Officially unveiled in July at the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed, the Red Bull “RB17” is a track-only hypercar with enclosed wheels, boasting 1,200 horsepower and designed to offer private customers the driving thrill typically reserved for Formula 1 cars.
From the track, for the track. This philosophy captures the design journey behind the Red Bull “RB17,” the first hypercar by the Austrian brand presented at the Goodwood Festival of Speed 2024, held in England from July 11 to 14. The “RB17” is crafted to bring the excitement of Formula 1 to private clients, representing a track-focused machine with enclosed wheels, limited to only 50 units. Designed by a team of 120 Red Bull engineers led by Adrian Newey, it incorporates the most advanced motorsport technologies. While innovative, the RB17 is also engineered for usability, allowing even less experienced drivers to gradually master its extreme performance and, potentially, achieve lap times close to those set by Red Bull’s Formula 1 cars.
To optimize power control, Red Bull’s engineers opted for a naturally aspirated 4.5-liter Cosworth V10 engine, capable of reaching up to 15,000 rpm and delivering a maximum of 1,000 horsepower. Weighing under 150 kilograms, this engine doubles as a structural component of the chassis, helping achieve a total vehicle weight of only 900 kilograms when combined with the two-seater carbon monocoque. The engine is paired with a six-speed sequential transmission made of carbon fiber, similar to the one used in Red Bull’s Formula 1 cars, and integrates a 200-horsepower electric motor. This electric unit also serves as a starter motor and reverse gear, but its primary function is to assist the combustion engine, allowing the car to exceed 350 km/h.
Additional performance features include adjustable pushrod suspension with active height and roll control, a lift mode for navigating low-speed obstacles, and advanced aerodynamics that generate up to 1,700 kilograms of downforce—nearly twice the car’s weight. This remarkable downforce, achieved through sophisticated airflow management around the wheels and active front and rear spoilers, adapts to driving conditions to ensure stability and grip at high speeds.
