Aston Martin

Valkyrie

Aston Martin Valkyrie: Redefining the Impossible

The Aston Martin Valkyrie (codenamed AM-RB 001) is the result of a pub conversation between Aston Martin bosses and Adrian Newey, the most successful designer in Formula 1 history. Newey had always wanted to build a road car, but he wanted to do it without rules. No regulations, no compromises.

The result is a car that makes a Ferrari LaFerrari look like a bus.

Aerodynamics: The Venturi Tunnels

Most cars have a flat floor. The Valkyrie has Venturi Tunnels. Because there is no engine or gearbox in the way (they are mounted high up), Newey designed two massive tunnels that run underneath the car.

  • Size: You can practically crawl inside them.
  • Function: These tunnels accelerate air under the car, creating a vacuum that sucks the car to the road.
  • Downforce: It generates 1,814 kg of downforce at high speed. The car essentially drives upside down on the ceiling of the air.

The Engine: 11,100 RPM

Cosworth was tasked with building the engine. Newey had one requirement: It had to be a naturally aspirated V12, and it had to be a structural part of the chassis.

  • Specs: 6.5-liter V12.
  • Redline: 11,100 rpm.
  • Power: 1,000 hp (plus 160 hp from the hybrid system for a total of 1,155 hp).
  • Maintenance: The engine needs to be rebuilt every 100,000 km (if anyone ever drives it that far).

The Interior: Feet Up

To fit two humans into such a tiny teardrop shape, the seating position is derived from F1.

  • Position: Your feet are higher than your hips. The seat is fixed to the carbon tub; you move the pedals and wheel.
  • Space: It is claustrophobic. You rub shoulders with your passenger. It is loud, hot, and vibrates violently.

Active Suspension

Because the aero load is so high, the suspension has to be active. If the car hits a bump at 200 mph with 1.8 tons of downforce, the suspension needs to be rock hard to prevent the car from bottoming out. At low speeds, it softens up.

The AMR Pro

For those who think the road car is too soft, there is the Valkyrie AMR Pro.

  • Changes: No hybrid system (saves weight), longer wheelbase, bigger wings.
  • Performance: It can lap the Silverstone circuit as fast as a modern LMP1 race car.

Conclusion

The Valkyrie is not a car; it is an engineering exercise. It is uncomfortable, impractical, and terrifying. It is also the greatest achievement in the history of road cars. It is Adrian Newey’s masterpiece.