Collaborations don’t always happen in the automotive world, but when they do, you can be sure to expect something major. An example of a successful collaboration is the Audi RS2, which was co-developed by Porsche. The amazing RS2 was a product of two road-car manufacturers, but what would happen if, say, a Formula One team decided to make a car with one of the best British manufacturers in the world?
As luck would have it that question has an answer, and it’s called the AM-RB 001. The Aston Martin hypercar, codenamed ‘Nebula’, shares an immense portion of its DNA with the Red Bull Racing Formula One team and is set out to lead the next generation of hypercars. The men responsible for Project Nebula are Aston Martin’s chief creative officer, Marek Reichman, and Adrian Newey, Red Bull Racing’s chief technical officer.
The fundamentals behind the AM-RB 001 were to design a hypercar that thrived on the road and track, and we recently discovered that there are actually two versions in the works: a road car and a track-only version. It’s expected the latter will deliver performance to match an LMP1 Le Mans racer.
The Nebula is powered by a mid-mounted V12 engine, and in true Aston Martin flair there are no turbos or superchargers in sight. Official figures are yet to be released, but Aston Martin has assured us that the high-revving naturally aspirated unit will be able to deliver a 1:1 power-to-weight ratio. We can expect the AM-RB 001 to tip the scales at the 900kg mark, and if that ratio is anything to go by then 671kW shouldn’t be very hard to squeeze out of that big V12
It’s been hinted that the track version of the car, which will likely get extra aero kit and lose some of the requirements of the road model, will be as quick round a track as an F1 car in race trim. We expect it to go from 0-100km/h in just over two seconds, with a top speed in excess of 322km/h.
The AM-RB001’s bodywork is absolutely insane. There are vents all around the Nebula creating the illusion of a floating cockpit. Every single line and crease is focused on producing masses of downforce at high speed, helping to shove each wheel into the tarmac. The design of the Nebula is the perfect combination of technology and style, and a short glance at the official release images will prove it.
The suspension is a completely new set-up that’s designed to handle the aero system, while the gearbox is a new design as well, developed by Newey and the Red Bull Racing team specifically for the AM-RB 001. Speaking to the press, Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer said: “This is a no-excuses halo car – the most luxurious car in its class, but also the quickest and the fastest.
“This car will be able to lap the Silverstone circuit as quick as or quicker than an F1 or LMP1 car. But it’s a race car that’s capable of going on the road.”
The AM-RB 001 is expected to be produced in extremely limited numbers, with 100 to 150 being the lucky number. Pricing is yet to be confirmed; however claims have surfaced putting the Nebula at the R40million mark. The car will be built at Aston’s factory in Gaydon, Warks, with the first deliveries set for 2018.
Red Bull’s Newey admitted that he’s wanted to build a road car for quite some time; he told press that it’s an ambition he’s had since the tender age of six. “The opportunity to develop and realise those ideas with Marek and the team from Aston Martin is tremendously exciting,” he said. “It allows us to translate the technology we have developed in F1 into a new arena.”
