Marko Hanželic
RB17 sounds like the name of the team's F1 racing car Red Bull Racing. However, the “RB16” model used in 2020 was replaced by the “RB16B” and RB18 models in the following seasons. In 2024 we will finally be able to see the “RB17”, but that it won't be a Formula 1 car. Instead, it will Red Bull used an alphanumeric label for hypercar.
Model RB17, initially announced for 2022, will be the company's work Red Bull Advanced Technologies, the engineering branch of the group Red Bull Racing Group. Mercedes-AMG's One and Aston Martin's Valkyrie rival has been signed by none other than an F1 engineer and designer Adrian Newey. In the latest episode of the company's podcast, he global technical director spoke at length about the long-awaited hypercar.
New hypercar, which was initially advertised with a twin-turbo V8 engine, will now be equipped with a naturally aspirated V10 engine that will rev up to screaming 15.000 rpm per minute. The internal combustion engine itself will produce just 1.000 horsepower, and in addition, it will be supplemented by an electric motor, which will provide additional 200 horsepower. And if that's not impressive enough, Newey said the engineering team is working to keep the vehicle's weight under 900 kilograms. For comparison: the easiest Mazda MX-5 Miata the ND generation was a special edition only for Japan, and it weighed 990 kg.
Red Bull RB17, which is described as one of the most aerodynamic cars ever, will be according to the words Newey achieved a lap time comparable to that of an F1 car. At a speed of 241 km/h (150 mph), it will be able to generate a deliberately limited maximum downforce of 1.700 kilograms. Surprisingly, at 120 mph (193 km/h), the pressure value will be equal to the car's mass.
This two-seater hypercar will have a more spacious cabin than the Valkyrie, especially in terms of legroom for taller people. Additional details released in the podcast reveal features such as active suspension and custom Michelin tires. Production will be limited to 50 examples, but it will be technical only 49 units available, as Newey is entitled to his specimen.
Red Bull it plans to conduct testing of various components in 2024, as the design and technical specifications have already been finalized. A life-size model will be launched this summer, but it will track testing won't start until 2025. Production of customer cars is expected to begin in 2026. Those 49 people lucky enough to be able to afford one will also receive training that will include using Red Bullof this F1 simulator.
Price? £ 5 million or approximately $ 6,3 million at current exchange rate and tax. The RB17 is labeled as a "racing car", but at Red Bullu, they have not yet announced whether the vehicle will also be allowed on normal roads.
