Red Bull Racing, a powerhouse in the Formula 1 scene, has officially unveiled its first production hypercar, the RB17, at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Offering a performance level akin to Grand Prix-winning machines, this track-exclusive hypercar stands out for granting unparalleled behind-the-scenes access to the world of Red Bull Racing.
Equipped with a ferocious 1,000-horsepower naturally aspirated V10 engine, supplemented by a 200-horsepower electric motor, the RB17 uses the power unit as a semi-stressed member of the chassis, reminiscent of F1 car engineering. Constructed with a two-seater carbon fiber monocoque, this beast weighs in at a mere 1,984 pounds and achieves up to 3,747 pounds of downforce.
The RB17 name originates from the confusion created by postponed rule changes in Formula 1 due to the pandemic. Initially, Red Bull’s car for the 2021 season was to be named RB17 but due to the extensive carryover work from the 2020 RB16, it was dubbed RB16B. Consequently, the name RB17 lay unused until now, with the current 2022 challenger being labeled RB18.
While the RB17 subtly nods to current Red Bull F1 aesthetics, it isn’t intended as a direct tribute to the team’s previous title-winning models. That said, design cues like the shape of the sidepods and rear diffuser draw inspiration from the current RB20 F1 car. This masterpiece was the brainchild of Adrian Newey, the legendary F1 designer.
“For many years I’ve toyed with the idea of taking on the challenge of designing my own hypercar, from concept to delivery and it’s been an incredible project and journey. It’s fantastic to finally be able to pull back the curtain and see the RB17 come to life. The RB17 hypercar embodies everything we stand for – undeniable power, speed and beauty. It’s highly adaptable in its capabilities and we’ve designed it as a two-seater so that you can enjoy the thrill of driving at F1 speeds with a friend or partner.”
The RB17 marks a significant milestone as Adrian Newey’s final project before his departure from Red Bull Racing. Only 50 units of the RB17 will be produced, each with a staggering price tag of $6 million. However, the steep price includes exclusive perks like track day events where owners can push their RB17s to the limit, simulator time, and invitations to team events.
This hypercar isn’t just a nod to superb engineering but also an entry into the inner circle of one of F1’s most dominant teams, embodying the brute power, speed, and elegance that Red Bull Racing is lauded for.
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