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Aston Martin - Valkyrie Coupe/Spider Price: POA
Last Updated On: 12/01/2022
The Aston Martin Valkyrie is a limited production hypercar collaboratively built by Aston Martin, Red Bull Racing and several other specialist manufacturers. Only 150 examples will be built and they have all now been sold. The idea behind it was to develop a track-oriented car entirely usable and enjoyable as a road car and Valkyrie comes as close as possible to a Formula One™ car without being restricted to the track.
The exterior of the car is extremely aerodynamic with an extensively open underfloor, that works on the principle of the venturi effect and is capable of producing 1,814 kg (4,000 lb) of downforce at high speed. Gaps from on top on the car (e.g. the front axle and the roof intake) and a large front splitter aid in generating downforce. The wheels are also designed to manage the airflow and be as light as possible at the same time.
The interior has no gauge cluster, but rather a collection of screens. By the left and right corners are the screens for the camera side mirrors. One screen sits at the top of the center console, which has a collection of live vehicle information, and regular vehicle controls. A screen is used on the race-inspired steering wheel and acts as the driver gauge cluster. Dials and switches sit beside the wheel screen to allow for easier changes without driving interruption. The bucket seats, formed from hollow carbon fibre have two seat belts for each one. Each seat is designed specifically for the owner's body shape through 3D scanning and removable steering wheel provides more space for entry and exit.
The heart of the Aston Martin Valkyrie’s powertrain is its clean sheet Cosworth-built 65° naturally aspirated 6.5-litre V12 engine With a certified peak power output of 1,000bhp (or 153.8 bhp-per-litre) at 10,500rpm, it can continue on to a maximum 11,100rpm. This is a world first for a naturally-aspirated, emissions-compliant road car. Peak torque is 740Nm at 7,000rpm. These peak outputs are purely delivered by the ICE (Internal Combustion Engine), with a further performance boost delivered by the battery hybrid system.
The battery pack integrates all relevant sub-systems and serves as the carrier for the vehicle’s power electronics, while in addition to its Power Boost and Energy Recovery System functions, the E-Motor aids the mechanical performance of the gearbox. A KERS-style boost system akin to those fitted to F1™ cars, the Aston Martin Valkyrie’s hybrid system has been developed by two main technical partners; Integral Powertrain Ltd, who supplied the bespoke electric motor, and Rimac for the lightweight hybrid battery system.
As a result, the full hybrid system contributes an additional 160bhp of power and a further 280Nm of available torque with the certified max power output of Aston Martin Valkyrie standing at a stunning 1,160bhp @ 10,500rpm. Equally, with the full hybrid system, peak torque will stand at 900Nm @ 6,000rpm.
In August 2021, Aston Martin announced the new Spider version which features a bespoke, removable lightweight roof comprising of a carbon fibre central panel, latching onto the tub at the rear and to the windscreen surround at the front, along with a pair of polycarbonate roof windows, hinged on either side. On opening the doors, the roof can simply be lifted off and stowed away. Modifications to the carbon fibre tub have been made to support the removable roof panels and the luxury open-top layout, as well as new doors. The now front-hinged dihedral doors, which are unique to Valkyrie Spider, have been redesigned to tilt forwards. All mechanical elements are identical to its sibling.
Image 8 shows the Valkyrie with the optional AMR Pro, a machine which takes a car designed to win the Le Mans 24 Hours as its starting point, then pushes further to explore extremes of performance unconstrained by racing regulations or registration for road use.
