At last Aston Martin has confirmed the power figures for the Valkyrie, now that the prototypes are taking shape and the design of its engine and its hybrid system finalised. The Cosworth-built 65° naturally aspirated 6.5-litre V12 engine is a clean-sheet design for the Valkyrie, said to be in the spirit of the ultra-high-revving Formula 1 engines of the 1990s though benefitting from two decades of progress in design, material and manufacturing knowledge. Its peak power output of 1000hp (which works out at 153.8hp-per-litre) comes at at 10,500rpm, but it can continue on to a maximum 11,100rpm—a world first for a naturally-aspirated, emissions-compliant road car. With the addition of the hybrid system, power is raised to 1160hp at 10,500rpm.
The engine’s peak torque of 546lb ft is, not surprisingly, delivered lower down the rev range, at 7000rpm. That’s boosted to 663lb ft at 6000rpm by the hybrid system, which is a Formula 1 KERS-style boost system developed by two main technical partners; Integral Powertrain Ltd, who supplied the bespoke electric motor, and Rimac for the lightweight hybrid battery system. The battery pack itself also includes all relevant sub-systems and carries the vehicle’s power electronics, and the electric motor also aids the mechanical performance of the gearbox. In the same spirit of integral engineering, both the engine and gearbox casing act as stressed members of the Valkyrie’s structure, with the gearbox providing rear suspension mounting points, eliminating the need for an additional rear subframe.
Vice president & Special Vehicle Operations officer, David King said, “Aston Martin Valkyrie is set to be the ultimate hypercar in the automotive world and these performance figures underline that statement. Red Bull Advanced Technologies, Cosworth, Rimac and Integral Powertrain Ltd. have been fantastic partners in the development of this powertrain, ensuring that we have already created a hybrid system that is emissions-compliant and ready to begin fitting to our first physical prototypes. I am, as I’m sure the rest of the world is, incredibly excited to see and hear the first of these cars on track.”
Images courtesy of Aston Martin Lagonda
