Aston Martin enters the supercar league with the Valhalla
Fusing the performance-driven methodologies and technologies of Formula 1® with spectacular design and scintillating driving dynamics, Valhalla is a supercar of extraordinary scope.
With development now at an advanced stage the time has come to reveal full details of Aston Martin’s landmark mid-engined hybrid supercar.
As befits the ultimate driver’s supercar, Valhalla is a car of ‘firsts’: Aston Martin’s first series production mid-engined supercar and first plug-in hybrid, delivering the marques first production vehicle with dedicated EV range capability.
It is also the first model to use the bespoke 4.0-litre twin-turbo flat-plane crank V8 engine – the highest performing V8 engine ever fitted to an Aston Martin – and is the first to use the brand’s all-new 8-speed Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT), which incorporates an e-Motor and electronic rear differential (E-diff).
Valhalla also debuts a fresh design language. Extreme supercar performance expressed with fresh form and proportion, it bears the unmistakable Aston Martin hallmarks of flawless, uncorrupted lines and combines them with innovative high-downforce active aerodynamics.
Close collaboration with Aston Martin Performance Technologies (AMPT) – the consulting arm of the Aston Martin Aramco Formula 1® Team – on dynamics, aerodynamics and materials have brought an extra dimension of knowledge and skills to the Valhalla’s design and development. This vital contribution has aided Aston Martin to push the boundaries of supercar engineering and performance to deliver a car which shines on road and thrives on track.
For Aston Martin CEO, Adrian Hallmark, Valhalla expresses the future vision for the ultra- luxury performance brand; “Four years ago we set out on a journey to transform the Aston Martin brand by taking its historic and unmatched luxury credential's and adding cutting- edge F1® inspired technology and class-leading performance, with the aim of taking on the most successful brands in the world.”
“With the next generation of sportscars launched to critical acclaim, we are now adding the first ever mid-engine series production Aston Martin to our portfolio, the ultimate driver’s supercar.”
“On paper and on-track Valhalla delivers the most driver-focused, technologically advanced supercar, with true hypercar performance and yet on the road it is as useable and enjoyable as any Aston Martin. A unique proposition, designed to be the most elegant and exciting product in the market,” says Hallmark.
“We learned to think differently from developing the ultimate hypercar, Aston Martin Valkyrie and working with Adrian Newey. This knowledge and new methodology have allowed us to build on the strengths of our past successes and position Aston Martin as a class-leading company in technology, performance and experience for our customers who will be the custodians of this new piece of Aston Martin history, Valhalla.”
Technical overview
This relentless pursuit of excellence has seen Valhalla’s specification evolve significantly from the original concept with significant gains achieved in power output, downforce and dynamic capability.
Central to this is Valhalla’s best-in-class 1079PS and 1100Nm of torque hybrid powertrain comprising an 828PS 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine and three electric motors (two of which drive the front axle) contributing a further 251PS.
The Internal Combustion Engine, (ICE) produces 207PS/litre, the highest specific output from any Aston Martin. An all-new 8-speed DCT transmission sends drive to the rear axle, delivering split- second shift times and a thrilling shift character. Performance targets include 0-100km/h (62mph) acceleration in 2.5 seconds and an electronically limited 350km/h (217mph) maximum speed.
Active aerodynamics informed by the revolutionary Aston Martin Valkyrie generate in excess of 600kg of downforce. This figure is reached at 240km/h (149mph) and then maintained all the way to Valhalla’s 350km/h (217mph) maximum speed by using active aerodynamics to gradually reduce the front and rear wings’ angle of attack to ‘bleed’ excess downforce as speed rises, thereby keeping the aerodynamic balance consistent across a broad performance envelope for maximum driver confidence.
Sophisticated Integrated Vehicle Dynamics Control (IVC) electronics monitor suspension, braking, steering, active aerodynamics and powertrain systems to achieve optimal performance and driver connection in every situation.
Working in harmony with Valhalla’s four driver selectable drive modes, IVC continually shapes Valhalla’s dynamic character by monitoring vehicle behaviour and driver demands. Through precise calibration this immensely complex and sophisticated system delivers an organic, natural feeling driving experience. One which effortlessly and seamlessly ups its game to achieve new heights of performance and driver engagement.
On start-up, Valhalla selects Sport mode as default, with the driver able to manually select Pure EV, Sport+ and Race as alternative drive modes.
Each mode has its own combination of settings for powertrain (including Torque Vectoring and hybrid system integration), plus suspension stiffness, active aero, and steering calibration for distinct driving characters.
In pure EV mode, drive is from the front-axle motors only with a range of 14km and a top speed limited to 140km/h (80mph).
With the four defined drive modes, drivers can select their chosen mode via the rotary in the center stack. A tactile control, for maximum interaction between driver and machine. Each drive mode is purposefully calibrated to give the driver a distinct and differentiated experience.
In pure EV, silent on start-up, and the mode we imagine customers to start and end their journey. As the battery depletes its state of charge, Valhalla will automatically switch from EV to Sport.
Sport engages the 4.0-litre Twin-Turbo V8 engine and drives Valhalla as a hybrid supercar, combining the instantaneous torque of the electrified front axle with the exhilarating power of the V8.
Dialing up the theatre into Sport +, Valhalla is maximised for dynamic thrill on the open road. Race mode is all about ultimate performance, focused for the racetrack, and engaging the active aerodynamics.
In pure EV, Sport and Sport+ modes, the active rear wing remains stowed to maintain Valhalla’s elegant silhouette. In Race mode, the rear T-Wing raises by 255mm on powerful hydraulic rams for maximum downforce.
In conjunction with the distinctive and active rear wing, Valhalla employs a concealed active front wing, just ahead of the front axle, a component that is essential to how Valhalla controls the air in Race mode. A technical triumph, developed with a single mechanism to control and manage airflow across multiple surfaces, the active front wing is set to minimise drag in its default position.
When Race mode is selected the front wing shifts to maximum downforce mode with full range of movement including, an automated DRS function when the vehicle determines it needs to bleed of downforce.
Under braking, when in Race mode, the rear wing will dominantly deploy as an air brake, working in tandem with the active front wing to shift the balance of pressure and ensure optimal stability when delivering incredible braking performance.
For Aston Martin’s Director of Vehicle Performance, Simon Newton, developing Valhalla has been a unique and rewarding journey: “The challenge for the engineering and vehicle dynamics teams has been to harness, for the first time, the immense power of Valhalla’s hybrid powertrain through a combination of active aerodynamics and integrated dynamic control systems. With 1079PS and 1100Nm, extraordinary performance is a given.
“The challenge is achieving next-level speed, precision and exhilaration on track while retaining the characteristics of an enjoyable and highly emotional supercar when driving on the road. It’s this unprecedented dynamic bandwidth that separates Valhalla from its class rivals.”
