Valhalla Aston Martin Valhalla (a.k.a. Project 003)

[Jo_Sta7]

I somewhat agree considering mid-engine isn't exactly A-M's forte. Unfortunately, front-engined GTs don't create the buzz and desire as it once did.

I like what I see with the Valhalla, but despite some of the technical advantages it has (CF tub) or seemingly has (advanced aero) over its closest rival, the SF90, the projected price may be difficult to swallow. And considering there's some behind the scene tumult over at Gaydon necessitating changes like abandoning a bespoke powerplant for one from AMG, that does take some sheen off the project.

Also for this kind of $ you’d prefer the more established and better run company in Ferrari. This car is way better looking than the SF90 though. By miles.

On the subject of the power plant, I’m not sure it matters. If the performance is there I’d way rather them source it elsewhere and actually bring this thing to market than try and make it themselves and flounder.

 

[KiwiRob]

Awful! Looks like a big Lotus Exige.

Agree, the RB003 was a stunner, how they managed to go from that to this boggles my mind.

 

[A.P.]

Stroll influence is strong with this one. How many bets the first prototype was way faster and better to drive than this?

 

[Ozy]

From the beginning I was a huge fan of this car - the original one - I think it had a very unique design compared to other similar super/hypercars. It will be the next Bond car for a reason, so yeah - sick.
After looking at the new production design, it’s still very good - there are elements and details which I prefer on the concept, and some on this one.
The thing that bothers me most, and IMHO the largest influence on the perception of this particular car - is the spec…

While this green is a classy and beautiful color on its own, the matte white and matte coral red colors on the concept version looks so much more cleaner.
The rims are also not my favorite - mixing such a simple design, with dual tone achieves a cheap impression - the ones on the original concept were so much more nicer.

So paint this car in matte white, put on some more creative matte black rims, and you will see something very similar to the original concept.

Also while searching for a photo of the concept I saw a rendering of a Volante version, and it’s indeed stunning. It could have been one of the most beautiful cars ever:

 

[klier]

Unfortunately, front-engined GTs don't create the buzz and desire as it once did.

Nonsense. Not making them doesn't mean no buzz.

Look at Ferrari. The 812 remains the highlight of the line-up. Or the Monza.

 

[Bridster]

As a design exercise, I think this is fantastic. Truly, one of the most beautiful cars I’ve seen maybe ever. I don’t much care for the Valkyrie. This is much better (to me). If this car existed, in working condition as advertised today, I’d pay $800k-1mm for it. But in 2-3 years, I’m not sure. I don’t know what else will exist and from what I’m told the 720S replacement will be a 4wd hybrid making around 900 hp with a dry weight just 100 kg more than the 720S. And it will cost around $400-450k with options. Tough to see how one can justify 2x as much for this car or 1.5x as much as an SF90 unless it really delivers.

Astons haven’t delivered on the performance front for years though. Look at the performance of the DBS Superlight (lol). All that power and nothing to show for it. You’d struggle to run sub 11.5 1/4 in that car.

It's a good point, there is gonna be a lot more competition in 2-3 years. The 720S successor, but also the Aventador successor (1000hp+, new NA V12, electric motors up front) and the Huracan successor (very likely an AWD hybrid with front e-motors as well). The Maserati MC20 should be getting a hybrid version too and then you have the possibility of a whole new hypercar generation from Ferrari, Mclaren and Porsche (since in 2024 it will have been 10 years since the last one), which might very well also all be AWD hybrids and likely with much better specs. Spec wise The Valhalla, actually, is rather close to the last hybrid hypercars like the P1 or the 918. Heavier than the 918, even with smaller electric range somehow.

 

[mihc]

 

[dalab]

I think it had a very unique design compared to other similar super/hypercars.

Strongly agree, the front with the grill in an ascending level in negative angle and the descending flanks in positive give it a remarkable originality and aesthetics

It could have been one of the most beautiful cars ever:

If it is not, it is close, they managed to be very Aston in an adventure and new format, quite an achievement, in profile it reminds a little of the new Mercedes mid-engine "F1" that they never finish presenting.

This next to that "Artura" or "Elva" shit, shows how to make a supercar with personality and identity, simply beautiful

 

[bmwz4coupe]

Looks like it is wearing a hat…

 

[Rolf]

This car is a beauty and it has so much more drama and style than the boring SF90.

Very nice styling details. A work of art with the body work and aerodynamics.

The angle on the nose is very shark like with a huge lip

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

Nonsense. Not making them doesn't mean no buzz.

Look at Ferrari. The 812 remains the highlight of the line-up. Or the Monza.

Yup, I agree, the 812 is with a doubt a highlight for Ferrari. In fact, there's a wait list for it as well as other Ferraris. So Ferrari can garner that buzz and desire because, a) it has a very desirable NA V12, and b) it's a Ferrari. Ferrari, as a brand, is still so revered with a deep and continuous racing heritage only rivaled by Porsche.

Now does the DBS Superlegerra, as delightful as it is, does it have that buzz and desire as an 812? Unfortunately, no.

I don't even think there's even much of a waiting list for it or any of their cars. I don't think there's much rabid demand for a Conti GT or 8er or even the upcoming GranTurismo because while the segment is not dead, it's not healthy. They aren't bad cars, but they don't get the lay person's attention like a wedge-shaped mid-engined supercar does. Unfortunately for A-M, that's just not part of its heritage. What's part of A-M's history are front-engined GT's, racing but less so relative to other makes, and a fictional albeit well-known spy.

 

[klier]

Now does the DBS Superlegerra, as delightful as it is, does it have that buzz and desire as an 812? Unfortunately, no.

No, but that has nothing to do with it being a front engined rear wheel drive car.
And everything with Aston Martin being a half bankrupt company that makes outdated cars in every way.

 

[TopspeedPT]

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[Ozy]

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Not convinced by the changes in the front, but the rest is better than the original, it’s actually more similar to the original 003 concept than the production car.

 

[Centurion]

I am surprised how stunning and refreshing the design is for a mid-engined car. It looks better than the AMG-ONE.

With a V8 Mercedes engine it won't be unique but an ICE only super/hypercar with a tried and tested engine will be healthy for the market.

 

[bmwz4coupe]

I am surprised how stunning and refreshing the design is for a mid-engined car. It looks better than the AMG-ONE.

With a V8 Mercedes engine it won't be unique but an ICE only super/hypercar with a tried and tested engine will be healthy for the market.

Yes, it looks very good and promising. But I have the feeling that in one or another way AM will manage to fu#% up this model also…

 

[Centurion]

Yes, it looks very good and promising. But I have the feeling that in one or another way AM will manage to fu#% up this model also…

They will likely get pricing wrong because it will have hypercar level carbon tub etc but have a supercar engine(hybrid AMG V8.

 

[Rolf]

It looks stunning, its actually one of the sexiest supercars around at the moment. Love the design inside and out. It makes the AMG ONE look awkward and fussy on the outside and cheap and mass market on the inside.

 

[Tourbillon]

Aston Martin Valhalla Update: Now Pushing 1,000 HP, Plus Even More Downforce

This do-it-all hypercar continues to develop—and to develop wilder performance.

www.motortrend.com

"Aston Martin Valhalla Update: Now Pushing 1,000 HP, Plus Even More Downforce
The new hypercar continues to develop more outrageous performance.

In an exclusive chat with MotorTrend, product development director Carlo Della Casa revealed other updates to the car, which the company expects will deliver track-blitzing performance and daily drivability.

Power (And Other) Changes
When we last checked in on the 2024 Aston Martin Valhalla, Aston said its Mercedes-AMG-sourced 4.0-liter twin-turbo flat-plane-crank V-8 produced 740 hp. Combined with a 400-volt hybrid system featuring an electric motor on both axles, total combined peak output was an expected 937 hp and 738 lb-ft of torque. Impressive figures, certainly, but at least one of them just became better.

The ICE V-8 recently registered 812 hp during a dyno run, Della Casa said; combined with the electric motors, the powertrain now peaks at 1,012 hp. (There is no updated torque figure at this time.)

Equally noteworthy, the company is investigating chassis revisions to perhaps accommodate dual front motors. Such an architecture would provide torque vectoring on the front axle, matching the same on the rear and improving handling. However, this tasty change remains undecided as development continues.


Further

Just a month or so ago, Della Casa said, engineers were able to reduce the structure's weight from 331 pounds to less than 220 pounds, a massive improvement. According to the development boss, the Valhalla's targeted curb weight is about 3,640 pounds, a number that would make it about 200 pounds lighter than Ferrari's SF90 Stradale hybrid. Again, that's a massive advantage when it comes to driving dynamics.

(But 3640lbs is still 1651KG!)

Last year, Aston Martin said the Valhalla's drag-reduction-system-equipped active aero package would deliver about 1,322 pounds of downforce at 150 mph. That's a big number for any road-legal car, and Della Casa now projects it at more than 1,433 pounds.

Meanwhile, as somewhat of a rarity in today's limited-edition big-bucks automotive space, **NOT** all 999 Valhallas are sold."

A very very interesting article with seemingly comprehensive refinements in all area's. I look forwards to it's introduction very much and it's track battles with the other legacy manufacturers!

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Aston Martin Newport Beach stated MID 2024 finished production delivery!

But DAMN it's a BEAUTIFUL car in that light green paintwork!

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[WBarnes]

AWD, now that is appealing.