Last Updated on October 19, 2021 by gregor
Aston Martin was launching its latest work in the Vienna Spanish Horse Riding School. This super sports car also has a mythical name – Valhalla – A plug-in hybrid should of course not be missing in the Valhalla.
At some point, for a car manufacturer like Aston Martin, dull model names like “DB5”, “DBX” or “One-77” could no longer suffice. And so the Nordic world of legends and gods has to serve as namesake. After the Valkyrie, named after the battle maids and shield maids who escort the fallen warriors to Valhalla, it is now the turn of the Nordic Olympus itself. The Aston Martin Valhalla, which is expected to go into series production in 2023, goes by the name of the mythical place.
950 hp maximum power and 350 km / h top speed
The Valhalla was developed together with the Aston Martin Formula 1 team. The structural basis is a tub made of carbon fiber, and most of the 1.5 tonne body consists of lightweight components.
The two tailpipes exit upwards and the exhaust system equipped with active flaps ensures the right sound.
Aston Martin is largely reluctant to use spoilers at the Valhalla and prefers to use extreme airflow. In addition, body surfaces that change depending on the driving situation and active air control elements should control the aerodynamics. At 240 km / h, the Valhalla should generate 600 kilograms of downforce.
It is powered by three engines: a V8 combustion engine from AMG, which is located between the passenger cell and the rear axle, and two electric motors, one on the front and one on the rear axle. The 4-liter twin-turbo petrol engine turns up to 7,200 rpm and delivers 750 hp exclusively to the rear axle. The petrol engine is supported by a 150kW / 400V hybrid system, which also delivers 204 hp. Together, the engines have a total output of 950 hp and a maximum torque of 1,000 Nm.
The data for the pure electric mode does not necessarily sound like a super athlete. The Valhalla can only travel 15 kilometers on electric power and has a top speed of 130 km / h. The drive then takes place exclusively via the front axle. It looks very different when the electric motors and the gasoline engine work together: Then the top speed is 350 km / h and the sprint from zero to 100 km / h takes just 2.5 seconds, according to Aston Martin. Depending on the driving situation, the electrical power is then distributed between the axles. Aston Martin is aiming for a time of 6:30 minutes for the lap on the Nordschleife. The current record for road legal cars there is 6: 40.33 minutes.
Purchase price between 800,000 euros
A new feature is the dual-clutch transmission with eight gears and an integrated electronic limited-slip differential on the rear axle, which has been specially developed for hybrid drives and can be operated manually using paddles on the steering wheel. The specialty of the transmission: the V8 and an electric motor can use different gears at the same time. To save weight, Aston Martin does not use reverse gear – that is the job of the electric drive. Carbon-ceramic brakes with “brake by wire” technology are supposed to ensure sharp delays.
The Michelin tires (front 20 inches, rear 21 inches) were specially developed for the Valhalla.
It’s pretty tight inside. It seems to be a law of nature that the space in such a car is inversely related to the purchase price. After all, getting in and out of the two-seater is relatively easy thanks to the swinging gull-wing doors. The two bucket seats are firmly fixed, but the pedals and steering wheel can be adjusted to the needs of the driver.
The price starts at 800,000 euros and production is limited to 999 pieces.