If you are an F1 fan, then you certainly know Adrian Newey, arguably the best F1 designer ever and that he was working on a hypercar. Red Bull has showcased this hypercar with the name RB17. The showcase happened at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, where team principles and drivers. Here is what you need to know about this breathtaking beauty:
With Newey at the helm of it, the car was completely designed and manufactured in-house at Red Bull Advanced Technologies. I get two seats inside its carbon fibre monocoque chassis. It gets active aerodynamics and suspension systems that are taken from F1. It is capable of producing up to 1700 kg of downforce (double its weight). The wheel wake management systems of the body also help in the smooth flow of air around its tyres. The front and rear get wings that help adjust their downforce according to the situation.
Red Bull planned to go all out initially by making an all-wheel-drive powertrain, with the electric motors powering the front and the engine powering the rear. This plan did not go forward, with them opting for a more traditional hybrid system with a V10 at its core.
This V10 is a 1000 bhp monster that redlines at a preposterous 15,000 rpm (What in the bike RPM is this?). This engine is mated with a carbon fibre transmission (obviously also related to F1) that hides a 200 bhp electric motor. This motor is a multi-tasker. It improves performance, acts as a starter motor, moves the car in reverse gear, and also gives the car its initial movement.
The RB17 has adjustable pushrod suspensions on all four corners of the car that are equipped with active height and roll control, further assisted by a lift mode that can get it over the bumper at slower speeds. The power steering is hydraulically adjusted, while carbon brakes do the braking. The brakes on the rear use brake-by-wire tech. The car runs on 18-inch carbon fibre wheels that get Michelin racing slicks made specially for the car. Users will also get an option for 20-inch wheels covered with performance-tread tyres. The seat options are also custom fit, with an adjustable pedal box and built-in storage. In its lightest version, the hypercar weighs a mere 805kg, with no luxuries like AC or windscreen.
The car is not road-legal at this point, and it cannot participate in any racing events. This means users will be able to use it on special track days and experiences. Newey did specify that customers convert it for use on roads. F1 drivers like Max Verstappen will drive it on the simulator for its development, while many other drivers will also be invited to test it.
Would you pick an RB17 over the Lamborghinis, Aston Martins and Ferraris?
For more such news, click here.