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V8 Supercars Car of the Future at Sydney Telstra 500

The 2013 Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon V8 Supercars will introduce a new platform with independent rear suspension, a new transaxle differential, revised transmissions and more safety.


Two new prototypes were unveiled earlier today, showcasing the new platform that will be implemented in full by the 2013 season. The new platform will be used for at least 10 years into the future. Chairman of the V8 Supercar series and legend of the sport Mark Skaife says the Car of the Future architecture has been designed to relate more directly with the production vehicles.

Various aspects of the next-generation V8 Supercar chassis will be revised. The layout, in prototype form at least, consists of a safer roll cage system that has been designed to offer a better centre of gravity and provide side intrusion protection similar to that of a NASCAR sprint car.

The chassis also accommodates a relocated fuel cell. With the new-generation cars, the cell is placed just in front of the rear differential, rather than behind, giving plenty of space between it and the rear frame of the car. This was designed to eradicate the potential fire hazard during a rear-end collision.

The new cars are expected to be not only safer, but a lot quicker than the today's racers, thanks to the all-new independent rear suspension system, a new larger wheel and brake package, and, according to Skaife, a weight saving of 100kg from the current cars' weight.

All the V8 fans need not worry about what’s under the bonnet; it’s still a meaty V8. And from the sound of it during a quick demonstration, it’s just a loud and crackly as the current one.

The 2012 season will be the last to use the current V8 Supercar platform, with this new version to be used by all teams by 2013.

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