About Ilmor

At Ilmor, we are passionate about pushing the boundaries of what is technologically possible. Our continuous drive to maximize both power and simplicity led us to many great successes, especially in motorsports.

Vision statement

at ilmor Engineering

We are committed to continuously improving and adapting high-performance powertrains for a more efficient and sustainable future.

Making the

IMPOSSIBLE POSSIBLE

At Ilmor, we are passionate about pushing the boundaries of what is technologically possible. Our continuous drive to maximise both power and simplicity led us to many great successes, especially in motorsports.

HIGH-STAKES

ENGINEERING

We create powertrains and components for the world’s leading companies. We are known for our ability to innovate under immense pressure and when the stakes are high.

Our unique approach to problem solving, together with our decades of expertise and state-of-the-art facilities, enables us to quickly discover solutions to our clients’ most challenging problems.

We strive to get the best results in the most efficient way possible, an aim which has led us to win championships and develop the future of eMobility and other technologies.

Our

History

1984

Ilmor was founded by Mario Illien, Paul Morgan and Roger Penske, initially to design, develop and manufacture an IndyCar engine.

1987

With the backing from General Motors under the Chevrolet banner it quickly became successful in IndyCar racing, taking its first win at Long Beach in 1987 with Mario Andretti.

1988

In 1988 Ilmor achieved the milestones of its first Indianapolis 500 with Rick Mears and CART championship with Danny Sullivan.

1989

After repaying the loans from Penske and GM Ilmor started with the design of a Formula 1 engine initially for the F1 Leyton House Team and later for March and Tyrrell.

1990

1990 saw the Ilmor business expand to the USA with the establishment of Ilmor Engineering Inc. in Plymouth Michigan to provide engine build and trackside support for the supply of IndyCar engines.

1993

In November 1993 Mercedes-Benz announced their collaboration with Ilmor, providing the financial backing for the V10 engine supply to Sauber

1994

The Mercedes 500I Indy V8 dominated the Indy 500 was on Pole and won the race. After the one race success the engine was banned.

1995

Mercedes-Ilmor began the successful collaboration with the McLaren Formula 1 team which continued for 19 years.

1995

Race car driver pointing to the distance

Ilmor achieved its 100th IndyCar win Emerson Fittipaldi driving for Penske at Nazareth Speedway.

1997

In Melbourne at the first race of the season David Coulthard took the first Formula 1 win for an Ilmor designed powertrain.

1998

In 1998 and 1999 Mika Hakkinen drove an Ilmor designed powertrain to win the Formula 1 World Championship.

1998

In 1998, the decision was made to broaden the Ilmor business base and a separate offshoot began to grow, first around a project to produce components for Roger Penske's NASCAR team.

2001

In 2001, Ilmor began to develop the GM IRL engine, which led to a speculative engine design for the 2003 rules and the beginning of the relationship with Honda until 2011.

2001

On 12th May 2001 Ilmor Engineering Ltd lost Paul Morgan in a plane accident.

2004

The IndyCar engine for Honda dominated the 2004 and 2005 season and became the sole supplier for the IRL IndyCar series between 2006 and 2011.

Ilmor started a development partnership with a new Formula 1 Engine supplier which resulted in both the drivers and manufacturers championships.

Ilmor embarked on a new IndyCar partnership with General Motors, bringing the Chevrolet brand back to the IndyCar series to compete with Honda and Lotus.

2012

2017

2019

2015

In 2005, the Formula 1 division of Ilmor was sold to Mercedes-Benz. Ilmor continued to design and manufacture the Honda IndyCar engine used exclusively in the IRL IndyCar series.

In 2019, Ilmor reached the milestone of 21 successful Indy 500 wins with Simon Pagenaud driving for Penske.

A race car winner standing victorious on his car

Co-Development of OEM Factory Formula 1 Engine.

2005

In 2022, Ilmor surpassed 350 wins in all IndyCar series. In the same year, Ilmor also achieved their 23rd IndyCar Manufacturers and 21st IndyCar Drivers Championship.

2022