These Cosworth-Powered Hypercars Are Sonic Tour De Force That EVs Can Only Dream To Match

Aston Martin Redbull Valkyrie/Valkyrie AMR Pro

Valkyrie kickstarted the trend of stuffing ultra-high revving atmospheric combustion engines into super limited production hypercars. It was also one of the first examples of Cosworth partnering with serial car manufacturers apart from its usual racing business.

The Valkyrie was designed by Adrian Newey and is lighter than a Mazda Miata all the while packing a hybrid V12 system powered by F1 KERS tech-producing 1160 hp. The car was recently spotted completing its LMDh testing before its debut year.

It is based on the highly elusive and effective Ground Effects principle of aerodynamics and features large Venturi Tunnels underneath all carbon bodywork producing over 1800 kg or 3900 pounds of downforce.

The V12 featured in Valkyrie has a 6.5-liter Cosworth-developed V12 with an 11,100 RPM redline upon entering which it sounds like a swarm of angry bees. It has titanium con rods and boasts a power density of 153.9 hp per liter. 

The Cosworth RA generates 1000 hp and 546 lb-ft. An AMR Pro version was also launched which is even lighter thanks to the removal of its hybrid system and is strictly intended for track use. It makes between 1160 to 1300 hp.

Aston Martin says the AMR Pro version is capable of doing 250 MPH and producing 3Gs of cornering and 3.5Gs of braking force. Only 150 units of Valkyrie and 25 units of its AMR PRO version were made and all are sold out costing above 3 million each.

"evoking the spine-tingling, ultra-high-revving F1 engines of the 1990s, but benefitting from two decades of progress in design, material and manufacturing expertise."
- Cosworth on Valkyrie's V12

GMA T.50/T.50 Niki Lauda

Everyone was left stunned when the legend Gordon Murray revealed the actual successor to the McLaren F1. The T.50 is a masterclass in weight reduction as it only tips the scales at 2198 pounds or 997 kgs.

The most exciting part of the car however apart from the obvious engine is its truly phenomenal fan system.

 The Fancar is Inspired by Murray’s Brabham F1 car which in turn was inspired by Can-AM legend Chapparal 2J. A large 40cm fan that generates a lot of downforce at 7000 rpm It is powered by a 48V motor or the engine depending on which one of the 4 available modes you select.

The same design principle also enabled the hypercar-crushing McMurtry Speirling to break the all-time Goodwood record.

'It gave me goosebumps. It's just incredible.' The most memorable moment? Probably getting wheelspin 'north of 11000 rpm”
- Dario Franchitti-Test Driver.

The GMA T.50 features a 3994 cc ( Murray was pretty hung upon the displacement being under 4.0L) 11,500 RPM V12 which makes 654 hp and a rather modest 392 lb-ft. It can rip up its entire rev band in just 0.3 seconds and weighs around 173 kg or 392 pounds.

An even bonkers T.50 Niki Lauda recently made its Goodwood debut and does away with all the road legal obligations resulting in a weight of 854 kgs or 1441 lb. A 400mm fan around the back produces 1200 kg of downforce resulting in truly spectacular cornering speeds.

As per Cosworth, the Niki Lauda’s V12 revs to 12,100 RPM and features 12 individual throttle bodies. It has a staggering CR of 15:1 and makes about 750 hp at 178hp/liter.

GMA T.33

This is the ”Lite” version of the T.50 with much more conventional doors, a spyder option, and everyday tractability. It still features the good old Cosworth-developed V12 but gets rid of the fan and instead uses bodywork and advanced aero tech to produce the downforce.

It has a 3.9 L V12 that makes 612 hp and revs up to a sky-high 11,100 rpm. The compression ratio sits at 14:1 and a RAM air intake is also implemented along with an Xtrac-driven 6-speed manual gearbox. As per their website, all GMA cars have been sold out and all cost more than $1 million.

Bugatti Tourbillon

The next in line to the 300 mph throne after the Chiron is the Tourbillon which was recently unveiled by company CEO Mate Rimac. It features a crazy V16 engine that displaces Viper-esque 8.4 Liters and revs up to 9000 rpm.

Together with Rimac-sourced electric motors, Tourbillon makes 1800 PS or 1775 hp and features highly bespoke steampunk-style craftsmanship. It is one of the world's longest engines and features a dry sump system along with a cross-plane crankshaft.

It can reach 277mph and might just break the speed record once its more hardcore “Super Sport or Vitesse” avatar drops in.

“I think we all got goosebumps the first time we heard the roar of the Bugatti’s incredible V16 engine; it is a truly unique piece of machinery.”

Cosworth’s Managing Director of Powertrain, Bruce Wood

 

Redbull RB17

By far the most insane-est, expensive-est, supremely ferocious car on our list is the latest Redbull RB17 powered by none other than a Cosworth V10 that redlins at 15,000 RPM.

After Adrian Newey decided to part with Redbull it was clear that he needed to do one last thing as their CTO and fill the gaping hole left after Aston Martin took over the Valkyrie project.

The $6 million + RB17 is the most vicious-looking slice of blade you would ever see in real life with its two gigantic diffuser tunnels and utter spaceship-like aesthetics.

“This is basically Adrian off the leash, no FIA regulations, no cost cap—which it’s why it’s f***ing expensive but it is the ultimate car, it really is an incredible car,” 

-Christian Horner

Although more details are yet to be revealed it is confirmed that the RB17 will have a 4.5 L 90-degree V10 revving past 15k thanks to F1-delivered air valve actuation technology.

Three bespoke Michelin compounds will also be made available that will help it reach 350 kph as per Redbull.

The first two are for wet and dry surfaces while the third tire uses a secret material that Michelin has refused to reveal. If you want it Michelin will give it to you and then take it back once you are done.

The car weighs around 900 kg and will be able to produce around 1200 hp while making 1700 kg of downforce.

Honorable Mention: McLaren Solus GT

It may not be Cosworth this time but a 5.2 L V10 that makes 900 hp at 10,000 RPM is incredible in its own right. Made by none other than hill climb legend JUDD,  the engine features gear-driven camshaft and barrel-actuated throttle bodies.

The sub-tonne Gran Turismo derived Solus GT features a movable canopy and can produce 1200 kg of downforce. As per McLaren, it has a top speed of 200 mph and is limited to just 25 units. They recently let F1 legend Mika Hakkinen take one for a spin at Goodwood 2024.
 

Image source- Bugatti, GMA, Redbull, Mclaren, Aston Martin Press