A technological leap for hybrid racing

The IR-28 marks a genuine step change for "The Fastest Racing on Earth": faster, approximately 100 pounds (45 kg) lighter than the current car, safer than any INDYCAR before it, and capable of breaking track records that have stood since 1996, including at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The new car will be powered by 2.4-liter twin-turbocharged V6 internal combustion engines from Chevrolet and Honda, producing up to 760 horsepower, combined with an evolved low-voltage hybrid system. This powertrain formula, high-output turbocharged combustion paired with battery-based hybrid deployment, is expected to considerably influence the future of hybrid motor racing globally.

At the heart of the hybrid evolution is the new platform developed with UK-based Helix and packaged inside the bellhousing. For the first time, the series moves from supercapacitors to a battery-based ESS. The BOLD system delivers approximately 14 times the energy storage capacity of the current solution, giving teams far greater flexibility in when and how they deploy hybrid power, a new strategic dimension for drivers, engineers and race strategists, while contributing to a power unit package that is approximately 20 pounds (9 kg) lighter than the previous generation.

The system is engineered and qualified to the most stringent motorsport safety standards, integrated into a car built to exceed INDYCAR or FIA specifications, whichever is more stringent.

The BOLD battery Energy Storage System for the IR-28: approximately 14x the energy storage capacity of the current supercapacitor-based system.

From Formula 1 to The Fastest Racing on Earth

BOLD develops advanced battery systems for Formula 1, aerospace and defense applications from its headquarters at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. The selection by INDYCAR brings that experience, battery systems engineered at cell, pack and software level and proven at the highest level of motorsport, to one of the most competitive racing series in the world, in front of one of its most passionate fanbases.

Growing in the United States

To support this program, as well as other defence programs currently under contract, BOLD is expanding its U.S. operations in Michigan, placing engineering and support capability at the heart of the American motorsport and mobility industry, close to INDYCAR teams and partners.

Bernat Carreras, Founder and CEO of BOLD, said: "INDYCAR is making a genuine technological leap with the IR-28, and we are proud our battery ESS is part of it. Moving from supercapacitors to a battery system with 14 times the storage capacity changes what teams can do strategically with hybrid power. Bringing our Formula 1 battery expertise to 'The Fastest Racing on Earth', and growing our presence in Michigan to support it, is exactly why we invested in this program." 

About BOLD

BOLD is a company headquartered at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in Montmeló (Barcelona), specialising in the design, development and manufacturing of high-performance battery systems and advanced energy storage, battery management systems (BMS) and AI-based intelligent energy management solutions, as well as applied engineering services. BOLD serves the motorsport, aerospace and defense sectors, currently provides engineering services to most Formula 1 teams, and is expanding its U.S. operations in Michigan.

About the IR-28 program

The IR-28 chassis is produced by Dallara and will debut in the 2028 NTT INDYCAR SERIES championship, powered by 2.4-liter twin-turbocharged V6 internal combustion engines from Chevrolet and Honda producing up to 760 horsepower, paired with an evolved low-voltage hybrid system. The hybrid platform is developed with Helix, with transmissions by Xtrac. BOLD supplies the battery-based Energy Storage System, the first in the history of the series.