"Our goal is no less than for the 100th anniversary of the Indy 500 to be run exclusively with Swift chassis. We are very proud to release come of our conceptual designs today that were developed specifically for the 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series program. IndyCar fans love to see the engines and mechanical bits normally shielded behind bodywork. These concepts incorporate retro-styling cues that harkens to the 50s, 60s, and 70s IndyCar eras. Our wind tunnel tests have shown the engine cover has very little effect on aerodynamics compared to most other components on the car. We saw an opportunity to showcase the engine and other 'jewelry' while preserving efficiency with a much smaller fairing" - Swift's director of motorsports, Casper Van der Schoot
"As we listened to the IZOD IndyCar Series they also challenged us to help evolve the fan's racing experience. The Mushroom Buster will promote closer racing and passing, but we also wanted to help communicate the car's critical information in real time to the fans. To-that-end, we are pioneering a new lighting technology which we've dubbed 'SwiftLights'. SwiftLights will display car information like throttle, brake and fuel levels as well as race position. Our light sheets are made from a 1mm thick clear plastic which can be molded over complex shapes like an IndyCar's bodywork. Swiftlights are light-weight, efficient, inexpensive, safe and extremely bright. TV-like sheets have also been demonstrated with this technology, offering amazing possibilities for team and series sponsors" - Swift's chief Scientist, Mark Page
"Whatever our final IndyCar concept design Swift will incorporate its pioneering new technology to improve passing, which we've named 'Mushroom Busters' in reference to the mushroom shape of a car's aerodynamic wake signature. The 'busters' sweep up the wake behind the leading car, thus improving the handling of the following car. We have already effectively utilized Mushroom Busters in our Formula Nippon car design, the 017.n and believe we can now take the technology much further on the IndyCar" - Swift chief designer, Chris NorrisHuge thanks to Swift's Kanna Place for the information
2 comments:
Sorry, Casper old boy...the fans want competition - which means multiple chassis and engine manufacturers - not just one. Nevertheless, it is a great looking design. I like the exposed mechanicals and lighted roll hoop. The lights on the side pods? Not so much.
Paul said...
The car looks similiar to Swifts Formula Nippon car.. So maybe the technology is there for this design. I also think the "Swift lights" should just remain a concept. I also think IRL should be an open series. There is room for more than one chassis design and engine manufacture. Does anyone remember the last time Swift competed in IRL or CHAMP car? It had to have been about 10 years ago.
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