Red Bull RB17 Debuts as A Hybrid V10-Powered Track Monster

The all-new Red Bull RB17 hypercar is powered by a 1,184 HP-rated hybrid V10 mill and weighs less than a ton.

Years after its initial announcement and several teasers later, Red Bull Advanced Technologies has finally unveiled its long-awaited hypercar model, known as the Red Bull RB17. Penned by renowned automotive designer Adrian Newey, the limited-production RB17 promises to deliver F1-rivalling track performance, thanks to its high-revving hybrid powertrain setup and intricate aerodynamics.

Touted as the natural successor to the Aston Martin Valkyrie, which was also spearheaded by Newey, the RB17 unveiled at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed appears to be the final prototype version, which explains its rather radical-looking design. However, RB promises that the real-deal hypercar won’t look that different from its prototype twin, and it may even come with a conversion kit that makes it street-legal.

Back to the prototype, all the vents and sculpted carbon fibre bodywork are designed meticulously for maximum aerodynamic performance. According to Red Bull, the RB17 can generate up to 1,700 KG of downforce, which pairs with its hybrid V10-powered mill for a V-Max of up to 350 KM/H.

The RB17 is powered by a hybrid V10 mill built by Cosworth that delivers 1,184 HP.

More details on the RB17’s hybrid powertrain setup, this Cosworth-developed 4.5-litre nat-asp V10 mill produces 986 HP by itself while being able to rev at up to 15,000 RPM. Paired with a single hybrid electric motor rated at 197 HP, the RB17 boasts a total system output of 1,184 HP, which is very potent considering the whole car weighs less than a tonne at 900 KG.

Initially touted to be an all-wheel drive (AWD) hypercar powered by a twin-turbo V8 mill, the RB17 instead gets a closer drivetrain setup as the Formula One car, with all its power being sent to the rear wheels (RWD) via an automatic transmission. Staying close to its F1 roots, the RB17 also features an F1-like pushrod damper setup, carbon brakes, and three tyre options developed specifically by Michelin.

Red Bull only plans to produce 50 examples of the extreme RB17 hypercar from its Milton Keynes production facility, with each one of them featuring extensive customisation options and many bespoke details. While it is rumoured to have a price tag exceeding the £5 million (RM30 million approx.) mark, all 50 units have reportedly been spoken for.

Speaking to Autocar UK, Newey said the goals for the RB17 are for the car to look great, sound great, while allowing drivers to enjoy it as much as they can despite their driving capabilities. The technical director also added that at its optimum performance, the RB17 may be capable of matching F1 lap times, provided that it is driven by a master driver like reigning F1 world champion Max Verstappen.

With Newey already confirming his departure from his current position with the Red Bull F1 team, the RB17 hypercar will be a perfect swansong for this coveted automotive designer, which also reflects all his successes with this energy drink-based outfit.