1184 Bhp Red Bull RB17 Hypercar Revealed; Gets 15,000 Rpm V10 Engine

After years of hearing about it, Red Bull has finally revealed the RB17 hypercar. The track-only hypercar, limited to just 50 units, has been designed by Red Bull’s Adrian Newey. The RB17 has a two-seater layout and a carbon fibre monocoque chassis but the highlight is the engine. 

Powering the RB17 is a mid-mounted 4.5-litre naturally-aspirated V10 engine, co-developed by Cosworth, that redlines at a colossal 15,000 rpm and produces over 986 bhp. Assisting the engine is a 197 bhp electric motor. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a six-speed carbon fibre sequential gearbox.

Red Bull also claims that the RB17 will weigh under 900 kg and have a top speed of over 350 kmph. Red Bull also claims that its hypercar will have lap times with similar levels of performance on the track as Formula 1 cars. 

Similar to a Formula 1 car, the RB17 has a carbon-fibre monocoque chassis that uses the engine as a stressed member. This means that the engine is an integral part of the rigidity of the chassis. 

As the car has been designed by aerodynamic genius Adrian Newey, you can see a lot of aerodynamic elements in the Red Bull RB17. Newey was also crowned the 2024 World Car Person of the Year. The RB17 looks like a Formula 1 car with a covered roof and one extra seat. The front is extremely streamlined with two light bars in the front and exposed double wishbone suspension, like in a Formula 1 car. The RB17 is extremely long and very short in height with a roof scoop to improve air flow. It also gets Formula 1-style aero discs for the alloy wheels. As standard it will get 18-inch wheels but they can be upgraded for 20 inchers as well. 

At the back are a humongous diffuser and a wide rear wing, which are designed for extreme aerodynamics. The front diffuser and the rear wing also get active elements to increase downforce while on the move. The RB17 is claimed to double its weight in downforce, which means it can develop more than 1.8 tonnes of downforce. 

Since this is a pre-production concept that debuted at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the interior has not been revealed. However, expect it to be no less radical than the exterior. The cabin looks small from the outside so it remains to be seen how Red Bull has managed the layout. 

Adrian Newey, Group Chief Technical Officer, Red Bull Advanced Technologies, said, “I had been mulling around the idea to take on the challenge to design our very own Hypercar, from concept to delivery, for many years and it has been a magnificent project and journey. For it to finally be the day we pull the covers off and see the birth of the RB17, is truly remarkable.” The RB17 is Newey’s final project for Red Bull before he leaves the brand in 2025.