Aston Martin Valkyrie: The Next Mclaren F1?
By Grant Cox
Just a couple of months back in August a Mclaren F1 went across the auction block at an RM Sotheby’s auction and sold for a whopping $19.8 million. Why, you ask? Because it’s an F1, that’s why. RM Sotheby’s didn’t just advertise the F1 as “the most revered modern supercar” to garner more interest from potential buyers for the F1 they were selling—they said that because that’s the truth. Everyone will agree: the F1’s impact on the sports car industry is unmatched.
But that could change with the upcoming release of Aston Martin’s new hypercar. The radically designed and uber-aerodynamic Valkyrie will soon begin to be delivered to its owners, and it’s expected send shock waves through the supercar segment much like the F1 did. Adding to its similarities to the F1, the Valkyrie is also a supremely lightweight, downforce focused, naturally aspirated V12 powered supercar developed by a storied British automaker and designed by a legendary Formula 1 designer.
In terms of design, however, the Valkyrie couldn’t be more different from its metaphorical predecessor. While the F1 has an understated exterior, the Valkyrie couldn’t be more different. Designed by the famous F1 technical director Adrian Newey, the Valkyrie resembles a spaceship more than it resembles any other road car. Newey wanted to get the most downforce out of the car while also meticulously saving weight, and it’s safe to say he got the results he wanted. With an expected curb weight of 2,400 lbs and the capability of 4,000 lbs of downforce at high-speed, achieved by some part through the use of two large Venturi tunnels instead of a rear diffuser. As air is squeezed through these tunnels it will speed up, dropping pressure and thereby increasing downforce. Since the Valkyrie has more downforce than actual weight it could theoretically drive upside down, but (sadly) the downforce will probably only be used for faster cornering.
That begs the question: how fast will the Valkyrie be? All we can say now is yes, since Aston Martin has yet to release any performance numbers. But given that Aston Martin hopes the Valkyrie can compete with a Formula 1 car at Silverstone, you can rest assured the the Valkyrie will be fast. Ridiculously fast.
The Valkyrie is undoubtedly the most insane and inexplicable car to ever come out of Aston Martin, and you should expect the supercar industry to be turned upside down when it’s released. This is a once in a lifetime car and will set the bar for what constitutes a hypercar, much like the F1 did when it first released.