Preview: Aston Martin Valkyrie

Aston Martin Valkyrie

A little more than a year ago we brought you news regarding the exciting partnership between Aston Martin and Red bull. A partnership that would produce a supercar codenamed ‘AM-RB 001’ which would serve as a proof of Aston Martin’s renewed racing intentions.

Almost a year to the day of the official announcement of the partnership between Aston Martin and Red Bull, the AM-RB 001 moniker was dropped in favor of a formal name. A name in continuation of the tradition of Aston Martin ‘V’ cars: Valkyrie. A label rooted in Norse mythology that, according to Aston Martin, “promises otherworldly performance befitting of its name.” If the chatter surrounding the Valkyrie is to be believed, the Aston Martin/Red Bull collaboration has already begun to deliver on the promise inherent in the name of their car.

According to Road & Track’s special secret sources, Valkyrie will be powered by a 6.5-litre naturally aspirated V12 that will put out close to 1000-hp. The rest, yes there’s more, will come from an electric motor powered by a Formula-One style kinetic energy regeneration system for a total of about 1130-hp.

Aston Martin Valkyrie

Aston Martin is taking great care with this car to ensure that the end result is as close to the ideal as they can manage. Weighing in at 2,270-lbs an almost one-to-one ration of horsepower per kilogram Valkyrie is able to maintain downforce via the full length Venturi tunnels that run on either side of the cockpit floor, bringing ridiculous amounts of air beneath the car to feed the rear diffuser negating the need for external aerodynamic devices. Genius, that. Other weight shedding tactics include the absent side mirrors in favor of “discreetly mounted rear facing cameras,” no rearview mirror and the traditional ‘wings’ badge that is now 30 percent thinner than human hair!

There is no running prototype yet, but Road & Track’s sources name 2018 for the realization of that goal with first deliveries set for 2019. There will be only 150 cars available rumored to sell for about $3.2 million each; gasp!

With its purported speed and more or less confirmed design, Valkyrie is definitely vying for a spot in the Holy Trinity; the Holy Quartet? Doesn’t quite have the same right to it. ThoughtAston Martin Valkyrie

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