Ford and Holden have unveiled their “Cars of the Future,” the high performance machines that will form the basis of their V8 Supercar challenges starting in 2013, in Sydney last week. The three-year project, which has been led by five-time series champion Mark Skaife and a team of experienced V8 technical personnel, aims to reduce costs, improve safety and draw more manufacturers into the series.
For the entire history of V8 Supercar racing, all cars have featured a live axle rear suspension layout. The IRS system will improve handling, and power-down acceleration. The V8 Supercar Car of the Future also features larger diameter wheels to accommodate a larger braking package. This will improve the car’s speed out on the track, and cut lap times. Also helping to improve the 2013 V8 Supercar’s performanc is extensive weight reduction. According to Skaife, the new cars have lost 100kg in weight compared with the current crop of V8 Supercars. Other major changes include a new chassis architecture that has been set up more similar to the production vehicles. The current V8 Supercars feature a fuel cell behind the rear axle. With the new cars, it’s now in front just like on many road cars, providing increased safety and the centre of gravity. The V8 Supercar Car of the Future prototypes also feature a new Australian-made MoTeC ECU, an Australian Albins transaxle transmission, and a new “NASCAR-like” side intrusion roll cage system.
As for the engine, it’s still a V8, thankfully, however, the engine has been placed further back in the engine bay towards the cabin to also improve the centre of gravity and handling.
