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AM-RB 001 to Challenge Holy Trinity for Ultimate Road-Legal Hypercar

During the second episode of The Grand Tour, we got our first taster during ‘Conversation Street’ of the stunningly beautiful Aston Martin 001 concept car, also known as the AM-RB 001 Hypercar.

The RB stands for Red Bull which, as you may have now guessed, have partnered with Aston Martin to produce this ultimate piece of machinery. The extraordinary collaboration combines the vision and skills of two world-leading brands to create a road car like no other.

Ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix earlier this week, Aston Martin and Red Bull Racing unveiled the AM-RB 001 to the Middle East with help from F1 driver Max Verstappen.

The word ‘aerodynamics’ certainly comes to mind when seeing this magnificent design around the lightweight carbon fibre structure. Designed by Adrian Newey, Red Bull Racing’s Chief Technical Officer, much of this downforce is generated through underfloor aerodynamic (not to mention a motorsport-style “keel” running beneath the car), which leaves F1 designer Marek Reichman full reign on crafting the unmistakable essence of Aston Martin.

In terms of numbers, we will have to wait a little longer for the statistics, but the AM-RB 001 will have one horsepower for each kilogram of weight and is expected to come in at around 1000kg (in other words, about 1000bhp) with a price of around £2-3million.

The Aston Martin will be powered by a V12 engine parked in the middle of the two-seater car, with speeds expected to reach more than that of any Formula One car, and achieving 0-60 mph in 2.5 seconds or less.

The two-seater AM-RB 001 is to be built in Gaydon, Warwickshire, in the purpose-built facility created for Aston Martin’s original hypercar, the One-77.

It’s estimated there will be between 99 and 150 road cars (the final figure is still to be decided) plus 25 track-only versions (which is expected to match the performance of a LMP1 Le Mans racing car), with first deliveries commencing in 2018.

So, difference between the road-legal car and the track-only racer? The powertrain and fundamentals will remain the same for the two, but the track-only version will have bigger wings and diffusers, wider tyres, and a stripped cabin.

Is it time to bring a fourth member to The Holy Trinity (LaFerrari, P1 and 918 Spyder)?

Just to put the AM-RB 001 in comparison to the McLaren P1, the track-only Aston Martin can hold up to four Gs of acceleration whilst cornering, and McLaren claims the P1 can hit two.

Feature photo copyright Aston Martin.

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