IndyCar Series To Drop Cylinders, Add Turbos For 2011

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The current naturally-aspirated 3.5-liter V8 Honda engines used in Indy cars will be long gone come 2011. In their place will be either six- or four-cylinder mills boosted by one or two turbochargers. The changes will be discussed in a meeting next month at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, but for now there's some debate as to which type of engine should be used. Erik Berkman, president of Honda Performance Development, said:

"(the debate) is over four (cylinders) or six... But both of them include turbos," Barnhart said... One of them includes twin turbos."

We're assuming that means the decision is between either a twin-turbo four-banger or a single-turbo V6. But who knows? Maybe they're considering a twin-turbo V6. Allegedly, the reason for all the change is to stay relevant with fans and to increase fuel economy. We think Honda is just fishing for some competition. [GreenCarCongress]

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