A hypercar which the Red Bull engineer Adrian Newey claims to be faster than a F1 car around a racetrack, the RB17. Unveiled at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, gets a hybrid V10 made by Cosworth which makes 1,200PS and is limited to only 50 units worldwide. The RB17 is a track only model which can be converted to road-use as one wishes.
The RB17 is designed by Adrian Newey, the same man who is responsible for designing the cars which have led Max Verstappen to 61 podium finishes and the V12 powered Aston Martin Valkyrie. Both the Valkyrie and RB17 share an intense focus on aerodynamics and having a monstrous powertrain.
The RB17 is built around a carbon fibre monocoque chassis and gets a mid-mounted 4.5L naturally aspirated V10 which makes 1,000PS of power and redlines at a whopping 15,000rpm. The Cosworth built engine is aided by an electric motor which makes 200PS of power making a grand total of 1,200PS and puts the power to the rear wheels by a 6-speed carbon fibre sequential gearbox. The transmission is developed in-house and the e-motor is used for the first and reverse gear. Despite having such a tremendous amount of power, the car weighs less than 900kg !
Red Bull says the RB17 can set lap times equivalent to that of the F1 cars and can achieve a top speed of more than 350kmph. The RB17 gets active pushrod suspension at each corner with active height and roll control. Red Bull is also working with the tyre manufacturer Michelin to develop three different tyre compounds for the car. The car also gets hydraulically assisted power steering for better handling and carbon brakes on all corners to stop the behemoth on its heels.
A crucial factor to have lap times equivalent to a F1 car is aerodynamics. Like Newey’s previous creation the Valkyrie, the RB17 gets a bodywork which hides a series of channels and tunnels that allow the air to flow through the car. The rear wing sits low and wraps around a massive rear diffuser. Both the front and rear wings feature active elements, and Red Bull is aiming for 1,700kg of downforce at 240kmph.
Red Bull aims to have the RB17 to have its track-debut by next summer and is currently being perfected on the dynamometer. Each car will be completely bespoke, and owners will be invited to a series of track days at the world’s premier circuits. If you wish to own one, be ready to shell out a mammoth figure of £6 million or ₹65 crore.
