The Red Bull RB17 has officially been revealed after years of development, showcasing the company’s first hypercar and a significant shift from its original powertrain plans. Designed to bring Formula 1-inspired engineering to a road car, the RB17 now features a naturally aspirated V10 paired with hybrid technology instead of the twin-turbo V8 initially proposed.
RB17 Project Reaches Production Stage
Red Bull Advanced Technologies first announced the RB17 project in 2022, saying it planned to build its first hypercar with 1,250 horsepower and an estimated price of about $6 million.
The vehicle was designed by Adrian Newey, while then-team principal Christian Horner said it would be unveiled by 2024. Although Newey and Horner are no longer associated with the company, development continued, and the car has now been officially revealed four years after the project’s announcement.
Powertrain Changed During Development
Early reports indicated the RB17 would be powered by a twin-turbocharged V8. The production version instead adopts a naturally aspirated V10 developed by Cosworth and supported by electrification.
According to Cosworth Commercial Director Chris Willoughby, the development team evaluated multiple engine configurations because low-volume manufacturers producing fewer than 1,000 vehicles annually have the flexibility to choose from a wide range of powertrain options.
Speaking to Motor1, Willoughby said:
“That freedom was a little bit of a problem, because when you come to looking at the alternative engine configurations and the design, and how it integrates with the car, you don’t have anything to sort of crystallize ideas around. We went through pretty much every single engine. We had V6 turbos, we had V12s… and the only way to really decide what’s best is to go into each configuration in a fair amount of detail in the analysis.”
Why Red Bull Selected a Naturally Aspirated V10
Red Bull said the decision between turbocharged and naturally aspirated power was a difficult one. The naturally aspirated configuration was ultimately chosen because of its throttle response, as turbocharged engines do not deliver torque as immediately.
Willoughby also noted the appeal of the V10’s sound, making it the preferred solution for the project.
Performance Specifications
The RB17 is powered by a 4.5-liter naturally aspirated V10 that revs to 15,000 rpm. The engine produces 1,200 horsepower and 811 lb-ft of torque, with additional output provided by an electric motor.
Power is delivered through a six-speed sequential transmission.
Limited Production
The Red Bull RB17 is expected to carry a price of about $6.7 million, with production limited to just 50 examples.
The completed hypercar marks the culmination of a project first announced in 2022, bringing Red Bull Advanced Technologies’ Formula 1-inspired engineering into its first production hypercar.
