For most people, Red Bull is a brand that peddles energy drinks and clever advertisements, although some know about its Formula 1 and extreme sports exploits. And then there’s the select few who have heard of the RB17, a track-only sports car that the brand has been working on for over two years. All of that effort will come to fruition this weekend when the hypercar makes its official showcase debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, where attendees will be able to see it take on the hill climb under its own naturally aspirated power. Head-to-head comparisons with the Ford GT Mk II and GMA T.50s can’t be far off.
It’s Almost Prime Time
Red Bull RB17 HypercarRed Bull
The RB17 has been in development since 2024, during which time Red Bull Advanced Technologies (RBAT) had identified the design and engineering specs for the car. Its aerodynamic, closed-wheel shape echoes that of Le Mans Daytona and Hypercar racers, although since it is unconstrained by the rules and restrictions of a particular racing series, it produces far more power. A naturally aspirated 4.5-liter V10 sourced from the gurus at Cosworth will form the basis of the powertrain, which combines with a hybrid propulsion system for a total of 1,200 horsepower.
Red Bull RB17 HypercarRed Bull
RBAT targeted a sub-2,000-pound weight for the RB17, although the company didn’t confirm if it had reached that goal. Nevertheless, the track rat will almost assuredly be a hoot to drive, its V10 screaming to a 15,000-rpm redline that’s almost unheard of in any four-wheeled vehicle save the V8- and V10-powered Formula 1 greats of the 1990s and 2000s. Red Bull also says the RB17 will be capable of a top speed of 217 miles per hour, and its lap times should be equivalent to those of the brand’s current RB22 F1 racer. Of note, the hypercar’s specs sound suspiciously similar to those of the Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR Pro, whose Cosworth-sourced, naturally aspirated, and hybridized V12 engine also makes 1,200 hp – Aston Martin did turn to Red Bull for help building it, so that could be why.
After its dynamic debut at Goodwood, the RB17 will enter final testing, where the “full performance envelope [will be] explored in dedicated track environments later this year.” After that, we presume the hypercar will start arriving in customers’ hands, with a limited run of cars coming with a $6 million–plus price tag.
Some Heavy-Hitting Drivers
Red Bull RB17 HypercarRed Bull
Like its sister company Red Bull Racing, the RBAT RB17 will be a magnet for talent during its Goodwood premiere. Four drivers will alternate turns behind the wheel, including its own F1 driver Isack Hadjar, test and reserve driver Yuki Tsunoda, and Racing Academy Programme driver Alisha Palmowski. RB17 designer (and RBAT’s former chief technological officer) Adrian Newey will also enjoy a stint behind the wheel of his pet project.
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The Red Bull hypercar will be limited to track-only driving, although the specialists at Lanzante Limited have a plan to turn the RB17 into something that can legally be driven on UK roadways. Regardless, the automaker will still provide many opportunities for owners to sample their cars’ performance, with tailored driver development and track events planned all over the world. Not only will Red Bull sell you the car, they’ll also teach you how best to drive it.
CarBuzz Insight – Why This Matters:
Close
The arrival of a $6 million hypercar that’s limited to just 50 units probably won’t matter much to most consumers or auto enthusiasts. The chances of the RB17 being witnessed by the plebeian masses are virtually nil, especially since the car isn’t officially street-legal and will therefore be limited to (presumably private) track events. That means its in-motion debut at Goodwood could be the closest anyone will get to the track car, so if you want to see it, keep your eyes peeled.
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Source: Red Bull Advanced Technologies
