At the 2017 Geneva International Motor Show, Aston Martin showcased the popular Vantage and introduced the Valkyrie and its AMR Pro version.
This was the result of Aston Martin’s collaboration with the Red Bull F1 team, incorporating many F1 technologies. The car’s design was personally crafted by F1 aerodynamics expert Adrian Newey and featured a DRS variable rear wing system, KERS energy recovery system, pushrod suspension, and a Formula 1-style cockpit.
It looked like a four-wheeled F1 car.
However, it was a toy for the few, with only 150 units produced, including prototypes and test cars, and 25 track versions. Only 99 road versions were truly mass-produced.
Even Aston Martin’s own F1 driver, Fernando Alonso, only received his Valkyrie in 2024.
So, what about the rest of us? Aston Martin has given us a more accessible option.
Aston Martin’s “Transformational Work”
The Aston Martin Valhalla, a mid-engine supercar originally set to debut in 2021, has finally arrived after a 3-year delay.
While it continues the Valkyrie’s design, the Valhalla is much more grounded compared to its predecessor, making it something you might actually see in your lifetime.
In terms of production, the Valhalla significantly surpasses the Valkyrie’s 99 units, with a total of 999 units, making it a truly mass-produced model. Even Aston Martin’s Executive Chairman Lawrence Stroll said:
“As Aston Martin’s first mass-produced mid-engine supercar, the Valhalla is a true transformational work for this ultra-luxury brand.”
Stroll’s “transformation” refers to the ongoing “new energy transformation.”
The Valhalla is not only Aston Martin’s first mass-produced mid-engine supercar but also the first to adopt a PHEV powertrain. It features a 4.0L V8 twin-turbo engine and three electric motors, delivering a combined 1079 horsepower and 1000Nm of torque in all-wheel-drive mode. It can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 2.5 seconds and aims to reach a top speed of 350 km/h.
Specifically, although the Valhalla has four fewer cylinders than the Valkyrie, it uses Aston Martin’s most powerful configuration ever.
This V8 engine features a “Hot V” structure, with two high-flow twin-scroll turbochargers, and uses a dry sump to lower the center of gravity. The internal flat-plane crankshaft design improves engine responsiveness.
With these advanced configurations, the Valhalla’s engine can deliver a peak power of 812 horsepower at 7200rpm, with all power transmitted to the rear axle. The exhaust system, equipped with active valves, creates an adjustable Aston Martin exhaust note.
The front axle is powered by two 400V 150kW electric motors, which also handle torque vectoring to improve traction and front-end response. They actively eliminate oversteer and understeer and provide torque fill during gear shifts to eliminate turbo lag. These motors are also responsible for driving in pure electric mode.
However, the data isn’t very impressive. In pure electric mode, the Valhalla’s top speed is 140 km/h, and the electric range is only 15 km.
To avoid adding unnecessary weight, the Valhalla’s battery capacity is only 6.1kW.
At the rear axle, there’s an additional rear-mounted motor integrated into the transmission, serving as a starter-generator. It also supports power output, provides torque fill, and delivers stronger and continuous acceleration. The electronic limited-slip differential on the rear axle ensures vehicle maneuverability.
Its transmission is also unique, featuring an eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox with an electronic reverse gear. Aston Martin innovatively removed the reverse gear mechanism, using the electric motor for reversing to reduce the transmission’s weight.
For supercars, reducing weight in every possible area is standard practice. Aston Martin collaborated with AMPT (Aston Martin Performance Technologies) to create a carbon fiber monocoque cockpit for the Valhalla and equipped it with an aluminum subframe. Despite using a lot of lightweight materials, the complex hybrid system still brings the car’s weight to 1655kg.
Aston Martin also optimized the unsprung mass.
The Valhalla’s front suspension uses a pushrod setup (visible through the carbon fiber body). This suspension design moves the dampers out of the airflow inside the front wheels, similar to F1 cars, improving airflow to the rear coolers.
The front and rear brakes are equipped with 410mm and 390mm carbon-ceramic brake discs, respectively, to control this powerful car. There are also two different forged wheels, paired with track-focused Michelin Pilot Sport Cup2 tires, claiming to reduce unsprung mass by 12kg.
Inspired by Formula 1
Although Enzo Ferrari once said, “Aerodynamics are for people who can’t build engines,” in modern supercars, aerodynamics have become an essential skill.
While the Valhalla’s design is more conservative, we can still see large diffusers and roof intakes for engine and transmission cooling.
Aston Martin states that this unique roof intake uses an integrated manifold, and the new ACAC (Advanced Charge Air Cooler) provides cooler air to the V8 engine, extracting more power.
The rear active wing is a crucial part of the active aerodynamics, capable of rising up to 255mm, generating 600kg of downforce at 240km/h.
In addition to the visible rear wing, there’s an active front wing hidden behind the Valhalla’s grille. The car’s braking relies not only on contact with the tarmac; during hard braking, the front and rear spoilers work together within 0.5 seconds, shifting the pressure center of the downforce rearward, providing extreme braking performance and higher stability.
This active aerodynamics system not only works during braking but also in “Track Mode,” where the front and rear spoilers become active, constantly adjusting to optimize downforce and vehicle balance.
When you don’t need them, they retract perfectly, maintaining the car’s elegant lines.
Additionally, the Valhalla directly adopts the side skirt design from F1 cars, using five vortex generators. Its doors are also shaped into an air duct, guiding airflow to the intake. Martin states that even without deploying the rear wing, the body has excellent aerodynamic efficiency.
Opening the rotor-style doors, you’ll find that Aston Martin has taken a different approach with the Valhalla’s interior.
Unlike the previous Vantage and Vanquish models, the Valhalla’s seating is noticeably more compact, with the driver’s seat closer to the vehicle’s centerline, a lower hip height, and heels almost level with the hips. Martin says this seating arrangement closely replicates the posture of an F1 car, with all the buttons on the secondary dashboard within easy reach.
“We strive to capture the pure emotion of the driving experience.”
Aston Martin understands that as a mid-engine supercar, the Valhalla’s driving experience is far more important than that of traditional GT models. Therefore, in the Valhalla’s interior design, driving feel is given the highest priority, with luxury taking a backseat to pure driving passion.
There’s not much to say about the in-car entertainment system since it’s all about connecting to CarPlay anyway.
ONE MORE THING
Besides the Valkyrie, Aston Martin also unveiled a concept car called the Vanquish Vision at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show mentioned earlier.
The company stated that this concept car would become Aston Martin’s first entry-level mid-engine rear-wheel-drive supercar, targeting models like the Ferrari F8 Tributo and Lamborghini Huracán at the time.
Although it won’t use as much carbon fiber as the Valhalla, it will feature an aluminum body and continue the existing exterior design, with a more restrained and elegant look.
More importantly, this entry-level car is unlikely to be limited in production. If you missed out on one of the 999 Valhallas, keep an eye on this car. Aston Martin plans to launch its production version in 2022.
I know it’s now December 2024. Just wait a bit longer; the Valhalla was delayed by three years, so this more affordable car will naturally be delayed as well.
Source from ifanr
Disclaimer: The information set forth above is provided by ifanr.com, independently of Alibaba.com. Alibaba.com makes no representation and warranties as to the quality and reliability of the seller and products. Alibaba.com expressly disclaims any liability for breaches pertaining to the copyright of content.
