Aston’s 250mph Valkyrie
More power, noise and grip for track version of Aston’s hypercar
Even hotter hypercar
Aston Martin has revealed the track-focused version of its Valkyrie hypercar, which will have more power and torque and less weight than the standard model when it arrives in 2020.
The AMR Pro variant is being developed with Red Bull Advanced Technologies and AF Racing. Only 25 will be made and all have been sold already at a price thought to be above £3 million. The standard Valkyrie, all 150 of which have also been allocated, is priced between £2m and £3m.
Two computer-generated images of the Valkyrie AMR Pro show the major changes to the exterior. All of the aerodynamic surfaces have been changed to significantly increase downforce. There are also much larger front and rear wings, and there is a revised system of active aerodynamic control created for the specific demands of track driving.
Aston has confirmed that the naturally aspirated, 6.5-litre, Cosworth-built V12 has been tweaked to produce additional power and torque in the Valkyrie AMR Pro, but it hasn’t revealed by how much. A power figure for the standard version has also yet to be confirmed, but it is expected to produce more than 900bhp.
The AMR Pro runs on smaller wheels than the road version – 18in front and rear – so that Michelin racing tyres with the same specification as those used by LMP1 cars in the World Endurance Championship can be fitted. It also features all carbon brakes, similar to those used by Formula 1 cars.
Weight savings have been made by removing the heater and the infotainment screens fitted to the road car and through the adoption of lightweight components such as a polycarbonate windscreen and side windows, carbonfibre suspension wishbones and race-spec bucket seats. The Valkyrie AMR Pro’s exhaust system will be also be lighter because there are fewer silencing requirements for track cars.
The result of these changes, claims Aston, is a car with a top speed predicted to be close to 250mph, plus the ability to sustain cornering forces in excess of 3.3g and braking deceleration of more than 3.5g.
According to Red Bull’s simulations, the Valkyrie AMR Pro will be capable of achieving lap times to rival a current Formula 1 or LMP1 car. Owners will be given an intensive driver training programme.
Red Bull Technology’s Adrian Newey said the Valkyrie AMR Pro would have “a level of track performance significantly beyond any previous two-seat closed-roof car”.