Chevrolet confirmed their return to the IZOD IndyCar Series from 2012 season in partnership with Team Penske, and using an in-house developed twin-turbocharged, direct-injected V6 racing engine powered by renewable E85 ethanol fuel. The brand new racing Chevrolet will probably be in-built collaboration with Ilmor Engineering. Team Penske may also use this new V6 unit from 2012.

“Indianapolis Motor Speedway has been a proving ground for manufacturers since Louis Chevrolet, our co-founder, first raced here in 1909,” said Chris Perry, vice chairman of Chevrolet Marketing. “Our return to IndyCar as Chevrolet enters its centennial year is natural. Mutually this engine program will likely be a showcase for the efficient and robust engine technologies that parallel new Chevrolet vehicles just like the Camaro, all-new Cruze compact and Equinox crossover.”

Chevrolet competed previously in Indy-style competition as an engine manufacturer in 1986-93 and 2002-05 with V-8 engines, winning 104 races, powering six driver champions, and scoring seven Indianapolis 500 victories. The hot Chevrolet IndyCar engine program will reunite probably the most successful partnerships in motorsports when Team Penske introduces the Chevrolet engine in 2012. Team Penske previously tallied 31 open-wheel victories with Chevrolet engines, including four Indianapolis 500 wins.

“Our vision is to design, build and sell the sector’s best vehicles – and racing is likely one of the best the right way to showcase what we will be able to do,” said Tom Stephens, GM vice president, Global Product Operations. “Re-entering IndyCar racing might help us take our advanced engine technology to the higher bounds of what’s possible. And it’ll also provide a dynamic training ground for engineers, who’ll transfer the technologies we develop for racing to the goods we sell to our customers.

“GM has become a recognized leader in implementing direct-injection technology in both 4-cylinder and V-6 engines,” Stephens said. “Building in this foundation, our new partnership with Ilmor will give us much more opportunities to accelerate our advanced propulsion technology strategy. We’ll work to further increase performance, while using the least amount of fuel – and we’ll also the way to get probably the most out of E85 ethanol.”

The Chevrolet IndyCar V-6 can have a displacement of two.4 liters. The powerplant may have an aluminum block and cylinder heads, and could be a fully stressed chassis member supporting the gearbox and rear suspension. Technical details and specifications can be released at a later date.

“We’re excited to have engine manufacturer competition again within the IZOD IndyCar Series, beginning in 2012,” said Randy Bernard, CEO, INDYCAR. “Chevrolet brings a powerful passion for racing, technology, relevance and innovation, that’s an exceptional fit for our new car platform. We’re excited by the way forward for IndyCar racing with the addition of Chevrolet.”