Red Bull has unveiled the RB17 hypercar which is remarkably built by design guru Adrian Newey.
Red Bull has revealed the RB17 hypercar under the direction of Chief Technical Officer Adrian Newey marking his last design project with the team ahead of his departure at the end of the year.
The car has sparked a great deal of anticipation as Newey masterfully integrates several of his Formula 1 breakthroughs into the car which is set to be revealed to the public during the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
The RB17 hypercar boasts a semi-stressed mid-mounted naturally aspirated V10 that redlines at 15,000 rpm, producing laptimes equivalent to its F1 predecessor as its top speed goes over 218 mph (350 kph), yet it weighs less than 900 kg.
The RB17 produces up to 1700 kilos/ 3,747 pounds of downforce as the body integrates wheel wake management systems to streamline airflow around the tires, enhancing aerodynamic efficiency. Both the front and rear wings feature active elements that can dynamically adjust downforce levels to suit several track settings.
Only 50 of the cars will be produced to sell at a £5 million price tag, but the demand is so high that all units are believed to have already been pre-ordered.
The unveiling comes as Red Bull celebrates its 20th anniversary in Formula 1, a prestigious milestone that not only commemorates two decades of racing excellence but also marks the brand’s entry into the world of road cars.
“We are excited to reveal the RB17 at Goodwood Festival of Speed, a project that is one of the most authentic and exciting that Red Bull Advanced Technologies has embarked upon to date,” Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said.
“With 20 years of legacy in the world of F1 to draw from, and as a performance centred organisation, it only made sense for us to design our own Hypercar from the ground up. Combining technical innovation, achievement and emotional appeal, the RB17 is a landmark car.
“I’m very proud of the team and am delighted to see it make its world debut. We expect the RB17 to be a future classic.”
Newey – who will leave the energy drink giant’s employ in a few months’ time – added: “I had been mulling around the idea to take on the challenge to design our very own Hypercar, from concept to delivery, for many years and it has been a magnificent project and journey.
“For it to finally be the day we pull the covers off and see the birth of the RB17, is truly remarkable.
“The RB17 Hypercar embraces everything we stand for: undeniable power, speed and beauty. It is very adaptable in its abilities, and we made sure to design it as a two-seater so that the thrill of driving at F1 speeds can be enjoyed with a friend or partner.”
Red Bull has guaranteed that every RB17 buyer will be welcomed into the Red Bull family and receive a full customer journey that includes the opportunity to drive on some of the iconic circuits in the world.
Clients have the option to pick their preferred interior materials, exterior paint colours, among other features. They will also receive driver development training and have their cars customized to meet their specifications.
