Aston Martin’s 937-hp Valhalla plug-in hybrid supercar makes production debut

Aston Martin knew a lot of commotion lately, from the cancellation of planned models and motors the restructuring of the Formula 1 team and the appointment of former AMG boss Tobias Moers as CEO. It seemed like Aston’s next line of mid-engined supercars was on the chopping block. Turns out that’s not the case, as Aston just unveiled the production version of the Valhalla supercar Thursday and frankly it blew us away.

The biggest problem is the powertrain. When the concept was unveiled in 2019, Aston said the Valhalla would use a new twin-turbo V6 engine developed in-house, but this has been put aside. Instead, the production Valhalla has a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 with a flat crankshaft. Aston says the engine is bespoke, but it’s probably a version of the V8 used by the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series. It produces 740 horsepower and has a redline at 7,200 rpm, with power sent to the rear axle. Aston describes the engine as the “most advanced, responsive and capable” V8 the brand has ever used and an exhaust system with active flaps and top tailpipes promises its bark will match its bite.

The V8 is complemented by a plug-in hybrid system consisting of an electric motor on the front axle and another at the rear. The Valhalla can reach 80 mph on electricity alone and it has an electric range of 9 miles. In EV mode power is only sent to the front wheels, but in other driving modes the electric boost is constantly varying between the axles – meaning the Valhalla has all-wheel drive – with the option of send 100% of the power to the rear. Total power is 937 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of torque, and Aston says the Valhalla will accelerate to 62 mph in 2.5 seconds and hit a top speed of 217 mph. The company said it was aiming for a Nürburgring lap time of 6 minutes and 30 seconds, which would be a new record.

The Valhalla uses an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission designed and developed specifically for Aston. Instead of a traditional reverse gear, it uses electric motors to support the car – which reduces complexity and weight – and it also has an electronic limited-slip differential on the rear axle. Aston says the electric motors and the V8 are capable of running different gears simultaneously, which provides super-fast response and acceleration.

As the Valkyrie, the Valhalla uses a new carbon fiber tub and Aston says the car has a target dry weight of less than 3,417 pounds. It has F1-style pushrod suspension up front with a multi-link setup at the rear; the front springs and shock absorbers are mounted on the inside, giving the front a cool look while reducing weight and improving packaging. The adjustable Adaptive Spool Valve shocks come from Multimatic and Aston claims the car’s suspension lowers “considerably” in Track mode. (There is also a front axle lift.) The brakes are carbon-ceramic and the Valhalla has 20-inch front wheels and 21-inch rears that are wrapped in Michelin tires specially designed for this car. Electric power steering would provide “immediate and intuitive” responses, with Aston adding that an “uncorrupted” connection between driver and car was the goal.

When it comes to the styling of the Valhalla, there have been some major changes, although it is still very close to the concept and even more breathtaking. The front is sharper, with bigger headlights and a wider finned grille that is more classic in Aston style. In addition, the hood vents have been moved to the base of the windshield. The pretty tapered greenhouse loses the top of the rounded windshield, but it still looks like it could have been caught in an LMP1 race car. There is a series of new gills that run from the side windows to the tail and the exhaust tips and roof scoop have been redesigned.

The side view is much more complex but even more beautiful, with the production Valhalla gaining an impressive spear-shaped line that flows from a new fender vent. The side skirt looks a bit cleaner, while the internal elements of the side scoops are more complicated. But the biggest changes are at the rear, where the Valhalla looks much more production ready. It still has a massive diffuser but it’s even wilder, with more lines and elements than before. The license plate is housed lower, with the upper part of the back receiving new mesh grilles and an Aston Martin script. There is also an active rear spoiler. Along with other active elements up front and a sculpted underbody, Aston says the Valhalla generates 1,322 pounds of downforce, with the carbon fiber body having been aerodynamically optimized based on F1 inspiration.

There is one major issue with the styling of the production Valhalla, however. Concept car featured prominently in upcoming James Bond film No time to die, which was originally slated for release last April. he was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic, it will therefore not be released until November. This means that when the film is released, the styling of the Valhalla concept will be outdated, as the production car has now been revealed. But hey, I’m sure Aston won’t complain – that’s still good publicity for the mid-engined supercar.

Aston has yet to release interior photos, but we have some new details. It will be available in left and right hand drive configurations, and it has more interior space than the comfortable Valkyrie. You enter through forward hinged gullwing doors that have cutouts in the roof and the low driving position is like that of an F1 car. The pedals and steering column are adjustable, while the seats are attached to the frame. A central touchscreen manages a new infotainment system (thank goodness) that also supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It even has dual-zone air conditioning.

There are other features that should also make Valhalla much more livable on a daily basis. The LED matrix headlights are adaptive and feature automatic high beams, and a panoramic camera system is optional. The Valhalla also comes with adaptive cruise control, automated emergency braking, blind spot monitoring and forward collision warning.

The development of the Valhalla is helped by Aston F1 drivers Nico Hulkenberg, Lance Stroll and Sebastian Vettel. Aston is silent on when the Valhalla will go on sale or how many will be built. (The original plan only called for 500 units, but that was years ago.) We also don’t know how much that will cost, although you can expect a price well in the six-figure range. There is also no word on whether the cheapest, the least crazy Defeat the supercar will happen again, but we keep our fingers crossed.