The Red Bull RB17
Red Bull Racing has been an unstoppable force in Formula 1 in recent years, with Max Verstappen securing three consecutive World Championships. Success, however, breeds ambition, and Red Bull decided to leverage the expertise gained from its Formula 1 dominance to venture into a new realm: ultra-exclusive, ultra-expensive hypercars designed exclusively for the racetrack. Enter the elegant RB17, of which only 50 examples will ever be built.
The RB17 is intended to be the closest thing possible to a Formula 1 car—and it certainly looks the part. Exposed suspension wishbones and horizontal pushrod suspension with active ride-height and roll control emerge through massive openings in the bodywork, which is constructed entirely from carbon fiber. The body itself incorporates active aerodynamic elements and movable wings designed to increase downforce as speed rises. According to Red Bull, this ballistic missile on wheels can generate up to 1.7 tons of downforce.
Power comes from a hybrid powertrain that combines a naturally aspirated 4.5-liter V10 engine producing 1,000 horsepower at an astronomical 15,000 rpm, with a 200-horsepower electric motor. Together, they deliver a total of 1,200 horsepower, sent exclusively to the rear wheels through a six-speed gearbox similar to those used in Formula 1. Yes, there is no reverse gear—just like in F1. The electric motor serves both as the launch gear and as reverse.
These days, 1,200 horsepower may not seem particularly extraordinary, but the RB17 weighs less than 900 kilograms, giving it an astonishing power-to-weight ratio of just 0.75 kg per horsepower. The sprint from 0 to 100 km/h takes under three seconds, and top speed is rated at 350 km/h. Yet those figures are almost secondary, because the real focus is lap-time performance—and in that arena, the RB17 is expected to be sensational. We’ll tell you more after we get the chance to take it for a spin.
Bottom Line: The closest thing to growing wings before leaving this world.
Price: Approximately $6 million.
