IZOD IndyCar series this week approved Lotus’ request to modify multiple homologated parts to improve performance of its 2.2-liter, twin-turbocharged V6 engine pursuant to engine technical regulations established before the 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series season.

Engine development is frozen under series regulations, however a provision was made for any manufacturer to petition for a one-off dispensation to make changes if it could demonstrate that it was 2.5% down on power relative to the rest of the field.

Manufacturers must present data to support their case, which is reviewed along with relevant data collected by the sanctioning body’s engine support engineers. Manufacturers provide which components they seek to modify, along with projected gains and their scheduled introduction.

Photo: Lotus

Lotus’ first modification is scheduled to be introduced at a July 2 test at Mid-Ohio with the No. 78 Lotus-HVM Racing car driven by Simona de Silvestro.

Subsequent modifications are scheduled to be incorporated for the Honda Indy Toronto on July 6-8, the Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma (Aug. 26-28) and the Grand Prix of Baltimore (Sept. 2-4).

"Lotus has been working with outside engineering firms, in conjunction with Mr. John Judd and his enterprise (UK-based Engine Developments Ltd.),” Lotus IndyCar manager Olivier Picquenot said.

“The purpose is to get some outside help to assist in the new development plan for the Lotus engine. Everyone has been working well together and looking to make some quick progress in a concrete way.

“Now that the IndyCar Series has giving us permission to improve the engine performance, things will be moving soon.”