Mercedes-Benz Indy V8 engine
The Mercedes-Benz Indy V8 engine, known as the Ilmor 265-D, and later the Mercedes-Benz IC108, is a powerful, turbocharged, 2.65-liter, Indy car racing V-8 engine, specially designed, developed, and built by Ilmor, in partnership and collaboration with Mercedes-Benz, to compete in the Championship [Auto Racing Teams|CART series]; between 1994 [PPG Indy Car World Series|1994] and 2000.
Background
The 265-D engine was introduced for the 1994 PPG Indy [Car World Series|1994 season], which replaced the 265-C, although some of the smaller teams still ran the "C" throughout 1994. Without badging support, the engines were referred to simply as the "Ilmor-C" and the "Ilmor-D". This engine was said to produce about more than the Ford-Cosworth XB used at the time.In 1995, Mercedes-Benz became the badging manufacturer for the Ilmor Indy car engines. The engine continued to be a strong contender on the CART circuit. In 1996 [Indy Racing League season|1996], the open-wheel "split" began between CART and the IRL. Ilmor primarily was a provider for CART-based teams, and did not provide engines for any full-time IRL teams. At the 1996 [Indianapolis 500|1996 Indy 500], the Ilmor Mercedes-Benz D was used by Galles Racing, and finished second, the powerplant's one and only start in an IRL-sanctioned race. When the IRL switched to normally aspirated engines for 1997, the 265s were no longer permitted in the IRL and the Indy 500, and from that point on raced in the CART series exclusively.