The Red Bull RB17 v2.0 is shaping up to be one of the most extreme track-only cars ever created.
Although Adrian Newey officially left Red Bull to join Aston Martin last year, his influence on the RB17 project remains evident.
The latest evolution of Red Bull Advanced Technologies' no-compromise hypercar demonstrates the significant progress made in the concept as it moves closer to production.
Visually, the RB17 v2.0 looks sharper and more aggressive.
New hockey-stick-style LED headlights give the car a more defined face, while refined cooling vents and a dramatic sailfish-style dorsal fin running along the engine cover underline its Formula 1-inspired aerodynamic focus.
Although the car is marginally smaller than the original version, its footprint still closely matches that of a modern F1 car.
Adrian Newey's Influence Lives On
According to Rob Gray, Technical Director at Red Bull Advanced Technologies, Newey continues to keep a close eye on the RB17's development.
While much of the original vision is already locked in, Newey remains available for consultation whenever needed.
One of his final changes was a major technical challenge: relocating the exhaust to the spine of the engine cover.
The move required extensive thermal development to manage heat safely, but it also plays a key role in the RB17's performance and unmistakable character.
A Bespoke Cosworth V10 with F1 DNA
At the heart of the Red Bull RB17 sits a completely bespoke 4.5-litre naturally aspirated Cosworth V10.
Developed exclusively for this car, the engine revs to a staggering 15,000rpm and produces 1,000bhp on its own.
An electric motor handles reverse gear duties, fills torque during ultra-fast upshifts, and adds a further 200bhp boost.
The result is not just brutal performance, but a soundtrack inspired by late-1990s and early-2000s Formula 1, tuned to replicate the iconic scream of Newey's favourite era.
No Screens, No Distractions Inside
The RB17's interior is unapologetically focused. Built to Le Mans prototype crash standards, the cockpit avoids touchscreens and haptic controls entirely.
Every function is operated through physical switches, designed to be used while experiencing up to 5G and benefiting from an extraordinary 1,700kg of fan-assisted downforce.
Front-hinged butterfly doors replace gullwing designs, making it easier for drivers to enter and exit by stepping onto the seat before sliding down into position.
Testing Underway, Production Coming Soon
The first RB17 is currently under construction, with extensive simulator work and dyno testing already completed.
Public test appearances are expected this summer, with the car likely to run demonstration laps at select Formula 1 events.
Just 50 customer cars will be built, with British production scheduled to begin next spring.
Final Thoughts
The Red Bull RB17 v2.0 isn't designed to chase road legality or mass appeal. It exists as a pure expression of Adrian Newey's engineering philosophy, raw, focused, and relentlessly fast.
As development continues, it's clear this track-only hypercar is set to become one of the most extreme machines ever built.
