Penske Entertainment revealed its proposed 2027 IndyCar design to team owners during a private teleconference in October, sparking significant discussion about the future direction of the series' chassis design.

Team owners who viewed the rendering described it as a modest evolution of the current Dallara DW12, featuring a Formula 2-style rear wing. Several owners expressed desire for a more revolutionary design approach, citing Adrian Newey's Red Bull X1 concept as an aspirational example.

The 2027 chassis will be manufactured by Dallara as a spec vehicle, with Penske Entertainment considering carrying over many DW12 mechanical components to reduce costs. This approach could limit design flexibility due to fixed attachment points, though abandoning carryover parts could enable more creative freedom.

Key points from team owners' feedback:

• Meyer Shank Racing's Michael Shank advocates for a "clean sheet design" that attracts attention outside IndyCar
• Dale Coyne Racing's Dale Coyne believes the current concept lacks modern appeal
• Bobby Rahal emphasizes overall visual appeal over technical details
• Chip Ganassi stresses function over form in the design process
• McLaren's Zak Brown offers their design team's assistance, citing successful F1 collaboration

The current DW12 chassis, introduced in 2012, has undergone four major updates including manufacturer aero kits (2015-2017), Universal Aero Kit '18, aeroscreen implementation (2020), and hybrid powertrain integration (2024). By retirement, it will have served at least 15 seasons.

Penske Entertainment CEO Mark Miles emphasizes that the design process remains ongoing, with cost considerations balanced against innovation. The company continues to gather feedback and refine the concept before finalizing the 2027 design.

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