IndyCar - Famed Bowtie Engines To Power Andretti Autosport In 2012

DETROIT, Sept. 23, 2011: Andretti Autosport™ and Chevrolet announced today that the famed auto manufacturer will provide the Andretti Autosport™ entries with its new Chevy IndyCar V-6 racing engine. The announcement marks the reunion of two of racing's most famous brands for the 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series.

Andretti Autosport™, led by team owner and CEO Michael Andretti, has recorded 39 victories in the IZOD IndyCar Series dating back to the team's entry into IndyCar in 2003. In addition, Andretti Autosport™ has captured three driver championships and two Indianapolis 500 victories.

Chevrolet, a leader in motorsports for 100 years, has totaled 104 Indy car wins, including six series crowns and seven Indy 500 championships. The 2012 Chevrolet IndyCar V-6 will have an aluminum block and cylinder heads, direct injection and twin-turbochargers. The engine will also be a fully stressed chassis member supporting the gearbox and rear suspension.

The Andretti and Chevrolet brands were synonymous for many years in IndyCar racing with Michael and Mario collectively scoring the most wins (20) for Chevrolet from 1987 to 1991. In addition, Michael recorded the most Chevrolet wins in a season when he scored eight victories on the way to winning the 1991 CART/PPG IndyCar World Series championship. Mario earned Chevrolet's first IndyCar victory at Long Beach, California, in 1987.

"I am so excited to work with Chevy once again," said Andretti, the third winningest driver in IndyCar racing history. "We won 15 races and a championship with Chevy in just three years. The 1991 season was magical. Now, Andretti Autosport™ and our sponsors have the opportunity to win again with Chevrolet. This will prove to be a tremendous association. Chevrolet is committed to motorsports and they are proven winners."

Andretti made a point of thanking Honda for its long affiliation with the team.

"All of us want to thank Honda for many good years together, including 39 wins, two wins at the Indy 500, and for working with us to return street racing back to IndyCar in St. Petersburg and then again in Toronto, said Andretti. "Honda is largely responsible for providing a platform for multiple manufacturer competition to return and we are grateful for their contributions to the sport we love."

"We are very proud to announce that Andretti Autosport™ is now part of the Chevrolet family and that they will compete with Chevy's new twin-turbo V-6 beginning in 2012," said Jim Campbell, Chevrolet's vice president of Performance Vehicles and Motorsports. "Michael and his family have won many races for Chevrolet and we intend to continue winning with our new partnership. We are anxious to have Andretti Autosport™ begin testing the 2012 engine in the near future."

Direct injection and turbo-charging are fundamental elements of the 2012 IZOD IndyCar engine package, and both are key technologies in several powerful and fuel-efficient Chevrolet production cars today. Chevrolet's best-selling model, the new Cruze compact incorporates an Ecotec 1.4L turbo on LT, LTZ and Eco models. Its exhaust-driven turbocharger helps the engine perform like a larger engine when needed, but retains the efficiency of a small-displacement four-cylinder in most driving conditions. America's favorite sports car, the Camaro is equipped with a 3.6L direct-injected V-6 as standard equipment, delivering an estimated 30 mpg on the highway on LS and LT models. These are just two examples of key Chevrolet products powered with advanced engine technology, offering fun to drive performance and outstanding fuel efficiency.