AM and Red Bull to build hypercar 17 | 03 | 2016
ASTON MARTIN AND Red Bull Racing, the multiple Formula One champions, have forged an alliance aimed at producing the world's fastest hypercar.
Codenamed the AM-RB 001 — and overseen by Red Bull chief technical officer Adrian Newey and Aston Martin chief creative officer Marek Reichman — the primary objective is to create a car which has faster acceleration, higher top speed and better circuit performance than any road car in history.
The car, which will be badged Aston Martin, is currently being worked on in a specially dedicated design studio inside Aston Martin’s Gaydon HQ.
Part of the deal sees the Aston Martin name appear on the rear of the Red Bull's sidepods, and its iconic logo on the nose from the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.
It's understood that less than 100 of the new hypercar will be built by Aston’s bespoke Q division, with a price tag believed to be between £2-3 million. First deliveries are expected in 2018.
Related: Aston Martin returns to F1
Today's announcement came on the eve of the Australian Grand Prix, the opening round of the 2016 F1 championship.
Aston boss Andy Palmer confirmed the car will have a mid-engine layout, a first for an Aston Martin. Extending the F1 link, the new hybercar will also have a KERS-style drive system. It's rumoured also that a race series will be established for the cars.
“Between Q by Aston Martin Advanced, Red Bull Advanced Technologies and project partner AF Racing AG, we are going to create a car that will excite and stir the imaginations of the car designers of the future and a global audience of sports car enthusiasts," Palmer said.
“These are exciting times for Aston Martin, and arriving hot on the heels of our DB11 launch earlier this month, this new partnership underlines that our brand really is racing again.”
Today's announcement also confirms the delivery of one of F1 design guru Newey's lifelong objectives: to be involved in the design of a new super car.
Related: Aston Martin DB11 unveiled
“From the age of six I have had two goals in life: to be involved in the design of racing cars, and to be involved in the design of a super car.” Newey, who has designed 10 world championship-wining F1 cars, said.
“Whilst the former ambition went on to form my career to date, the latter has always bubbled away, resulting in countless sketches and doodles over the years.
“The opportunity to now develop and realise those ideas, whilst working with Marek and his colleagues from Aston Martin, is tremendously exciting. It allows us to translate the technology we have developed in F1 into a new arena.”
The project was also welcomed by Red Bull Racing team principal, Christian Horner.
“This is a very exciting project for everyone at Red Bull Racing," he said. "Through this Innovation Partnership, the iconic Aston Martin logo will return to grand prix racing for the first time since 1960, and Red Bull Advanced Technologies, led by Adrian, will be harnessing our Formula One DNA to produce the ultimate of all road cars.
"It’s an incredible project which also realises a dream and vision long held by Adrian to design a road car. We are very much looking forward to what I’m certain will be a successful partnership.”
Related: Red Bull secures new engine deal
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Jim McGill