Chevrolet Debuts All-New 2015 IndyCar Aero Package Chevy-developed bodywork delivers improved aerodynamics

Back

INDIANAPOLIS – Chevrolet-powered racecars in the 2015 Verizon IndyCar Series will feature Chevrolet-developed aero packages.

Chevrolet introduced the road course/short oval body design today at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It is distinguished from the previous racecar with new front wing elements, sculpted side pods and a new rear wing.

A speedway configuration for the aero kit, designed for high-speed ovals, will be introduced ahead of its competitive debut at Indianapolis in May.

“This is an important milestone in Chevrolet’s involvement in IndyCar racing,” said Jim Campbell, General Motors U.S. vice president of Performance Vehicles and Motorsports. “We focused on developing an aerodynamic package that delivers an balanced combination of downforce and drag, along with integrated engine performance. It’s a total performance package.”

The new Chevy road course aero configuration delivers greater aerodynamic performance than the previous design.

“This new aero kit provides Chevrolet drivers the capability to enter and exit corners faster, while maintaining high speeds on the straights,” said Chris Berube, Chevrolet IndyCar program manager.

Development of Chevrolet’s new IndyCar aero package consisted of nine key phases:

Conducted baseline analysis of the “DW12” racecar aerodynamics

Established clear design goals for the new aero kit, which included making the most of downforce, drag and engine performance

Developed design concepts using computer-aided design (CAD)

Analyzed structural properties, using finite element analysis (FEA)

Simulated aerodynamic properties using computational fluid dynamics (CFD)

Produced test parts using rapid prototyping processes, such as 3D printing

Conducted testing of a 50-percent scale model in a rolling–road wind tunnel

Conducted testing of a full-scale racecar in a rolling-road wind tunnel

Conducted track testing of prototype aero kit on select race tracks, including Homestead-Miami Speedway, Circuit of The Americas (Austin, Texas), Texas Motor Speedway and Phoenix International Raceway.

“We took a clean-sheet approach to the aero kit, delivering an optimized and efficient design that should really give our Chevrolet teams an edge,” said Berube.

The road course configuration’s changes over the 2014 DW12 aero package are easily identified by major components, including:

Front wing that features new pedestal-mounted “front uppers” toward the outer edges

New sculpted “wheel wedges” in front of the rear tires

An engine cover and side pods that have more compact shapes, achieved through a revised turbocharger and exhaust system layout

New larger rear bumper pods

A multi-element upper rear wing, along with louvered end plates.

The all-new Chevrolet racecars will compete for the first time on March 29 at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Fla.

Fast fact:

Will Power drove his Team Penske Chevrolet to the Verizon IndyCar Championship in 2014, while teammates Helio Castroneves and Juan Pablo Montoya finished second and fourth in points, respectively. Scott Dixon and Tony Kanaan, from Chip Ganassi Racing Teams, finished third and seventh in points, respectively, giving Chevrolet five of the top seven places. Chevrolet claimed its third straight manufacturer title 2014 and has won it each year since re-entering IndyCar racing in 2012.

Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world's largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4.8 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging performance, design that makes the heart beat, passive and active safety features and easy-to-use technology, all at a value. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.