2022 Aston Martin Valhalla
Overview
Aerodynamics and awesomeness collide in the Valhalla hypercar, the third ludicrous love child of Aston Martin and the Red Bull Racing Formula 1 team. Previously teased as the 003 and briefly codenamed AM-RB 003, this machine follows in the slipstream of the awe-inspiring AM-RB 001 and the track-only Valkyrie AMR Pro. While the Valhalla lacks the extreme performance of its otherworldly brothers, it’ll still be more than capable of challenging incredible rivals such as the McLaren Senna. The Valhalla hasn’t yet entered production, but Aston says it will build only 500 examples. Here’s what we know so far.
What’s New for 2022?
The company has confirmed that this upcoming mid-engine hypercar will be called Valhalla, but Aston hasn’t given us all the details. We expect to hear more about the Valhalla closer to its on-sale date, which should be sometime in 2021—making it a 2022 model.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The mid-engine Valhalla will be able to reach extralegal speeds in a trice thanks to its F1-inspired powertrain, featuring a turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 engine combined with a hybrid system. Although Aston hasn’t disclosed the juiciest details (i.e., horsepower and torque), the British automaker confirmed that this powertrain will be designed in-house and will not be shared with the Valkyrie. The engine will be equipped with a dry-sump system to ensure that it’s always properly lubricated and sits as low in the chassis as possible, which in turn helps lower the center of gravity. Aston has also confirmed that the Valhalla will be a conventional “cordless” hybrid, not a plug-in. The company says the car’s transmission won’t be integrated into the hybrid system and that it will be compatible with other models in the lineup. To save weight, the company will use carbon fiber for this car’s structure and streamlined bodywork. We can only assume the Valhalla’s eye-popping design will be complemented by out-of-this-world handling, especially since the development team specializes in Formula 1 racing.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
The Valhalla isn’t in production yet, so naturally, the EPA hasn’t weighed in on its fuel economy. And it’s probable that it never will, as limited-production vehicles often qualify for exemptions. But if we receive those numbers, we’ll be sure to update this section. Should we get the chance to pilot one ourselves, we’d like to test it on our 200-mile highway fuel-economy route to evaluate its real-world efficiency—just out of curiosity. Hypercar owners are hardly concerned with such results.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
Behind the Valhalla’s wraparound windshield is a cutting-edge cockpit that seats two. Filled with what Aston calls “space-age” materials, the interior aims to minimize distractions. There’s a screen mounted on the steering column, so the driver’s eyes rarely need to wander. A discreetly integrated band across the upper portion of the dash provides ambient lighting, audio, and ventilation—eschewing the need for traditional lights, speakers, and air vents. And the thin center console features only a few switches. There’s a spot to store small items, such as a smartphone or wallet, as well as a storage space behind the seats, because ultrawealthy people need places to put their things, just like you and me.