The Breakdown:
- Red Bull has started the final assembly of the first RB17 hypercar.
- It will begin circuit and development sessions ‘within a few weeks.’
- Deliveries begin next spring.
Red Bull’s RB17 hypercar is one step closer to reality. The company has started the final assembly of the first unit, with deliveries expected to begin next spring.
In an interview with Autocar, the car’s program chief, Rob Bray, said Red Bull will begin conducting testing and development sessions "within a few weeks." Red Bull introduced the track-only, Adrian Newey-designed hypercar at the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Powering the RB17 is a Cosworth-developed, naturally aspirated 4.5-liter V12. It revs to 15,000 rpm and delivers 1,000 horsepower, but it’s not alone in powering the hypercar. The RB17 is a hybrid, with a 200-hp electric motor in the Xtrac gearbox cranking the car’s total output to 1,200 hp.
The car is expected to weigh just under 2,000 pounds and reach 220 miles per hour. The RB17 can generate up to 3,747 lbs of downforce, which Red Bull had to curtail at speeds above 93 mph to avoid overloading the tires.
The car’s design has changed since Red Bull revealed it nearly two years ago. It now features a central spine over the engine cover, which helps increase downforce on the rear wing.
Motor1’s Take: Adrian Newey is no longer at Red Bull, but this is his creation. It's quite the car to come from a company that got its start with energy drinks. What's next?
Source: Autocar
