New video teases V12 soundtrack of the newly renamed Aston Martin Valkyrie, Aston’s hypercar built in partnership with Red Bull Racing
Aston Martin has officially confirmed that its new hypercar, built in collaboration with Red Bull Racing, will be called the Valkyrie when customers take first delivery in 2019. I’ll give you a second to get that music out of your heads…
Previously dubbed the AM-RB001, the Valkyrie – named for female figures in Norse mythology who select who may live and who may die in battle – continues the Aston’s tradition of giving its cars names beginning with ‘V’ (ignore the Cygnet). It’s a heritage that first began with the DB2 Vantage back in 1951.
The news goes deeper though, Aston Martin also confirming at the Geneva Motor Show that the Valkyrie will feature a Cosworth-sourced 6.5-litre naturally aspirated V12, set to be paired with both a KERS-esque ‘lightweight hybrid battery system’ and a seven-speed paddle shift gearbox from Ricardo. Precise figures have yet to be revealed and are unlikely to be, given that all 150 examples have already been earmarked for customers for just over $3 million a pop. However, it’s been speculated that 900bhp and a 900kg kerb weight means, like the Koenigsegg One:1, Aston’s hypercar will boast a 1:1 power-to-weight ratio. Either way, as the above video demonstrates, it sounds the absolute bollocks…
Finally, Aston Martin has also confirmed that the Valkyrie will wear Pilot Sport Cup 2 boots from Michelin as part of its performance focus. The tyres – 265/30 ZR20 at the front and 325/30 ZR21 – will wrap magnesium alloys that feature centre-locking hubs. If the Marek Reichman designed aerodynamics haven’t given the game away, the hypercar is set to be the most dynamic Aston Martin to-date: key input from Formula 1 engineering legend Adrian Newey has led Aston to suggest the track-going version of the Valkyrie could mirror LMP1 Le Mans prototypes in terms of cornering performance.
