Successor to the Valkyrie

Aston Martin has revealed the Valhalla, its highly anticipated mid-engined hybrid supercar and successor to the terrifyingly quick Valkyrie.

A series of firsts

The Valhalla is groundbreaking for the British marque on a number of different metrics. It becomes the first series production mid-engined supercar and the first plug-in hybrid, making it the first production vehicle with a dedicated EV range capability. The Valkyrie successor is the first to be fitted with a bespoke version of its highest performing 4.0-litre twin turbo V8, along with the brand’s all-new 8-speed Dual Clutch Transmission, incorporating an electric motor and electronic rear differential.

Formula 1 input

Aston Martin has also used the car to showcase a new design language and has leaned on the brand’s Formula 1 division to assist with aerodynamics. The aim of the Valhalla is simple: for it to thrive on both the road and track.

Aston Martin CEO, Adrian Hallmark: “Four years ago, we set out on a journey to transform the Aston Martin brand by taking its historic and unmatched luxury credentials and adding cutting-edge F1-inspired technology and class-leading performance, with the aim of taking on the most successful brands in the world.

“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.”

Why the Valhalla name?

Aston Martin has continued to the Norse mythology theme of the Valkyrie when choosing the Valhalla name, which refers to a warrior’s afterlife. In the mythology, Valkyries would guide the souls of fallen warriors to Valhalla after death, and as both cars use many of the same technologies, the car was previously referred to as the “son of Valkyrie”.

In more simplistic terms, the Valhalla continues Aston Martin’s tradition of names beginning with the letter ‘V’ that began back in 1951 with the Vantage.

Powertrain, performance and electric range

The Valhalla’s hybrid powertrain combines a new 816bhp 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine with three electric motors contributing 251bhp; two on the front axle and the third built into the night 8-speed transmission, sending dedicated drive to the rear axle. This adds up to a combined 1,064bhp and 1,100Nm of torque giving it a 0-62mph sprint time of 2.5 seconds and top speed of 217mph.

Thanks to the two electric motors on the front axle, the car has torque vectoring and a fully electric mode allowing 8.5 miles of range and a limited electric top speed of 80mph. This also operates as the Valhalla’s reverse gear.

There are four different drive modes to choose from in the Valhalla. When starting the car, Sport mode is automatically selected and the driver can manually choose between Pure EV, Sport+ and Race modes which all offer combination settings for powertrain, suspension stiffness, active aero and steering calibration.

Design and aerodynamics

The Valhalla has a predominantly carbon fibre body, giving it a low weight of 1655kg. The front end has a wraparound grille and larger matrix LED headlights. The side skirts are less aggressive than seen on the Valkyrie, while the Valhalla benefits from wing mirrors. Downforce has been improved by subtle bodywork elements without the need for dramatic wings, intakes and outlets seen on its predecessor, while two large venturi tunnels at the rear accelerate airflow under the car.

Rising from the roof is an F1 inspired roof snorkel, directing air to multiple places including two engine intake paths, air to air intercoolers and an engine bay cooing duct.

There are also pushrod suspension features at the front and a multi-link set up at the rear. This is lowered in Track mode, but can be raised when moving over speed bumps. A quad exhaust system amplifies the sound of that V8 engine.

The car sits on 20-inch front and 21-inch rear wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tyres.

Motorsport inspired interior

Inside the Valhalla, the Formula One influences found in the Valkyrie are seen again with a clean and simple motorsport inspired design. The lightweight one-piece carbon fibre seats are in a low hip-to-heel seating position with raised footwells for an experience that Aston says “amplifies the driver’s sense of connection without compromising comfort”. The steering wheel also takes its design cues from F1 and features a one-piece carbon fibre armature.

Aston Martin’s new interior design language has a carbon brace across the width of the cabin featuring a floating instrument panel with two screens; a main 12.3-inch touchscreen next to a row of physical controls which incorporates new EV features and a smaller 10.25-inch driver’s display.

As the first Aston Martin with a dedicated EV range, a clear graphic on the driver display shows the Valhalla’s energy deployment, electric power and energy regeneration in EV drive mode. AM Racing Green has been used throughout the interior in honour of its Formula One similarities.

How many Valhalla will be made?

Production on the Valhalla is due to start in Spring, with deliveries to commence in the second half of 2025. Only 999 will be made and while prices have yet to be confirmed, it is anticipated that the Valhalla will cost upwards of £850,000. Customers will be able to configure their Valhalla using the brand’s personalisation service, Q by Aston Martin

words: Mike Booth
pictures: Aston Martin