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Aston Martin Valkyrie 2019: V12 engine specs, plus price and release
The multi-million pound hypercar is capable of lapping racing circuits at F1 speeds
The Aston Martin Valkyrie is a hypercar like no other and now, thanks to a sneak peak of its V12 engine, we can reveal some of its most exciting features ahead of the vehicle’s eagerly anticipated release early next year.
Cosworth, the engineering giant in charge of developing the unit, has confirmed that the Valkyrie’s naturally-aspirated V12 motor will produce 1,000hp (986bhp) and reach peak engine revs of 10,500rpm, Autocar reports.
The engine maker’s managing director, Bruce Wood, told the magazine that the motor would be an integral part of the Valkyrie’s structural integrity. It will also have a design that’s similar to a racing car. Without the engine in place, the car could theoretically fold at the centre.
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While the engine appears to have been made with racing in mind, Cosworth has been tasked with ensuring the motor will be reliable. It will have to meet the strict new emission regulations of the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) introduced in September.
Cosworth is aiming for a lifespan of 100,000km (62,000 miles) for its engine as long as customers take their Valkyrie to an Aston Martin specialist for routine maintenance. But, as PistonHeads says, it’s unlikely owners will ever reach that limit.
A hybrid system will also feature on the car, though Aston Martin and Cosworth are keeping their lips sealed over how they plan to electrify the motor.
More details are expected to emerge closer to the car’s release window of early 2019. Until then, here’s a rundown on what’s in store for hypercar fans.
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Design and cabin tech
(Image credit: Aston Martin)
Created by Adrian Newey, the famed Red Bull Racing designer with multiple championship-winning Formula 1 cars to his name, the Valkyrie is an ultra-lightweight hypercar that’s capable of lapping circuits as fast as an F1 machine.
The car has aggressive looks and seems to have barely enough bodywork to cover its mechanical underpinnings. A pair of large air ducts run underneath it to help improve downforce at high speeds, as does a small electronically-controlled carbon fibre wing that hangs from the front bumper.
The car’s interior, which is devoid of luxury trim features, has been dubbed “ruthlessly efficient” by Top Gear. It has been designed with the aim of saving weight as a lighter car helps maintain stability at speed while providing more grip on twisty corners.
Buyers do get some luxury in the form of two digital screens located along the dashboard and angled towards the driver, but that’s about it.
Prices and release date
Only 150 examples of the road-going Valkyrie and 24 track-only Valkyrie AMR Pro [pictured above] are going into production. Aston Martin has hinted, however, that the production run could be extended if the car proves popular.
Prices for the standard car are “somewhere between £2m and £3m”, says Evo, while an estimate for the AMR Pro has not yet been revealed. Given that these models are aimed at the ultra-wealthy, buyers are likely to pay considerably more than the asking price when customisation options are taken into account.
