Aston Martin Valhalla Finally Reviewed
After six years of anticipation, the Aston Martin Valhalla has finally hit the road in prototype form with Top Gear reviewing whether it outclasses the Ferrari SF90 and Lamborghini Revuelto. Starting at £850,000, reviewers praised the Valhalla's dynamic agility and hybrid performance, deeming it worthy of supercar status. The verdict suggests Aston's new flagship competes with Italian rivals but comes down to driver preference.
- The Valhalla was initially codenamed AM-RB 003 and developed in collaboration with Red Bull Racing's Chief Technical Officer, Adrian Newey. Its name follows Aston Martin's "V" car tradition and, like the Valkyrie hypercar, is drawn from Norse mythology. - A significant change during development was the engine; the original concept featured a bespoke 3.0L V6, but the final production model uses a 4.0L twin-turbo V8 from Mercedes-AMG, combined with three electric motors. - The final hybrid powertrain produces a combined 1,079 PS (1,064 hp) and 1,100 Nm of torque, enabling the car to accelerate from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 2.5 seconds with a top speed of 350 km/h (217 mph). - Production is limited to 999 coupes, an increase from the 500 initially planned for the V6 concept. Deliveries, originally slated for 2021, have faced delays, with recent reports indicating customer handovers beginning in the second half of 2025. - To refine the car's handling, Aston Martin F1 drivers Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll provided input, with 90% of the vehicle's dynamic setup being completed in a simulator. - The car features advanced active aerodynamics, including a morphing rear wing and underbody airflow management, capable of generating over 600kg of downforce at 240km/h (149 mph). - The Valhalla appeared as a concept in the James Bond film *No Time To Die*, where it was shown in Q's laboratory.
