What makes the "car of tomorow" so different?

Question

I have been away from NASCAR viewing for some time and I see this new car being raved about, but what exactly has changed? Is it the materials? or maybe the way the chasis is made? Anyone?..

Answer 1

Don't forget, it's uglier...

Answer 2

Look at the driver in the Nationwide cars (similar to the old cup cars) compared to the COT.  The driver has lots more headroom and is much further from the side.

Its wider, taller, and has foam in the side panels to help absorb impacts.

Answer 3

Everything is different.

The shape changed tremendously.  It is boxier and larger.

Wing/rear splitter

front splitter

Materials (including foam in doors)

Answer 4

jaynarie (sorry if I spelled it wrong) pretty much hit it right on the head. It is wider, taller, has a rear wing, has the stupid front splitter, boxxier, has foam in the door, the driver is moved right 4-5 inches, It is pretty much a truck with a car rear-end.

Answer 5

it is bigger and slower but safer... there are three inches of foam on each side of the car between the sheet metal and the roll cage bar....