It felt like ages ago when Aston Martin first teased the Valhalla, as what would be the brand’s first series production mid-engine supercar. Time went on without any news, and I even forgot that it even existed! But finally, the Valhalla is now ready for production, blending Formula 1 tech with that distinct Aston Martin charm, and it’ll also be the first plug-in hybrid from them, too. If you’re blessed with tonnes of cash and want to order one, you’d probably want to hurry, as Aston Martin will only make 999 units of the Valhalla, and this limited-edition run will begin production in Q2 2025. However, with so many superb mid-ship supercars, why the Valhalla?
Well, perhaps its mind-blowing performance might be enough to get you through the door… A whopping top speed of 217mph and a blisteringly quick 0 to 62mph time of 2.5 seconds! This is courtesy of a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine, which is then paired with not one, but three whole electric motors. Its total output, therefore, between the engine and motors, is an electrifying 1,079PS and 1,100Nm of torque. You could even pick and choose between four different modes to best suit your mood. In Pure EV mode, it only activates the front axle, offering you a decent 14km of range, while Sport and Sport+ modes allow the V8 and hybrid to work in harmony.
Aston Martin Finally Ascends Into Valhalla
Then, there’s Race mode, helping to maximise the Valhalla’s downforce and active aero bits to get you top-notch track performance. Speaking of, the active aero on the Valhalla can get you up to 600kg of downforce at speeds of 240km/h, and you could keep all that downforce all the way up to 350km/h! Other awesome aerodynamic features on the new Aston Martin Valhalla include the rear T-wing, a hidden active front wing, as well as hydraulic actuation to be sure that you’re able to make instant adjustments. Elsewhere, you’re also getting a DRS to aid you with reducing drag at higher speeds, and all that active aero could also act as an air brake.
It’s hard to get a closer look at them, but there’s a vast array of Venturi tunnels underneath, further optimising the Valhalla’s airflow. Plus, it helps with cooling, too! And of course, you’ll likely spot that distinctive roof scoop, channelling air into the engine. On that note, the three electric motors that work alongside the engine actually each have different roles. You’ll find that the two motors on the front axle manage torque vectoring, reverse drive, regenerative braking, and EV-only driving. Besides that, the third motor is integrated with the Valhalla’s 8-speed dual-clutch transmission, which then helps with powering your rear axles, to boot.
Integrating Formula 1 Tech In A Road Car
The Valhalla’s motors have more than a mere handful of cool party tricks, as well. A clever Torque Fill system helps with eliminating turbo lag by relying on the motors’ instantaneous electric torque. What’s more, there’s the E-Boost feature, helping to increase your Valhalla’s total tractive power beyond what the engine is capable of. On the rear axle, you’ll also find a neat E-Diff (electronic limited-slip differential) for more precise power distribution. All this is then cocooned within a bespoke carbon fibre tub, though thanks to the battery and all the hybrid gubbins, the new Aston Martin Valhalla is a rather heavy 1,655kg (that’s dry weight, too).
Nonetheless, at least, on paper, it still delivers an exceptional power-to-weight ratio of 652PS per 1,000kg. And hey, you might not even feel all that weight, with how much Aston Martin is able to disguise it. Primarily, there’s Formula 1-inspired push-rod suspension on the front with inboard dampers. In the rear, there’s a multi-link suspension with Bilstein DTX active dampers, working in concert with massive brakes. Specifically, the 410mm front and 390mm rear carbon brakes ought to offer awesome stopping power! I can definitely say that I’m finally ready to get interested in the Valhalla once again, more so once we get to see the first ones on the road.
