Picture this: a car that looks like it escaped from a Formula 1 track and decided to roam city streets.
The Aston Martin Valkyrie isn’t just another luxury vehicle. It’s a 1,160-horsepower beast that makes supercars look tame.
Most hypercar reviews focus on specs and numbers. But what’s it actually like to experience this machine? This review goes beyond the technical jargon.
In this blog, I have examined the real-world experience of the Valkyrie car – from its jaw-dropping design to its track-focused performance.
Get ready to learn what makes this hypercar truly special.
Origin and Inspiration Behind the Aston Martin Valkyrie Car
The Valkyrie was born from an ambitious dream shared over dinner in 2016.
F1 design legend Adrian Newey, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner, Aston CEO Andy Palmer, and marketing head Simon Sproule conceived the idea over “four plates of bangers and mash”.
\With this, Newey finally gets his chance to build the “ultimate road car” he’d wanted to create since he was six years old.
Originally codenamed “Nebula” – an acronym combining Newey, Red Bull, and Aston Martin – the project was later renamed AM-RB 001 before getting its final identity.
The Valkyrie name comes from Norse mythology, continuing Aston Martin’s tradition of “V” nomenclature for their highest-performance cars, joining the lineage of Vantage, Vanquish, and Vulcan.
This collaboration between Aston Martin and Red Bull Racing’s advanced technologies aimed to create something unprecedented.
It turned out to be a track-oriented car that’s entirely usable as a road car, conceived with direct input from Formula One expertise.
Aerodynamics, Style, and Innovations of Valkyrie Car Design
The Valkyrie’s teardrop-shaped cockpit follows enormous full-length Venturi tunnels running beneath the car.
This helps in generating extraordinary downforce while keeping upper surfaces clean.
| Design Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Downforce | 2,400 lbs at 135+ mph |
| Active Control Surfaces | 4 additional surfaces plus front/rear wings |
| Wings Badge | 70 microns thick (30% thinner than human hair) |
| Badge Weight | 99.4% lighter than a regular badge |
| Brake Light (CHMSL) | 5.5mm wide x 9.5mm high (world’s smallest) |
| Venturi Tunnels | Full-length beneath the cockpit floor |
| Cockpit Shape | Teardrop-shaped |
| Vision Screens | 3 screens replacing mirrors (2 side + 1 rear) |
| Aerodynamic Development | 8 years of simulated running time |
Inside the Valkyrie’s Advanced Powertrain
Image Source: Aston Martin Works
The Valkyrie car has a powertrain that represents Formula One technology adapted for the road.
At its heart sits a Cosworth-built 6.5-liter naturally aspirated V12 that revs to an incredible 11,100 rpm, producing 1,001 horsepower at 10,500 rpm.
This engine acts as a stressed structural member of the car, bolted directly to the carbon fiber monocoque like a race car.
The hybrid system, developed by Rimac and Integral Powertrain, adds a KERS-style electric motor contributing 160 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque, bringing total output to 1,160 horsepower.
The electric motor is positioned between the engine and the seven-speed gearbox, providing both power boost and energy recovery functions.
Valkyrie Models Compared: Coupe vs. Spider vs. AMR Pro
Aston Martin produced three distinct Valkyrie variants: 150 road-going Coupés, 85 open-top Spiders, and 40 track-only AMR Pro models.
Each Valkyrie model offers different levels of performance and exclusivity.
Coupe Model
The foundation Valkyrie Coupe was limited to 150 worldwide units, featuring traditional gullwing doors and a completely enclosed carbon fiber cockpit.
This road-legal version maintains the full hybrid system, combining the 6.5-liter V12 with electric motor assistance for 1,139 horsepower total output.
It reaches a top speed of 220 mph and generates 2,400 pounds of downforce at high speeds.
Aston Martin Valkyrie Spider Variant
The Valkyrie Spider trades the Coupe’s gullwing doors for front-hinged butterfly doors and features a removable carbon fiber roof panel.
Limited to just 85 examples, it maintains identical performance to the Coupe with the roof attached (217 mph) but drops to 205 mph with the roof removed.
The roof panel includes polycarbonate windows, making the interior brighter than the Coupe while maintaining a minimal weight penalty.
AMR Pro Track Edition
The track-only AMR Pro was initially planned for 25 units but increased to 40 examples.
It removes the hybrid system entirely, relying solely on the modified V12 engine producing up to 1,300 horsepower.
The AMR Pro features aggressive aerodynamic modifications including an LMP1-style rear fin, large dual-element rear wing, and extended rear diffuser.
It runs on 18-inch wheels with LMP1-spec racing tires and upgraded carbon-ceramic brakes.
Valkyrie Specs & Performance Details
The Valkyrie delivers 1,139 combined horsepower through its naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12.
| Category | Component | Specification |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | Engine Type | 6.5L naturally aspirated V12 |
| V12 Power | 1,001 hp @ 10,500 rpm | |
| V12 Torque | 575 lb-ft @ 7,000 rpm | |
| Redline | 11,100 rpm | |
| Hybrid System | Electric Motor | 141 hp, 206 lb-ft |
| Combined Output | 1,139 hp, 682 lb-ft | |
| Drivetrain | Transmission | 7-speed automated manual |
| Performance | 0-60 mph | 2.3 seconds (estimated) |
| Top Speed | 220 mph (electronically limited) | |
| G-Forces | 3.3G cornering, 3.5G braking | |
| Aerodynamics | Downforce | 2,400 lbs @ 135+ mph |
| Dimensions | Weight | 2,850 lbs (estimated) |
| Wheelbase | 109.0 inches | |
| Length | 177.4 inches | |
| Width | 75.6 inches | |
| Height | 41.7 inches | |
| Wheels & Tires | Front Tires | 265/35-ZR20 |
| Rear Tires | 325/30-ZR21 | |
| Wheels | 20″ front, 21″ rear magnesium | |
| Construction | Structure | All carbon fiber monocoque |
Valkyrie Availability, Pricing & Production Details
Production ran from November 2021 to December 2024, with Aston Martin manufacturing a total of 275 units across all variants.
The standard Coupe was limited to 150 examples priced around $3 million, while the Spider variant produced just 85 units at an estimated $3.5-4 million each.
The track-only AMR Pro was initially planned for 25 units but expanded to 40 examples, costing approximately $3.5 million.
All variants sold out before production began, with the Spider model being twice oversubscribed. In the United States, the Valkyrie is sold under NHTSA’s Show and Display exemption, limiting owners to 2,500 miles annually.
Aston Martin implemented strict anti-flipping policies, preventing customers from quickly reselling their vehicles on the secondary market to maintain exclusivity and brand integrity.
To know more about the availability of Valkyrie, you’ll need to contact Aston Martin dealers specializing in high-end vehicles.
Key Takeaway
The Aston Martin Valkyrie represents the absolute peak of hypercar engineering.
With its 1,139-horsepower hybrid V12, revolutionary aerodynamics, and Formula One DNA, it’s not just a car; it’s a statement piece that bridges the gap between road and track.
The Valkyrie car proves that when brilliant minds like Adrian Newey push boundaries without compromise, magic happens.
For those lucky enough to secure one of the examples ever built, I would say you’re not just buying a hypercar.
You’re investing in the last naturally aspirated V12 legend before the automotive world goes fully electric. This is your chance to own tomorrow’s classic today.
