V6 becomes V8 but hybrid power remains
Aston Martin continues resurgeance with latest hypercar
Aston Martin‘s latest hypercar is here. Sitting under the Valkyrie, this is Valhalla. A 937 hp hybrid with a flat-plane V8, all-carbon chassis, and the ability to produce half a tonne of downforce without the need to advertise.
The Valhalla first made its appearance in 2019 with rendered images hinting at a follow-up to the Aston Martin Valkyrie. Just about everything has changed at Aston Martin since then, from the top management to the Formula 1 team pairings, to the car that you see today.
While we had expected an in-house V6, the Aston Martin Valhalla will instead pair a 739 hp 4.0L twin-turbo V8 which while many sources say is AMG-sourced (a version of this motor is used in other Astons), the company itself says is bespoke. As is the eight-speed dual-clutch box. The flat-plane crank engine is the highest-performing one the company has ever used and is able to rev through 7,200 rpm.
It will still be a plug-in hybrid, and that’s where the rest of the 937 hp comes from. An electric motor attached to the front axle will do the work there and give the car better traction on acceleration. There is a motor on the rear as well, with a total of around 200 hp between them, and EV-only driving will allow a range of 15 km on the WLTP cycle and a top speed of 130 km/h.
With all of the power flowing, 330 km/h flat out is possible and 0-100 km/h takes 2.5 seconds. Aston is targeting a 6:30 around the Nurburgring, which would snatch the production car record away from the Porsche 911 GT2 RS.
A carbon fibre tub is used with a dry weight targeted to be under 1,550 kg. Inboard springs and dampers are pushrod actuated like an F1 car. Multimatic variable spring rate and adaptive spool valve dampers are fitted. A track mode cuts the ride height even further, though there is a lift mode for clearing driveways and speed bumps. The bodywork is simple and elegant, yet has the capability to develop 600 kg of downforce at 240 km/h.
Brake-by-wire controls the carbon ceramic brakes, while the mechanical grip is provided by Michelin tires developed specially for the Valhalla.
Left and right-drive cars will be offered, and Aston has increased cabin space when compared with the Valkyrie, hopefully letting more Asgardians fit behind the wheel. While we weren’t shown photos, Aston says the cabin of the Valhalla will have Formula 1-like details including a pared-back cockpit with a strong driver focus. Rather than a movable seat, the pedals and steering will instead adjust for the driver.
No word on deliveries, but if they’ve shown us this much, 2022 or 2023 seems likely.
