First photos: Aston Martin Valhalla hypercar hits UK roads

Valhalla is ready for the road

Aston Martin’s new hypercar has been photographed on UK roads before production starts in late spring. These official images show a road-registered Valhalla undergoing final sign-off testing.

In this relatively subtle shade of Satin Scintilla Silver with a Lime Green stripe, we think the mid-engined Valhalla looks sensational. Aesthetically at least, it has the edge over its hypercar rivals: the McLaren W1 and Ferrari F80.

‘Unprecedented dynamic bandwidth’

The Valhalla seen here was tackling Britain’s famously ‘challenging’ roads to fine-tune its damper calibration. Simon Newton, director of vehicle performance and attributes, said: “For the engineering and dynamics teams, the unprecedented dynamic bandwidth that distinguishes Valhalla from its rivals has presented many new opportunities during development.

“With a combination of 1,079hp and 1100Nm [811lb ft] via the hybrid powertrain, extreme performance is a given. To harness and refine the power to deliver an exceptional supercar experience on both road and track has meant tireless work has gone into the integration of active aerodynamics and integrated control systems.”

The reign in Spain

Aston Martin has also been giving the Valhalla a final shakedown at the IDIADA proving ground in Spain, helped by three-time Le Mans class winner Darren Turner.

The cars pictured here wear Podium Green with a Lime Green livery and Verdant Jade with a Valkyrie Gold livery. Note how the rear spoiler elevates when the Valhalla is switched into Race mode.

A link between F1 and the road

Intended to provide a tangible link between Aston Martin’s Formula One racing team and its road vehicles, the 217mph Valhalla is described as ‘a car of firsts’. New components include a bespoke flat-plane V8 engine, eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox and twin front axle electric motors.

Now let’s tell the full story of the Valhalla thus far, complete with the original – and equally beautiful – studio images.

A long gestation process

The Valhalla isn’t a recent idea. In fact, its design and development process has taken more than five years.

First revealed at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show, the original Valhalla concept had a completely different engine: a 3.0-litre twin-turbo six. Given supercar buyers’ reluctance to embrace downsized motors, reverting to V8 power seems like the right call.

Dramatic dihedral doors

The exterior of the Aston Martin Valhalla owes much to the original concept, but the shape has been refined and enhanced over time.

Changes have included modifying the front clamshell to use two components instead of 20, which saves 7kg alone. An F1-style roof intake feeds air to the mid-mounted engine, while the exhaust tailpipes exit through the top of the bodywork.

Dihedral doors bring some classic supercar theatre, but also incorporate innovative turning vanes into their design. Airflow from the front wheelarches is channelled by the inner surface of the door to cooling ducts for the engine and transmission.

Active aerodynamics for maximum ability

Although F1 know-how was used in the Valhalla’s design, Aston Martin has been freed from the restrictions of motorsport. This means it can use active aerodynamics, ensuring the new supercar is optimised for all conditions.

Adjusting to the driving mode chosen, the Valhalla can generate in excess of 600kg of downforce from 149mph. The angle of its rear wing adjusts automatically above this speed, ensuring the level of downforce remains constant. The rear wing also acts as an air brake for high-speed deceleration.

An F1-style Drag Reduction System (DRS) helps the Valhalla to reach a top speed of 217mph.

Beauty is more than skin deep

Carbon fibre is used extensively in the construction of the Valhalla, including for its monocoque chassis and body panels. This has helped reduce the car’s dry weight to 1,655kg when all lightweight options are chosen.

Aluminium subframes have also been used, featuring racing-style pushrod suspension at the front. Upgraded Bilstein DTX adaptive dampers and carbon ceramic brakes are both fitted as standard.

Regenerative braking is a feature of the Valhalla, with brake-by-wire technology included. This ensures that braking force is actively divided between both the electric motors and conventional brakes.

A new twin-turbocharged V-8

At the heart of the Aston Martin Valhalla is a flat-plane-crank 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine, sending 828hp and 651lb ft of torque to the rear wheels. This makes it the highest-performing V8 in a road-going Aston Martin.

Factor in a trio of electric motors and the Valhalla generates a combined total of 1,079hp and 811lb ft of torque. Two motors are mounted on the front axle, with the third integrated into the eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

The motors provide F1-style ‘torque fill’ during acceleration. There is also an ‘E-Boost’ mode for good measure.

Unleashing all that power can propel the Valhalla from 0-62mph in just 2.5 seconds, aided by all-wheel-drive traction from its engine and electric motors.

Plug-in hybrid AWD potential

The Valhalla’s high-voltage battery allows it to be driven on electric power alone for up to nine miles, reaching a maximum speed of 80mph in near-silence.

Torque vectoring on the front axle, along with the rear axle’s electronic limited-slip differential, control the power being sent to all four wheels – depending on the drive mode chosen.

The Valhalla has no reverse gear, using its electric motors to travel backwards when needed.

Influenced by Fernando Alonso’s workplace

There is no denying the influence of Aston Martin’s Formula One programme in the Valhalla’s interior, most notably its squared-off carbon fibre steering wheel and minimalist digital display.

The shift lights on the instrument panel were designed by the Aston Martin F1 team. Even the seating position is said to mirror that familiar to Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll.

Unlike Aston Martin’s racing drivers, those aboard the Valhalla will have access to the large infotainment screen. Apple CarPlay phone connectivity is included, too.

Crafted from carbon fiber

Carbon fibre is used for a brace that stretches the full width of the dashboard. More forged carbon is found on the minimalist centre console and door linings.

The bucket seats are crafted from carbon fibre and clad in grippy Alcantara. Leather upholstery is on the options list, which also includes multiple opportunities for personalisation.

A Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system is available. Or for an alternative aural experience, there is a lightweight titanium exhaust.

Original AM-RB 003 concept revealed

Such details are a long way from the Valhalla’s debut, which took place in 2019 at the Geneva Motor Show.

At the time, the concept car was known as the AM-RB 003, a product of the collaboration between Aston Martin and the Red Bull Racing team. With Aston now having its own rival F1 project, the references to Red Bull have naturally been dropped.

The styling of the AM-RB 003 involved the work of celebrated Red Bull designer Adrian Newey who, ironically, has joined Aston Martin’s F1 team for 2025.

Aston Martin’s mid-engined plans

The Valhalla concept was not the only new Aston Martin making a debut at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show.

Also on the Aston stand was the Vision Vanquish Concept, which previewed a mid-engined V6 replacement for the brutish DBS Superleggera. Intended to rival the McLaren 720S, this car would eventually be canned in favour of the new, front-engined Vanquish.

Concept Valhalla hits the track with Valkyrie

During its initial development, the Aston Martin Valhalla made a dynamic debut at the Silverstone circuit in 2019.

Photographed driving alongside the extreme Valkyrie hypercar, the moving debut demonstrated how serious Aston Martin was about creating the mid-engined Valhalla.

Early Valhalla plans for V6 power

Like the Vision Vanquish Concept, Aston Martin envisaged that the Valhalla would make use of a 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6 engine.

Fitted with hybrid technology, the V6 was expected to become the most powerful engine in the Aston Martin range, delivering up to 1,000hp.

Instead, Aston’s relationship with Mercedes-AMG sees the finished production car feature the proven 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged AMG V8, albeit in a bespoke specification.

Completed Valhalla sets a range of firsts

Now in completed production guise, the Valhalla can lay claim to various different firsts for the Aston Martin marque.

It will be Aston Martin’s first series production mid-engined supercar, and the company’s first car with plug-in hybrid technology – allowing for a limited, all-electric range.

It will also serve as the first Aston with the 4.0-litre flat-plane-crank V8, plus its accompanying eight-speed dual-clutch transmission with paddles.

Customisation by Q encouraged

As has become common with new Aston Martin models, buyers will be able to tailor the interior and exterior design of the Valhalla to their exact specification.

Customers can choose from the exterior bodywork being painted or using exposed carbon fibre in various tinted shades. Ultra-lightweight magnesium wheels appear on the options list, too.

Inside, multiple colourways and trim finishes are possible, ensuring no two Valhallas are likely to be the same.

The Valhalla is now available on Aston Martin’s online configurator to help plan your dream specification.

A true limited-edition model

When Aston Martin initially announced its plans for the Valhalla, just 500 examples were due to be built.

Now, the company has confirmed that 999 cars will make up the production run, effectively doubling the chances of owning a Valhalla.

In terms of prices, much depends on whether you indulge in extensive customisation by Aston Martin’s ‘Q’ division – as many owners surely will. However, bank on requiring upwards of £850,000 to get in on the action.

Lights out for the start of production

Aston Martin’s new CEO, Adrian Hallmark, commented: “On paper and on-track, Valhalla delivers the most driver-focused, technologically advanced supercar, with true hypercar performance, yet on the road it is as useable and enjoyable as any Aston Martin. A unique proposition, designed to be the most elegant and exciting product in the market.”

Now ready for production, Aston Martin will start building the Valhalla very soon. The first customers should receive their completed cars towards the end of the year.