Unveiling Aston Martin Valhalla: Revolutionising Luxury Supercars with Formula 1® Precision and Performance
The Aston Martin Valhalla, the luxury brand's inaugural series production mid-engine supercar, leverages Formula 1®'s fastest laboratory, reaping the benefits of accelerated technological development in speed, reliability, and performance. Aston Martin integrates race-proven methodologies, expertise, and technologies from the Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One® team (AMF1) to amplify the development of forthcoming models.
Marco Mattiacci, Aston Martin's Global Chief Brand and Commercial Officer, states: "Aston Martin aims to construct a range of exceptional, class-leading driver-focused cars, pivotal in expanding our core product line-up. Our inaugural series production mid-engine supercar will be transformative for our ultra-luxury performance brand and the mid-engine segment. Valhalla embodies Aston Martin's collaboration between our road car engineers and the Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One® team's F1® engineering capabilities through Aston Martin Performance Technologies, showcasing our broad technical expertise with Formula 1® support."
The technical exchange between Aston Martin and its eponymous Formula 1® team, currently ranked fourth in the FIA Formula One World Constructors' ChampionshipTM, is facilitated by the team's consulting arm, Aston Martin Performance Technologies (AMPT). AMPT directly aids Aston Martin's performance engineering team in three key areas of development: dynamics, aerodynamics, and materials.
Claudio Santoni, Aston Martin Performance Technologies Engineering Director, adds: "Access to the unique skills and knowledge of a Formula 1® team is a significant advantage for a car manufacturer. F1® engineers continually push performance boundaries, offering rapid problem-solving tools. With this knowledge' in-house,' we seamlessly integrate F1® expertise into road car development."
Aston Martin Valhalla, a truly driver-focused mid-engine supercar, undergoes meticulous development by the vehicle dynamics group with AMPT to deliver pinpoint dynamics, ensuring unprecedented driver engagement. Utilising simulation tools akin to F1®, 90% of Valhalla's dynamic characteristics and vehicle setup are refined in the simulator, with the final phase conducted on the road and track.
Valuable input from AMF1 drivers elevates Valhalla's calibration, enhancing vehicle dynamics. Elite drivers like Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso push Valhalla to its performance limits, refining its capabilities.
Valhalla's cockpit ergonomics draw inspiration from Formula 1®, optimising the driving position for race car-level control, enhanced by AMPT support. This alignment ensures drivers feel deeply connected to the car while maintaining road car comfort.
Collaboration between AMPT and Aston Martin's aerodynamicists, drawing from road cars and Formula 1®, results in addictive road cars blending luxury and performance. Valhalla's aerodynamic approach mirrors that of an F1® car, leveraging active aerodynamic systems to generate over 600kg of downforce at 240km/h, maximising grip and balance.
Valhalla's aerodynamics draw inspiration from F1®, featuring multi-element wings and innovative airflow management systems akin to the AMR23 race car, enhancing downforce and agility across the performance spectrum.
AMPT and the AMF1 team's expertise in carbon fibre construction inform Valhalla's structure, maximising stiffness with minimal weight. Valhalla's carbon structure uses advanced composite technology to achieve exceptional dynamic attributes and safety standards crafted for optimal performance.
Valhalla's carbon structure, developed using proprietary technology, delivers unparalleled stiffness, strength, and lightness, ensuring top-tier dynamic performance and safety. Additionally, integrating a bespoke twin-turbo flat-plane V8 engine and three e-motors propels Valhalla towards electrification while maintaining peak performance.
Carlo Della Casa, Aston Martin's Product Development Director, concludes: "Access to the expertise within the AMF1® team has been invaluable as we develop this extraordinary car. Our goal for Valhalla is to set best-in-class standards for performance, dynamics, and driving pleasure, bridging the gap between amateur and professional drivers on the track." The first running prototype is slated for later this year, with production set to commence in 2024.
