Lanzante Aims to Convert Red Bull RB17 Track Beast into Street-Legal Marvel

Lanzante to Create Road-Legal Version of the Red Bull RB17 Hypercar

A New Evolution in Hypercars

In a thrilling development for automotive enthusiasts, Lanzante has announced it will produce a road-legal version of the Red Bull RB17, a hypercar initially designed solely for the track. Production of the RB17 is set to begin in 2025.

From Concept to Road

Revealed as a concept only last week, the Red Bull RB17 has already captured the imagination of car aficionados. Designed by the legendary F1 engineer Adrian Newey, the RB17 aims to surpass the performance of current F1 race cars. Although Newey intended the RB17 to be a track-exclusive vehicle, Lanzante, known for making track cars street-legal, has accepted the challenge of converting this beast for road use.

Owner-Initiated Transformation

Lanzante disclosed that several future owners of the RB17 have already approached them with requests to develop a road-legal version. These conversations have accelerated the timeline, pushing the development of the road-worthy RB17 to start immediately.

Balancing Track Performance and Road Usability

A key principle behind this ambitious project is to retain the vehicle’s unparalleled track performance while making it compliant with road regulations. Lanzante is experienced in similar transformations, having previously made road-legal versions of the McLaren P1 GTR, Senna GTR, Pagani Zonda Revolution, and Huayra R. Just last week, they also revealed two new road-legal Porsche 935 tribute cars at the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Production Details and Challenges

While the final design of the RB17 remains under wraps, it’s worth noting that the concept revealed last week was a larger mock-up lacking an interior or a functional powertrain. The production version aims to be more compact and fully functional, powered by a Cosworth 4.5-liter V-10 engine capable of revving up to 15,000 rpm. An additional electric motor will provide extra power, torque fill, and functionality for first gear and reverse. The engine alone will deliver a staggering 1,000 horsepower, with an additional 200 horsepower from the electric motor.

Geographical Limitations

Lanzante has not specified the regions where the car will be road-legal. Given that both Red Bull and Lanzante are based in the UK, the vehicle might initially meet UK road standards, which are comparatively lenient for non-production cars due to single-vehicle approval rules. This simplicity may not extend to the US market, making it a challenge to comply with American regulations.

Exclusive Production Run

Only 50 units of the RB17 will be produced, adding an extra layer of exclusivity to this already extraordinary vehicle. According to Top Gear, the cost of converting the RB17 to a road-legal version will range between £250,000 and £500,000 (approximately $325,000 to $650,000). This is a fraction of the RB17’s expected price tag of about £5 million ($6.5 million).

Conclusion

Lanzante’s project to make the Red Bull RB17 road-legal is a testament to the evolving landscape of hypercar capabilities, blending unparalleled track performance with the practicality of road use. With only 50 units to be produced, the RB17 is set to become an icon, showcasing the ultimate synergy between racing technology and everyday drivability.

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Donald Smith, Editor of Automotive.fyi