Red Bull RB17 Hypercar Revealed, Looks Incredible!

SAUDI ARABIA : Red Bull has pulled the wraps off its new hypercar, the RB17, which boasts a massive V10 engine and looks stunning, to say the least. 

• The RB17 has been unveiled at the Goodwood Festival of Speed
• The man behind the stunning RB17, Adrian Newey, says that this car is actually quicker than an F1 car on a race track
• For now, just 50 units of this car will be produced 

The Red Bull RB17 is a striking hypercar that promises to be faster around a track than a Formula 1 car, according to its designer, Adrian Newey. Unveiled at the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed, the 1,200hp, V10-powered RB17 marks Newey’s final project before leaving Red Bull. Only 50 units of this hypercar will be manufactured.

Development of the RB17 began in 2021, with the first engine test on the dyno scheduled for later this year. The car is expected to undergo its initial track testing next summer.

The RB17 follows in the footsteps of the Aston Martin Valkyrie, the first road car extensively engineered by Newey during a now-ended partnership between Aston Martin and Red Bull. Unlike the Valkyrie, which was road-legal, the RB17 is designed exclusively for track use by a team of approximately 120 engineers at Red Bull Advanced Technologies.

The RB17 features advanced aerodynamics and suspension systems inspired by F1 technology, allowing for a high degree of adjustability. Despite its extraordinary performance capabilities, Newey aims for the carbon-fibre RB17 to be user-friendly and manageable, even for drivers with less experience.

Engine:

Engine	Output
Naturally aspirated hybrid V10	1000 HP

Initially, the RB17 was planned to be a four-wheel-drive vehicle with a twin-turbocharged V8 powering the rear wheels and an electric motor for the front wheels. That said, the brand decided to ultimately go for a high-revving, naturally aspirated V10 paired with a conventional hybrid system for the final car. 

The 1,000hp V10 engine can rev up to 15,000 rpm. The carbon-fibre transmission, derived from Red Bull’s F1 car, incorporates a 200 hp electric motor that aids performance, serves as a starter motor, reverse gear, and assists the car in moving from a standstill.

The RB17 weighs just 805kg in its lightest configuration, excluding features like air conditioning and a glass windscreen. Measuring about five metres long and two metres wide, it offers three tyre options developed with Michelin, including slicks that allow the car to reach its full performance potential, with a top speed exceeding 350kph.

Is it road legal?

Although the RB17 is not road-legal from the factory, Newey hinted that it could be modified for road use if desired. As a track-only car, it is not subject to road emissions and safety regulations, but it has been designed to meet LMH motorsport safety standards.

The RB17 is not intended for any existing racing series, so Red Bull will provide bespoke track days and experiences for customers. While F1 drivers like Verstappen will test the car on simulators to aid development, a wider range of drivers will also be invited to ensure the car’s accessibility and drivability.