Red Bull has unveiled its first-ever hypercar, the RB17, a limited-edition vehicle boasting a top speed of more than 350 kph (217 mph).
The unveiling took place at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in West Sussex. Designer Adrian Newey, the chief technical officer of the Red Bull Racing F1 Team, was on hand to provide insight into the process of bringing the hypercar to life.
One of the key points Newey mentioned was the importance of designing the hypercar as a two-seater so that "driving at F1 speeds" could be enjoyed with a friend or partner.
The RB17 features a two-seat carbon fiber monocoque chassis. The power comes from a semi-stressed mid-mounted V10 engine that can rev up to 15,000 rpm. The RB17 boasts 1,200 horsepower and a curb weight under 1,984 pounds.
The hypercar also includes a carbon fiber gearbox that drives the rear wheels.
Presenting the RB17 😍 Designed by Adrian Newey and Red Bull Advanced Technologies ✍️
Built on 20 years of #F1 innovation, the RB17 has over 1,000 horsepower and a V10 engine 💪 pic.twitter.com/WS53k958Pe
— Oracle Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) July 12, 2024
Red Bull Advanced Technologies designed, developed, and manufactured the hypercar entirely in-house as it paired "F1 levels of performance" with "indulgent luxury."
"We are excited to reveal the RB17 at Goodwood Festival of Speed, a project that is one of the most authentic and exciting that Red Bull Advanced Technologies has embarked upon to date," said Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner in a statement.
"With 20 years of legacy in the world of F1 to draw from, and as a performance-centered organization, it only made sense for us to design our own hypercar from the ground up. Combining technical innovation, achievement, and emotional appeal, the RB17 is a landmark car. I'm very proud of the team and am delighted to see it make its world debut. We expect the RB17 to be a future classic."
Obtaining this classic will not be a simple feat. Red Bull will only manufacture 50 RB17s. Customers who purchase an RB17 will have the opportunity to customize exterior paint color, interior materials, and many other details.
Red Bull will provide these customers with the opportunity to take part in a range of track events. Red Bull will also provide "one-of-a-kind driver development" and training.
"The RB17 is an amazing project that we are privileged to work on, and has allowed Red Bull Advanced Technologies to showcase our engineering, design, and technical capabilities and solutions," said Rob Gray, Red Bull Advanced Technologies technical director.
"We cannot wait to see the finished cars being enjoyed to the full on a racetrack by racing and automotive enthusiasts alike."