2010 DeltaWing IndyCar Concept

The design of the 2010 Deltawing IndyCar Concept is a departure from traditional vehicles we see every day. DeltaWing LLC Indianapolis introduced this concept as a test-bed for technological advancement in the automotive industry, directed primarily at a younger group of enthusiasts.

The form of the vehicle is unlike anything we have seen on the road to date. The design follows an ultra slim front track contour, meant to reduce weight and diminish aerodynamic drag. Fairings for the Firestone Firehawk tires avert wheel interlocking. Airflow remains undisturbed even during high velocity laps on the track, producing efficient downforce with negligible wake to guarantee the smallest loss in aerodynamic potential. This allows the DeltaWing Indycar Concept to overtake another vehicle on track, if ever the driver finds himself trailing behind. The inverted aerofoil or spoiler is substituted with a prominent tail fin to increase YAW stability and eliminate drag while speeding through straight-aways on the racetrack. The vehicle is a single-seater, true to the appeal of racecars on the track.

The prototype car is planned to rely on a 2.0 liter 4 cylinder turbocharged engine. This is estimated to produce around 300 horsepower at 7000 rpm. True to racecar tradition, the car will use a 6-speed oval transmission with paddle shift controls, or a 5-speed transmission with reverse. The focus of the concept is primarily on eliminating aerodynamic drag and epitomizing lighter mass and weight. The anticipated weight of the vehicle will be 1030 lbs including the driver. The car’s weight distribution is directed more toward the rear, with more than 70% of the mass carried by the hefty rear tires. This means that 80% of the downforce comes from the rear of the car, augmenting inline traction while the car accelerates using its rear tires. It is said that DeltaWing LLC will release the prototype by August 2010.