Honda's engine for the 2005 IRL IndyCar Series is designated the HI5R Series Indy V-8. This engine is a development of the IRL Manufacturers' Championship-winning design created in partnership with Ilmor Engineering and introduced at the 2004 Indianapolis 500, when new IRL rules reduced the maximum engine displacement to 3.0 liters.
The HI5R is being used by all Honda-powered teams in the 2005 IRL IndyCar Series, with technical support to teams provided by Honda Performance Development and Ilmor Engineering, Inc.
Heading into Sunday's IndyCar season finale at California Speedway, Honda-powered drivers have won 11 of 16 races and already clinched their second consecutive IndyCar "Triple Crown", with Honda winning the Manufacturers' Championship, Dan Wheldon of Andretti Green Racing claiming the drivers' title and Danica Patrick of Rahal Letterman Racing securing the Rookie of the Year Award. Currently Honda powered drivers hold six of the top ten spots in the Drivers' Champion standings.
In 2004, Honda's second year in the IRL, the company posted an outstanding record of 14 race wins in 16 events, clinching the IndyCar Manufacturers' Championship at Kentucky Speedway, the 11th race in the series.
Andretti Green Racing driver Tony Kanaan won three times to claim the Drivers' Championship; his teammate Dan Wheldon also won three times, including at Honda's Twin Ring Motegi Circuit, to finish second in the title chase, while Dario Franchitti also posted two wins. Rahal Letterman Racing's Buddy Rice was third in the championship with three wins, including the Indianapolis 500. Fernandez Racing owner/driver Adrian Fernandez was another three-time race winner, and teammate Kosuke Matsuura was both Indianapolis 500 and IndyCar Series Rookie of the Year.
Specifications:
Engine type:
Normally aspirated, fuel-injected, aluminum alloy cylinder block V-8
Displacement:
3.0 liters (183.1 cubic inches)
Valve train:
Dual overhead camshaft, four valves per cylinder
Crankshaft:
Alloy steel, five main bearing caps
Pistons:
Forged aluminum alloy
Connecting rods:
Machined alloy steel
Engine management:
Motorola
Ignition system:
CDI
Lubrication:
Dry sump
Cooling:
Single water pump