Aston Martin has stunned the motoring world by announcing plans to build a £2 million road car which is quicker than an F1 racer.
The iconic British firm has teamed up with Red Bull Racing for what it is calling ‘the next generation hypercar’.
Codenamed Project ‘AM-RB 001’, it is claimed the car will represent the ultimate blend of cutting edge F1 technology with Aston Martin’s signature sports car design.
Red Bull Racing’s Chief Technical Officer Adrian Newey, who is the most successful F1 designer in history, will work alongside Marek Reichman, the man behind the best-looking Aston Martins in recent times, on the ambitious project.
Details of AM-RB 001 are thin, with only a basic sketch released, but insiders have indicated it will cost between £1.5 and £2 million and be quicker round Silverstone than an F1 car.
This means it is likely to have approaching 1,000bhp, do 0-62mph in less than three seconds and have a top speed in excess of 250mph.
Fewer than 100 of the hypercars will be built, with engineers expected to use hybrid technology on the hardcore motor.
It will fulfill a lifetime goal for Newey, who has been in F1 for almost 30 years and designed ten Championship-winning cars.
He said: “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 supercar.
“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 F1TM into a new arena.”
It follows the announcement Aston Martin will be returning to Grand Prix racing for the first time in more than 50 years.
Christian Horner, Red Bull Racing Team principal, described AM-RB 001 as a “very exciting project”.
He said: “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.”
The AM-RB 001 is expected to go on sale in 2018 and is the latest exciting development at Aston Martin.
Last month it was announced the firm would be building its new super-SUV, the DBX, at a factory in Wales, creating more than 1,000 jobs.
The manufacturer has also just unveiled its new DB11.
Marek Reichman said: “The opportunity to collaborate with Adrian (Newey) and Red Bull Advanced Technologies will be a fascinating experience for everyone involved.
“Unconstrained by F1TM regulations, we have a unique chance to create a car in its most efficient form that will represent the ultimate fusion of art and technology.”
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