Adrian Newey just spilled the beans on his new Red Bull RB17 hypercar, and it's shaping up to be quite a beast. Forget the twin-turbo V8 that many expected; this bad boy is rocking a naturally aspirated V10, cranking out a whopping 1,000 horsepower and revving up to 15,000rpm. Why the throwback to the ‘90s Formula 1 monsters? Newey says it's all about that nostalgic vibe, and frankly, we're saying yes to that.
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In a recent Red Bull podcast, Newey spilled more details. The V10 will get a boost from a little electric motor, adding around 200bhp. This electric sidekick's job is to handle the first and reverse gears, making torque delivery smoother and gear changes a breeze.
Red Bull's aiming for a svelte 900kg kerbweight, which is already impressive. But here's the kicker - the downforce is capped at 1.7 tonnes. Newey claims the RB17 hits peak downforce at 150mph, with the weight pushing down like crazy by 120mph. So, in just 30mph, it's gaining 800kg of downforce. Sounds nuts, right?
To keep those tires intact under all that force, Red Bull joined forces with Michelin for specially designed rubber for the RB17.
Now, here's the cool part. Newey claims this hypercar is one of the most aerodynamically efficient ever, thanks to a blown diffuser and multifunctional active suspension. Despite its complexity, it's supposed to be more comfortable than today's Formula 1 or LMP1 racers.
And the endgame? Newey wants the RB17 to hit Formula 1 lap times. Ambitious, but this guy's track record (pun intended) includes over 200 GP wins and 12 constructors' championships, so who are we to doubt him?
Surprisingly, Newey also wants this beast to be forgiving. He's invested time in making the RB17 user-friendly, including a multifunction active suspension that lets drivers tweak grip balance between axles for adaptability.
If you're worried about fitting into this hypercar, fear not. Newey promises more legroom than the Aston Martin Valkyrie, a car he also had a hand in. And for the lucky 49 folks snagging one of these, Red Bull throws in training packages with simulator access before delivery.
The RB17 is gearing up for a summer 2024 preview, with testing throughout 2025. Production models are expected in 2026, possibly making a grand entrance at the 2025 Austrian Grand Prix.
Red Bull is even throwing in track day packages for RB17 owners, featuring venues like Silverstone, Spa Francorchamps, and Suzuka. It seems Red Bull's dive into road cars, with Newey at the helm, might just birth the craziest car ever. Buckle up, folks.