Sometimes automakers are extremely secretive when it goes to showing off special, limited-production models, and it looks like Aston Martin is no different. As it turns out, the AM-RB 001 Hypercar being co-developed by Aston Martin and Red Bull has already been revealed to potential buyers. The event was held in complete secrecy at last month’s Monaco Grand Prix and included a full-scale model that, according to Aston Martin boss Andy Palmer, are about 70- to 80-percent there in terms of appearance.

The AM-RB 001 is due to launch for another two years, in the summer of 2018, so it should come as no surprise that all examples shown thus far are non-working models that are made primarily of clay and various plastics. According to Autocar, Palmer said, “We have a full-sized model of the surfaces as they stand, which is going through regulatory validation, so we’re checking things such as seat position, eye position, and visibility. When speaking of what potential customers said about the representative models, Palmer continued with, “Most of the customers that see it just say: ‘Wow, I didn’t expect this. Isn’t it beautiful?’ It’s uncompromised in terms of Adrian Newey’s capability, because he doesn’t have the FIA or Formula 1 telling him he can’t do this, and it’s uncompromised from my perspective because it’s the lowest car that’s going to exist.”

Just 99 cars will be built, and due to the difficulty in homologating a limited-production car in some markets, the AM-RB 001 will only be available in select markets. Few technical details have been revealed aside from the fact that the car will have a mid-engine layout, and will be powered by a gasoline and hybrid powertrain system. Pricing is expected to be somewhere between $2.85 million and $4.28 million, but Palmer has said that pricing will remain a mystery, quoting the age-old saying “If you need to ask, you can afford it.”

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Why it matters

It isn’t surprising that Aston Martin and Reb Bull are keeping a pretty tight lid on its shared love child of a car. To be honest, however, the whole concept is getting pretty old. By keeping a car as secret as possible and only allow prospective buyers to see it, the value of the car is increased exponentially. And, since only the wealthiest of potential buyers are included, it’s almost guaranteed that all models will be spoken for quickly and paid for just as fast. It’s a strategic tactic, and models like the AM-RB 001 are special in their own right, but I think Aston Martin and Red Bull are taking a little too much honor on this one. Either way, the AM-RB 001 is sure to be an amazing car, and I still can’t wait to see the finished project. Hopefully, the two brands won’t disappoint when we finally get to lay eyes on the finished product.