Aston Martin Valkyrie
The Valkyrie is a joint effort between Aston Martin and the Red Bull F1 Racing Team, along with contributions from other companies like Cosworth, Bosch, Michelin, and Rimac. Designed primarily by Adrian Newey, who had been the Chief Technical Officer at Red Bull and has crafted some of the most successful Formula 1 and IndyCar vehicles over the past forty years, the Valkyrie (initially known as the AM-RB 001 and Nebula) stands out as one of the most aerodynamically sophisticated road cars ever created.
This remarkable vehicle generates an impressive 1,814 kg (4,000 lbs) of downforce—comparable to placing a Smart FourTwo on its roof to keep it grounded during turns—thanks to its distinctive design and various airflow channels around the front axle and roof intake. Even the wheels are engineered to optimize airflow.
In the design process, Adrian Newey envisioned the Valkyrie as an F1 car unrestricted by racing regulations, allowing for limitless technological innovation.
Accessing the cockpit is a snug experience, as the driver enters through doors that function more like roof hatches. The driver's seat is custom-moulded to fit the owner, and the steering wheel can be detached for easier entry. Inside, instead of a traditional gauge cluster, there are multiple screens displaying camera feeds, side mirrors, and vehicle data.
Under the hood, the Valkyrie boasts a 6.5-liter V12 engine from Cosworth, paired with a Rimac hybrid battery system. Together, they deliver a staggering 1,160 bhp, enabling the Aston to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph (0 to 97 km/h) in just 2.5 seconds and reach a top speed of nearly 250 mph.
Only 150 units of the Valkyrie will be produced, each priced at $3.2 million.
Aston Martin Valhalla (2022)
The Valhalla is a product of the partnership between Aston Martin and the Red Bull Racing F1 team, originally named AM-RB 003, and it incorporates many elements from the Valkyrie. Its aerodynamic design features a distinctive FlexFoil rear wing that can adjust the car's downforce without altering its angle of attack; this wing is seamlessly integrated into the bodywork and is said to produce no drag or aerodynamic disturbance. Inside, there's room for luggage behind the seats, a central console, and a phone holder for the driver.
The vehicle boasts a race-inspired steering wheel from the Valkyrie, complete with uniquely shaped paddle shifters on the steering column, and dihedral doors for convenient access. The chassis, crafted by Aston Martin, is a modified version of the Valkyrie's carbon fibre monocoque, while the body panels, made by Red Bull Racing, are also constructed from the same material. Powering the Valhalla is a Mercedes-AMG M178 LS2 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine paired with two electric motors, delivering an impressive 937 hp.
