Aston Martin has finally detailed the Valhalla, its all-new plug-in hybrid (PHEV) supercar that’s scheduled to commence production during the second quarter of 2025 – and you’ll be able to buy one in Australia.
The brand’s first PHEV will be limited to 999 examples globally, and is said to fuse “the performance-driven methodologies and technologies of Formula 1 with spectacular design and scintillating driving dynamics”.
It’s also Aston Martin’s first series production mid-engine supercar, and the first model to use the brand’s new ‘bespoke’ 4.0-litre twin-turbo flat-plane crank V8 engine, which it describes as “the highest performance V8 engine ever fitted to an Aston Martin”.
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On its own the Valhalla’s V8 develops 609kW. Its specific output of 152kW per litre is the highest of any Aston, ever.
It’s mated with an all-new eight-speed dual-clutch automatic which sends drive from the combustion engine to the rear axle, though there are also three electric motors – two driving the front axle, one built into the transmission – which add another 184kW.
In total, the Valhalla has combined system outputs of 793kW and 1100Nm.
Aston Martin claims the Valhalla can sprint from 0-100km/h in just 2.5 seconds, on its way to an electronically limited top speed of 350km/h.
Keeping all that grunt on the tarmac is a suite of active aero technologies which generate “in excess of” 600kg in downforce between 240-350km/h.
Aston Martin says this level of downforce is maintained by gradually reducing the angles of the front and rear wings to ‘bleed’ excess downforce as the vehicle’s speed rises.
As a result, the company claims the Valhalla keeps “the aerodynamic balance consistent across a broad performance envelope for maximum driver confidence”.
There’s also an Integrated Vehicle Dynamics Control system which constantly monitors the suspension, braking, steering, active aero and powertrain systems to “achieve optimal performance and driver connection in every situation”.
On start-up, the Valhalla defaults to Sport mode, which will fire the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 from the get-go and have the Valhalla drive as a hybrid. Drivers can manually select Pure EV mode for a silent getaway.
Aston Martin doesn’t quote a capacity for the high-voltage hybrid battery, but says it features a 400V electrical architecture and 14km of electric driving range at speeds of up to 140km/h.
Sport+ and Race modes are also available, with all four drive mode tailoring settings for the powertrain – including torque vectoring, hybrid system integration – suspension, active aero and steering systems.
An active rear T-wing extends by 255mm in Race mode for maximum downforce, though it remains stowed in other modes “to maintain [the] Valhalla’s elegant silhouette.
Formula 1 buffs may geek out at the front wing’s automated DRS function when the Valhalla’s active aero decides to ‘bleed’ downforce. The rear wing also acts as an air brake in Race mode.
In its more technical description of the Valhalla’s powertrain, Aston Martin says the Valhalla’s V8 engine differs from the unit found in the Vantage, DB12 and DBX707 models with its dry sump lubrication system, providing better oil supply “even under high lateral forces on the racetrack”.
The flat-plane crankshaft – which results in the engine missing the rumble of a traditional cross-plane – is the other main distinction from the V8 used in other Aston Martin products.
New camshafts and exhaust manifolds feature, as well as a larger turbo compressor wheel which Aston Martin says brings an air increase per hour rate of almost 20 per cent compared to the most powerful cross-plane V8 used in the DBX707.
With no mechanical connection between the front and rear axles, the Aston Martin Valhalla uses the aforementioned Integrated Vehicle Dynamics Control and Integrated Power Brake systems to continually monitor and manage power delivery at each axle.
There’s torque vectoring on the front axle and an electronic limited-slip differential (E-Diff) at the rear to help control drive at all four wheels.
While the front e-motors are drive motors for the front axle, the third electric motor built into the “designed and built for Aston Martin” eight-speed dual-clutch is used to start the V8 engine, charge the batteries and torque assistance to negate turbo lag and boost total performance.
It’s also used to support gear synchronisation, with the Valhalla claiming to offer best-in-class shift speeds. When in EV mode, the Valhalla becomes front-wheel drive. There’s no reverse gear either, with the dual-motor front axle providing rearward drive in all drive modes.
All of this requires plenty of cooling power, too. There are three radiators at the front of the vehicle for the 4.0-litre V8; a smaller radiator for the high-voltage system and a condenser for the refrigerant which cools the cabin and the battery.
The roof scoop feeds air charge coolers mounted directly above the engine, which features a new weight-saving mount that saves 5kg. Rounding out the cooling measures are two side radiators fed by the door turning vanes, with the left one cooling engine oil and the right cooling the transmission oil.
A bespoke carbon fibre tub sits at the Valhalla’s core, and weighs just 74.2kg. Overall, the Valhalla achieves a dry mass of 1655kg for a power-to-weight ratio of 652PS (479kW) per tonne.
The carbon structure has been created using proprietary technology developed by Aston Martin Performance Technologies using Formula 1 know-how.
Up front there’s F1-style pushrod suspension with inboard mounted springs and dampers. Aston Martin says the inboard mounting improves airflow within the wheel arch, which when paired with the front wheel-arch cutouts lowers air pressure within the wheel arch and reduces drag.
Further, the layout of the front damping allows for a lower body surface ahead of the A-pillar, while the packaging allows better space for the front electric motors and radiator system. At the rear there’s a five-link suspension system augmented by a “bespoke evolution” of the Bilstein DTX adaptive fitted front and rear.
Stopping power is provided by 410mm carbon ceramic discs on the front axle and 390mm units at the rear, mated with six-piston front and four-piston rear monobloc calipers controlled by brake-by-wire tech. These are the largest front and brake assemblies ever used in an Aston Martin sports car.
Aston Martin says the Brembo-derived carbon ceramic braking system has been especially engineered for use in the Valhalla, and are supported by a range of airflow measures for “uninterrupted cooling”.
These brakes sit behind the choice of two alloy wheel designs available in multiple finishes. The first is a forged aluminium (offered in three finishes) and shod in Aston-specific 285/30R20 front and 335/35R21 rear Michelin Pilot Sport S 5 tyres.
If you’re after a more extreme look, the second wheel option is an ultra-lightweight magnesium set which save 12kg of unsprung mass in total, and are available in textured titanium or satin black. These rims also get more track focused Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres.
Then there’s the cabin, which like the exterior and chassis has been influenced by the company’s Formula 1 ventures.
Raised footwells offer a low hip-to-heel seating position, and the one-piece carbon fibre seats claim to offer maximum support without compromising comfort. The steering wheel features a one-piece carbon fibre armature with a shape also inspired by F1.
There’s a carbon brace that runs the width of the cabin, with floating instrument panel displays running the Aston Martin HMI (Human Machine Interface).
The brand says the driver display offers a Race mode layout with a large linear tachometer and shift lights “informed by Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team drivers”. Other layouts include a full-screen navigation map display for road driving.
The central touchscreen, meanwhile, incorporates new PHEV displays and graphics such as an energy flow visualiser showing real-time data.
Composite materials are used throughout the interior, including recycled, forged carbon fibre. Like all Aston Martin models, the Valhalla can also be endlessly customised via the Q by Aston Martin bespoke program which enlists designers and craftspeople to help you create a truly one-off vehicle.
Aston Martin says it has “entered the industrialisation phase of Valhalla”, with production to commence during quarter two (April-June) of 2025. First deliveries of the 999-unit run will commence in the second half of next year.
Brand representatives have confirmed the Valhalla will come to the Asia-Pacific region, including Australia, though allocation and base pricing are still to be confirmed.
Expect it to cost a pretty penny, given the new V12-powered Vanquish is a whole $740,000 before on-roads and the Valhalla’s nemesis – the Ferrari SF90 – will easily set you back seven figures.
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