Aston Martin Valhalla Becomes Real, Delivers 937 Electrified Ponies
Unveiled as a concept in June 2019, the sensational Aston Martin Valhalla is finally here as the British company’s first series-production mid-engine car.
Initially, the plan was to use a twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 developed in-house, but the situation at Aston Martin has dramatically changed since Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll rescued the brand in early 2020 and Mercedes-Benz increased its stake in exchange for shared technologies.
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As a result, a plug-in hybrid powertrain featuring a twin-turbo AMG V8 derived from the German automaker’s Black Series models is now mounted to the lightweight carbon fibre chassis. Two electric motors are also part of the mix for a total of 937 horsepower.
The all-new dual-clutch gearbox has eight forward gears and no physical reverse gear. Instead, the motors spin in the opposite direction to allow backward manoeuvres, which saves weight and complexity in the gearbox. In certain situations, 100 percent of battery power can be sent to the rear axle, supplementing the full force of the V8 for maximum performance.
Aston Martin claims the Valhalla, which weighs less than 1,550 kilograms, can sprint from 0-100 km/h in just 2.5 seconds and reach top speeds of 330 km/h. In terms of outright track capability, a stunning 6:30 Nürburgring-Nordschleife lap time is being targeted.
Being a plug-in hybrid hypercar, the Valhalla is also capable of driving at up to 130 km/h and cover 15 kilometres in pure EV mode. That last number is pretty negligible, especially when you consider it’s based on the WLTP test cycle, which is more optimistic than the one used in North America.
Obviously, the expertise gained in Formula 1 is benefiting Aston Martin significantly. Development is nearing the end with the help of Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One Team drivers Sebastian Vettel, Lance Stroll and Nico Hulkenburg. The suspension, by the way, features Multimatic Variable Spring rate and Adaptive Spool Valve Damper units.
Unfortunately, there are no pictures of the interior yet, but the company says cockpit room is more generous than in the Valkyrie. Expect a minimalist, driver-centric layout with raised footwells for a low hip-to-heel seating position redolent of an F1 car. The digital interface will be powered by a new Aston Martin infotainment system and all the latest safety and driver assistance features will be included.
We don’t know how many units are planned, but the Valhalla will be available in both left-hand and right-hand drive to expand its appeal across international markets. There’s a chance the entire production run is already spoken for.
