2019 Aston Martin AM-RB 003 – Top-End Hypercar Concept. 2019 Aston Martin AM-RB 003 – Interior and Exterior. Subscribe.
– Project 003 becomes AM-RB 003, with the confirmation of Red Bull Advanced Technologies’ involvement
– RBAT already integrated in the development of AM-RB 003
– AM-RB 003 follows Aston Martin Valkyrie and Valkyrie AMR Pro as third mid-engined Aston Martin
– Concept car makes debut at 2019 Geneva Motor Show
– RBAT to focus on optimisation of AM-RB 003’s chassis and aerodynamics
– AM-RB 003 to feature new Aston Martin hybrid turbo V6 engine
– Aston Martin’s Matt Becker and Chris Goodwin leading AM-RB 003’s dynamic set-up
– Overall development led by Chief Engineer, Fraser Dunn, Advanced Operations
– Project team using RBAT’s world-leading F1TM modelling and simulation technology
– Programme run from new Aston Martin Advanced Performance Centre in Milton Keynes
The British marque can also confirm that AM-RB 003 – previously known as Project 003 – will benefit from the close involvement of Red Bull Advanced Technologies in its design and engineering, continuing one of the brightest and most exciting engineering partnerships in the automotive world.
As its codename suggests, the AM-RB 003 follows the Aston Martin Valkyrie and Valkyrie AMR Pro as the third hypercar in Aston Martin’s mid-engined story. Both evolutionary and revolutionary, AM-RB 003 will incorporate concepts and technologies taken directly from F1TM and applied to the epoch-making Aston Martin Valkyrie, providing it with performance to meet and surpass the performance demands of existing top-end hypercar rivals.
Though making greater concessions to practicality and road use, AM-RB 003 will remain true to
that uncompromising engineering ethos, extending the trickle down of genuine state-of-the-art F1 TM technology into a car built in larger numbers – but still strictly limited to 500 coupes worldwide – and making a design statement that’s second to none.
According to Miles Nurnberger, Aston Martin Director of Design, while AM-RB 003 is heavily influenced by Aston Martin Valkyrie, it is very much its own car: “We were quite deliberate in AM-RB 003 to not disguise its lineage, but we were equally emphatic that it would be a distillation of Aston Martin Valkyrie and not a dilution. The design isn’t as extreme in some areas, but it pushes just as hard in others, and is even taking certain ideas and concepts a step further. That’s a natural function of design evolution, but also testament to just how great an influence working with Red Bull Advanced Technologies on Aston Martin Valkyrie has had on our approach to everything that’s come since.”
Sharing the same fundamental styling and aerodynamic philosophy with Aston Martin Valkyrie, the AM-RB 003 features a pronounced front keel and large rear diffuser, with the underfloor generating the bulk of the downforce. However, AM-RB 003 will also benefit from next-generation aircraft morphing technology, to create a variable airfoil across the entirety of the rear wing.
The technology named FlexFoilTM – developed by FlexSys Inc. – has been validated by NASA through extensive performance and acoustic flight testing, with Aston Martin the first to implement this cutting-edge aerospace technology in the automotive industry.
The system allows for the car’s downforce to be changed without changing the physical angle of the entire element, resulting in a seamless design with high performance, improved efficiency and reduced wind noise. Turbulence and the associated drag increase found in current “state of the art” active wing designs is virtually eliminated too.
The production design will allow for even larger leading and trailing edge deflections than shown in today’s concept and will incorporate greatly increased actuation rates to allow a real-time response to changes in the vehicle’s dynamic state.
Across the top surfaces, other aerodynamic demands create a similar shape to Aston Martin Valkyrie, but new lamp shapes at the front and rear ensure it has its own identity. The lamp graphics are unique, but the internals are taken directly from Aston Martin Valkyrie due to their lightness, with the combined weight of all four units totalling less than the weight of one DB11 headlamp.
One of the biggest differences between Aston Martin Valkyrie and AM-RB 003 is the size of the cockpit, for it was part of the latter’s design brief that it should make greater concessions to usability and comfort. To this end, the AM-RB 003 has LMP1-style doors, which open forwards taking a section of roof with them to facilitate easier ingress and egress. To create more space between driver and passenger the centre console has been widened, while luggage space is provided via a terrace behind the seats. There will also be stowage areas for oddments such as a wallet or mobile phone.
