Plug-in hybrid V8 Aston Martin Valhalla supercar revealed in production form
The Aston Martin Valhalla concept from 2019 has finally morphed into a production car that is quite far removed from the concept, but is said to be nearly 95 per cent close to finalised. What we have then is a mid-engined, carbon-tubbed Aston Martin supercar that'll sit below the Valkyrie, and push plug-in hybrid, AMG-sourced twin-turbo V8 power - all 950PS and 1,000Nm of it - to all four wheels via an in-house developed 8-speed DCT that debuts with the Valhalla. It all results in a 0-100kmph run in an expected 2.5s, and a top speed north of 349kmph.
Importantly, the Aston Martin Valhalla is expected to be priced at 580,000 euro, or Rs 5.1 cr directly converted, or roughly less than half what Aston was originally quoting for it - and it won't be sold in limited quantities. In fact, the Valhalla probably previews upcoming electrified Astons better than anything else so far, V12-powered Valkyrie included. The Aston Martin Valhalla goes into production in 2022, and will beat the upcoming "small" car in the line-up, the new-gen Aston Martin Vantage due in 2025, to the punch by a fair few years.
A lot of these changes can be attributed to Aston Martin's new CEO, Tobias Moers, the ex-CEO of Mercedes-AMG, including the shift from the bespoke V6 that was to be developed for the Valhalla, to the AMG-sourced flat-plane crank V8 otherwise seen in the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series, which Aston claims uses bespoke tuning, engine management, and mounts to deliver 750PS and a redline over 7,200rpm! Two electric motors - one on each axle - provides the extra 200PS for the headline figure, and the Aston Martin Valhalla will be able to move on electric power alone (being front-wheel driven in EV-only mode) for up to 13km at speeds up to 130kmph.
The concept's Le Mans prototype styling has been tweaked to better establish links to Aston's Valkyrie, also gaining a lot more aerodynamics-enhancing details, in the hood, fenders, and rear flanks. With the Valhalla, Aston is targeting over 600kg of downforce at 241kmph - and a 6 min 31 sec lap time at the Nurburgring Nordscheliefe, which will make it the fastest production car at the 'Ring. The target dry weight of 1,550kg means it will compare quite favourably with its natural rivals, the Ferrari SF90 and the newly-announced McLaren Artura.
Also read,
Aston Martin plans to electrify its entire line-up by 2030
New Aston Martin supercar rumoured to be called the Valhalla
Aston Martin's V6 plug-in hybrid engine to be its most powerful
