F1 downforce guru Adrian Newey may be working on an Infiniti supercar

By Andrew Hard July 5, 2014

Red Bull Racing Aerodynamicist and downforce extraordinaire Adrian Newey is famous for creating championship Formula One cars, but his resume may be broadening in the near future.

Top Gear is reporting that Newey may be working on a supercar for Infiniti, the manufacturer behind the Red Bull Team.

“Adrian is itching to do something new,” said Andy Palmer, Nissan’s British Executive Vice President. “We are actively exploring the technology cross-over with Red Bull, although these things can take a long time in the incubator.”

When asked if an Infiniti supercar was in Newey’s plans, Palmer simply smiled and said, “Watch this space.”

After designing championship cars for Williams F1 and McLaren, Newey moved to Infiniti’s Red Bull Racing team in 2006. Under Infiniti’s banner, Newey designed several F1 medalists, including the carbon fiber and honeycomb composite RB6. According to Newey, the 18,000-rpm V8 screamer “was probably the car with the most downforce in the history of F1, more even than the legendary spoiler cars of the 1980s. We measured up to 5.5G of lateral acceleration.”

Looks like Red Bull gives you wings after all, they just serve a slightly different purpose.

Newey was also the brainchild behind radical concepts like the 1,483-horsepower, 249-mph, regulation-shattering X2010 prototype for Gran Turismo 6. The “fan car” layout of the X2010 (codenamed X1) was actually designed to suck air out from underneath the vehicle, creating a low-pressure zone and allowing for higher cornering speeds.

Newey’s creations garnered the Formula One Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships from 2010 to 2013, consecutively.

As for Infiniti’s supercar, it’s too early to tell what it might be like, but if Newey’s F1 cars are any indication, expect downforce. Lots of it.

Could it be GT-R powered, or take notes from the 2020 Vision Gran Turismo concept? Hard to say, but it’s difficult to imagine it being anything but spectacular.

(Photos via Infiniti Red Bull Racing)

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Photo Galleries

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Andrew first started writing in middle school and hasn't put the pen down since. Whether it's technology, music, sports, or…

Cars

Rivian R2 vs Hyundai Ioniq 5: Should you wait for the Rivian R2?

Rivian R2

Rivian has taken the wraps off of the Rivian R2, an electric SUV that's similar to the much-loved R1S, but smaller and, crucially, cheaper. But the R2 goes up against some serious competition. The likes of Hyundai have been building solid EVs for some time now -- including the Hyundai Ioniq 5.

The R2 and the Ioniq 5 each make a compelling case for themselves, and they're likely to end up being similarly priced if the Ioniq 5 doesn't get much cheaper and the R2 does end up being sold at $45,000. To be fair, the cars are pretty different -- the R2 is more of an SUV, while the Ioniq 5 is much more crossover-sized. But because of their similar price, you might be deciding between the two. How do they compare? We put the Rivian R2 and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 head-to-head.
Design
The differences between the Rivian R2 and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 are perhaps no more apparent than when it comes to design.

Cars

The 6 best remote car starters in 2024

Best car remote starters

While some modern vehicles come standard with remote start features, it's still relatively uncommon. That's a shame because if you live somewhere where cold weather, snow, and ice are frequent concerns, a remote car starter is one of the best auto accessories you can have. If you're not familiar with them, a remote car starter works similarly to a key fob, except it will actually start your car from a distance instead of just unlocking the doors or trunk. That means you can start your car from the warm comfort of your home or office before venturing out. If you live somewhere hot, you can even start your car and let the AC run for a little bit. You'll never enter a freezing cold or scorching hot vehicle again.

The best remote car starters have long ranges, replaceable batteries, and other handy features — but how do you know which is best for you? We’ve compiled a list of the best car starters in a range of prices and features. Keep in mind that while you can install some yourself, some will require a professional.
The best remote car starters in 2024

Cars

The best portable jump starters for cars in 2024

The Clore Jump-N-Carry JNC660 portable jump starter connected to a truck battery.

Any time you hit the road, whether you're taking a short or long trip, it's a good idea to have backups handy. A spare or backup tire, some anti-freeze, windshield wash fluid, a road hazard kit, and, last but not least, one of the best portable tire inflators and a portable jump starter. You never know when cold weather, inadvertently leaving the dome light on, or plain old Father Time can curse you with a dead battery. Ensure you have one of the best portable jump starters that can save you in a jam, kickstarting your car even when there isn't anyone around to jump the battery. Naturally, that's why we’ve rounded up what we feel are the best portable jump starters for 2024.
The best portable jump starters in 2024

Buy the if you want the best portable jump starter overall.
Buy the if you want the best portable jump starter runner-up.
Buy the if you want the best portable jump starter and tire inflator combo.
Buy the if you want another name-brand option.
Buy the if you want the best portable jump starter for cheap.