Jaws all over the world collectively dropped last summer
with the reveal of a
conceptshowcasing an early design for Aston Martin’s new Valkyrie hypercar being
developed in partnership with the Red Bull Racing Formula One team.
However, opposite to what’s usually the case in the auto
industry, the production version of the Valkyrie is shaping up to be an even
wilder car than the concept.
Aston Martin late on Tuesday revealed a near
production-ready example of the Valkyrie, and it’s got even more fins, air
channels and aerodynamically shaped surfaces than the concept. According to
Aston Martin, the design shown here is 95 percent complete. Some elements will
change as the design team, led by Red Bull’s expert aerodynamicist, Adrian
Newey, attempts to eke out as much downforce as possible.
Compared to the concept, new air channels designed to add to
the overall downforce of the car have been dug into the front wheel arches.
They also double as Aston Martin’s famous side strakes—a clear case of form
following function. The wheels also feature a flat surface designed to reduce
air turbulence. Aston Martin says this controversial design will be an
available feature, however.
The teardrop-shaped cabin’s upper surfaces and lower tub
contours remain the same as on the concept. They follow the envelope of space
available between the massive Venturi tunnels that run the length of the car
either side of the cabin’s floor. These help to generate most of the downforce,
allowing the upper surfaces to be devoid of additional aero elements and thus
retain their clean, almost sensual look.
The rear of the Valkyrie is where most of the changes have
occurred. The single exhaust exit of the concept has been replaced by a
twin-exit design while the trailing edge of the Venture tunnels now take on a
more curved appearance. This curved theme is carried over to the rear wing
which is now just a single arch. Also fitted to the car at both ends are the
production lights which are full LED units.
In case you’ve forgotten, the Valkyrie will be powered by
a mid-mounted
6.5-liter V-12 working in conjunction with a KERS-style hybrid system.
The V-12 alone is expected to produce 1,000 hp, making it the most powerful
naturally aspirated engine of any production car. An additional 130 hp is
expected to be added by the hybrid system’s electric motor. Both power sources
will drive the rear wheels only, via a 7-speed transmission of undisclosed
type.
Amazingly, we've heard that the power-to-weight ratio could
exceed 1:1, as measured in horsepower per kilogram. Assuming the 1,130-hp
output is accurate, the Valkyrie would tip the scales at sub-Mazda MX-5 Miata
levels! Weight-saving measures extend right to the Aston Martin badge which is
just 70 microns thick, or about 30 percent thinner than a human hair. The
aluminum piece, created using a special chemical etching process, is 99.4 per
cent lighter than the regular enamel badge used on Aston Martin cars.
In addition to being one of the lightest cars on the road,
the Valkyrie will also be one of the smallest. Despite this, Aston Martin
promises that the cabin, though tight, will be able to fit two 98 percentile
adults. Aston Martin Design Director Marek Reichman is well over 6.0 feet tall
and fits comfortably in the Valkyrie.
Access to the cabin is via small, Le Mans prototype-style
gullwing doors. To enter, you step onto the seat and then slide in and adopt a
reclined feet-up position just like in a modern F1 racer. A 4-point harness
comes as standard, while an optional 6-point harness will be offered for those
who intend to do more track driving. Oh, and the seats will be tailored for
each buyer.
To keep things as simple as possible, all switchgear is
located on the steering wheel, with all the vital signs shown on the main
display located on the wheel’s hub. The steering wheel is also detachable, both
to aid ingress and egress, and to serve as an additional security device.
Three additional screens feature on the dash. A screen at
the base of each of the A-pillars serve as side mirrors, with cameras on the
exterior replacing the conventional side mirrors in order to eliminate unwanted
aerodynamic disturbance. Similarly, since there’s no rear windshield, a
rearview mirror has also been replaced by a camera and screen.
Aston Martin will start testing prototypes later this year.
The company plans to build just 175 examples. Of these, 25 will be track-only
versions. A reveal will take place sometime during 2018 and the first
deliveries are scheduled for early 2019. By then, Mercedes-AMG will have launched
its own hypercar.
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