Bird of the Future: Indy’s Delta Wing Concept

We don’t ordinarily step over into the race car realm, but this one was just so striking and outlandish there’s no way we’d let it slip by without a quick post. The machine above is a new concept designed by Indy execs and positioned to show the potential future of IndyCar. The Delta Wing promises a top speed around 235 mph, and it promises to do it while cutting fuel consumption by about 50 percent over what other cars are doing now.

The vehicle runs on ethanol and uses carbon fiber construction to weigh in at a feather-light 1,030 pounds (with driver). The four-cylinder engine puts out 300 hp while the funky, jet-like design brings the drag coefficient down to 0.24. Engineers were able to create the narrow, bullet-shaped front end because the majority of the downforce exists on the back of the car, keeping it glued to the pavement while the front does the steering.

Could this be the next Indy car? We’ll have to wait and see; plans are to get a prototype running on tracks by August. All we have now is the simulation below. [via MotorAuthority and Jalopnik]