Less than four months since the Innovation Partnership between Aston Martin and Red Bull Racing was announced on the eve of the Australian Formula One Grand Prix, the car they announced would be the result of that partnership has been revealed – and it’s stunning.
Known only as the AM-RB 001 for now, this car will get its own unique name very soon, but until then it’s there for us to see, and drool over.
It’s a mid-engined two-seater with a naturally aspirated V12 engine. The power to weight ratio is 1:1 and there will never be more than 150 made.
Take a look at that picture above – this thing is a an open wheeler almost. There is a huge space between the cockpit and front wheels covered by the aerodynamic housing – the amount of aerodynamic airflow there is amazing.
Normally a car company will announce a limited run, then add to that with limited versions or spin offs. Not with this. Just 150 of the road-going version will be made – including any existing prototypes, with an additional 25 track versions to be built.
And if you’re just now thinking you want one? Good luck. Thousands are in line.
Adrian Newey, Red Bull Racing’s Chief Technical Officer, says of the project: “I’ve long harboured the desire to design a road car. The formation of Red Bull Advanced Technologies brought me a step closer to realising that ambition, but I believed we should work with an automotive manufacturer. Aston Martin was at the top of my list. The synergy between Red Bull Racing and Aston Martin is clear. I knew Red Bull Racing had the ability to handle the pure performance aspects, but Aston Martin’s experience of making beautiful, fast and comfortable GT cars is of great benefit to the project. I’ve always been adamant that the AM-RB 001 should be a true road car that’s also capable of extreme performance on track, and this means it really has to be a car of two characters. That’s the secret we’re trying to put into this car – the technology that allows it to be docile and comfortable, but with immense outright capabilities.”
As a genuine sign of the Innovation Partnership, the task of engineering the AM-RB 001 will be shared between Aston Martin Advanced and Red Bull Advanced Technologies, while production will take place at Aston Martin’s Gaydon facility.
