Discover what Valhalla sounds like at Monaco GP
Where else but the Principality for the dynamic debut of Aston Martin's first mid-engined supercar?
Ahead of Monaco Grand Prix weekend, Aston Martin has driven the new Valhalla on the street circuit. It feels like an appropriate venue for a 1,000hp, V8 hypercar to be shown to the world for the first time. Well, the first time in motion. They’ve even put Fernando Alonso behind the wheel to show off the Valhalla properly. Look, he gets the brake lights flashing down to the chicane and everything.
Totally objectively, the two-time world champion said of the car: “Taking Aston Martin’s unmatched luxury credentials and adding cutting-edge F1-inspired technology and class-leading performance, I can confirm Valhalla is a true supercar both on road and on track. Outside of the outright power and dynamics, it delivers on all of the raw feelings and emotions you look for when behind the wheel of a car like Valhalla.”
Probably the most interesting takeaway from this minute of vid is the sound; the Valhalla uses a flat-plane crank version of the AMG V8, a bit like the old GT Black Series, and it means less of the traditional cross-plane V8 thunder as the Aston charges around Monaco. Still, if ever there was a car for a motorsport-sounding V8, the Valhalla - complete with 1079hp, an eight-speed DCT, and Aston Martin Performance Technologies input - must be it.
Fittingly, the Valhalla driven by Alonso sported a colour combination inspired by this year’s AMR 25, with a Lime Green livery on a Podium Green livery. (The configurator remains live for those wanting to indulge in some Friday afternoon daydreaming.) Almost certainly this won't be the last Valhalla seen on the streets of Monaco. Perhaps Fernando might be getting one also.
CEO Adrian Hallmark added: “The extreme performance and unprecedented dynamic bandwidth that distinguishes Valhalla from its rivals presented many new opportunities to both the engineering and design teams throughout its development. To witness the culmination of the tireless work from all teams involved, showcased on an iconic F1 circuit like Monaco and driven by an icon like Fernando is a significant moment in Aston Martin’s rich history of both road cars and racing.”
As a reminder, the Valhalla was fully revealed last December, and is the result of a long-running aspiration to build a mid-engined Aston - one capable of taking the likes of McLaren and Ferrari at their own game. It also signifies the firm’s entry into the plug-in hybrid segment (it will feature a modest EV range) though it is expected to be joined imminently by other derivatives of the current lineup that do not cost £850k. First deliveries of the production model, currently limited to 999 units, are due to begin in the second half of this year.
You don’t say “l’m just popping to the shops in Golf”.
You don’t say “l’m just popping to the shops in Golf”.
As for the sounds of this (on this vid) - v meh
proper v8 sound - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSMoP8Gqxuc
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