2015 Isuzu MU-X
The first project from the marriage between Aston Martin and Red Bull Racing is now a reality, with the covers coming off the joint venture’s first model - the AM-RB 001.
First teased in March and described by its makers as a ‘hypercar’ (with looks to match), the AM-RB 001 is powered by a mid-mounted, naturally-aspirated V12 petrol engine.
The engine is said to be ‘new’ and ‘high-revving’, but the official power output and performance figures remain secret, for now. Whatever the output, in BHP-per-kilogram, it’s enough for the AM-RB 001 to feature an incredible 1:1 power-to-weight ratio.
That makes it a direct rival for the Koenigsegg One:1, so named as it also has the same power-to-weight ratio.
The AM-RB 001 will be available only as a two-seater, but both road and track models will be on offer.
The lightweight body is made from carbon-fibre, and the AM-RB 001 boasts F1-esque levels of downforce generated mostly under the body, rather than by enormous wings.
Also from the pages of F1 is the AM-RB 001’s suspension, and the gearbox is a clean-sheet design.
Car fans may be used to carmakers spruiking ‘over the top’ claims about their new models, but it’s fair to guess Aston Martin and Red Bull Racing aren’t messing around when they use terms like “uncompromising” and “never been seen before” to describe the AM-RB 001.
Also on the serious side is the car’s brains trust, with names like Adrian Newey from Red Bull and Aston Martin’s Chief Creative Officer, Marek Reichman.
The team says the AM-RB 001 will be “usable and enjoyable” as a road car but with considerable on-track performance, while the proposed track-only version is aiming to match it with LMP1 Le Mans prototypes.
“I’ve long harboured the desire to design a road car,” Mr Newey said.
“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.”
Aston Martin CEO, Dr Andy Palmer, said the project was “history-making” and one of which he was “extremely proud”.
First deliveries for the AM-RB 001 are expected to commence in 2018. The production run will be restricted to between 99 and 150 units, which includes 25 track-only models and all remaining prototypes.
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