Red Bull Motorsports
F1
Codename AM-RB 001 becomes Aston Martin Valkyrie
The Red Bull Racing developed Aston Martin hypercar takes its name from a god. Find out more here.
1 min
The Aston Martin Valkyrie: AM-RB 001
Introducing the Aston Martin Valkyrie hypercar, designed in collaboration with Red Bull Racing.
In July 2016, Aston Martin and F1 team Red Bull Racing revealed their ground-breaking hypercar, codenamed AM-RB 001. Last weekend at the Geneva Motor Show the car's real name was finally revealed to the world – meet the Aston Martin Valkyrie.
Charged with creating a road car based on the unique innovation partnership between Red Bull and Aston Martin the collaboration has created a car the like of which has never been seen before.
Aston Martin designer Marek Reichman and Adrian Newey of Red Bull Racing have been working closely on all aspects of the project, striving to ensure that the car is entirely useable and enjoyable as a road car, but with the capability to perform like no other road car on a race track.
For those who crave an even more intensely focused driving experience, a track-only version is also in development, the projected performance of which is in line with current LMP1 Le Mans sports prototypes.
The Aston Martin Valkyrie
© Aston Martin / Red Bull Racing
Why Valkyrie?
The name chosen for the Valkyrie continues the tradition of Aston Martin 'V' cars, which began in 1951 with the Vantage, and was selected as a name to distinguish high performance variants of the then current model, the DB2. The Virage, Vanquish and Vulcan continued this lineage.
Crunching the numbers
Built around a lightweight carbon fibre structure, the Valkyrie has radical aerodynamics that deliver unprecedented levels of downforce in a road-legal car. Much of this downforce is generated through underfloor aerodynamics.
It will be built by David King and his team in the purpose-built facility created for Aston Martin's original hypercar, the One-77.
The Valkyrie will be hybrid, merging a 6.5-litre V12 with some sort of electric powertrain to produce over 1,000 horsepower. Mated to the all-new engine is a bespoke seven-speed paddle-shift transmission. Designed and manufactured by Ricardoto Red Bull Advanced Technologies' specifications, the gearbox will be the perfect partner to Cosworth's V12 engine.
Not content with commissioning the ultimate road-legal car, the Valkyrie also boasts a lightweight hybrid battery system supplied by Rimac. Acknowledged as world leaders in high-performance battery technology, the Croatian company has showcased its capabilities with the innovative Concept-One; the world's first – and fastest – electric hypercar.
The Valkyrie from the side
© Aston Martin / Red Bull Racing
The Valkyrie looks just as good from behind
© Aston Martin / Red Bull Racing
The Aston Martin Valkyrie is dripping with F1 tech
© Aston Martin / Red Bull Racing
Aston Martin Valkyrie from the front
© Aston Martin / Red Bull Racing
With a power-to-weight ratio of 1:1 (one horsepower for every kilogram of kerbweight) the AM-RB 001 requires a braking system that's more than the equal of its powertrain. Step forward Alcon and Surface Transforms, who together are responsible for supplying the lightweight, high performance brake calipers and carbon discs required to deliver the stopping power.
To guarantee maximum efficiency, performance and dynamic control, electronics experts Bosch have been entrusted with developing bespoke Engine Control Unit (ECU), Transmission Control Unit (TCU) and Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) systems for the Valkyrie, while UK light manufacturer Wipac is responsible for the hypercar's full LED headlamps and tail lamps.
Very nice, but how much will it cost me?
A maximum of 150 road-legal Aston Martin Valkyries will be built, including all remaining prototypes, with 25 additional track-only versions also planned. First deliveries are due to commence in 2019.
But here's the bad news for all that want to have the Aston Martin Valkyrie in the garage – all 150 cars that Aston Martin plans to build have already been sold for an undisclosed price. Rumours say the Valkyrie went for around £3,000,000 per car however.
Design by Aston Martin, chassis by Red Bull Racing
© Aston Martin / Red Bull Racing
