Originally known as Project Nebula and AM-RB 001, the Aston Martin Valkyrie was conceived when Red Bull Racing and Gaydon-based Aston Martin were inextricably linked. Masterminded by the one and only Adrian Newey, the V12-powered thriller will be joined by another Newey-designed hypercar in 2024.
The British automaker promises to start production of the Valhalla this year, although it remains to be seen whether Aston Martin will follow through on that promise. In fact, the V8-powered bruiser continues testing five years after the Valhalla was revealed at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show.
Limited to 999 road cars, the Valhalla will spawn a track-tuned special edition dubbed the AMR. The acronym stands for Aston Martin Racing. It’s unclear at this time whether the Valhalla AMR is a track-only monster a la the Valkyrie AMR Pro. Another big question mark hangs over the powertrain modifications.
Photographed with five-spoke wheels rather than centre-lock wheels for the Valkyrie AMR Pro, the Valhalla AMR prototype spotted by car enthusiasts on Germany’s most famous racing circuit also sports Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 high-performance tyres. A more prominent front spoiler and side skirts help the Valhalla AMR stand out from the regular spec, with the prototype also sporting two sliding polycarbonate windows.
In the name of downforce, Aston Martin has also changed things up a bit at the rear. Similar to the standard Valhalla, the Aston Martin Racing uses a flat-plane crankshaft V8 from the mad professors in Affalterbach. It is the third application of the M178 LS2 engine after the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series and the spicier Track Series.
Photo: Baldauf
The 4.0-liter engine is paired with two electric motors instead of three as in Ferrari’s SF90 series, Lamborghini Revuelto, and the Huracan-replacing Temerario. In stark contrast to the Valkyrie’s seven-speed automated manual transmission, the Valhalla uses a dual-clutch transmission with eight forward ratios.
Aston Martin claims 998 horsepower and 217 miles per hour at full throttle, or 1,102 metric ponies and 350 kilometers per hour. Not bad for this particular configuration, but a little disappointing. On the other hand, the carbon-fiber tub will ensure a lower dry weight than the 2026 Lamborghini Temerario.
The target is 1,550 kilograms (1,690 lb), while the V8-powered Lamborghini supercar is listed at 1,690 kilograms (3,726 lb). The all-new Temerario is down on power, however, with the Ranging Bull from Sant'Agata Bolognese quoting 920 hp/907 PS.
Be that as it may, there is no competition between these exotic hybrids. The Aston Martin is a limited-production model, unlike the regular production of the 2026 Lamborghini Temerario, and we should also remember that Aston Martin has allegedly cut the initial asking price by £1 million.
It is said to be priced between £600,000 and £700,000 before options, which is almost three times the price of the Huracan replacement. Given the much more limited numbers and additional capabilities of the Valhalla AMR, it is reasonable to assume a starting price of around £1 million.