RE: Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR Pro: Geneva 2018
Tuesday 6th March 2018
Such is the pace of the hypercar world these days that the Aston Martin Valkyrie almost seems like rather old news now. Since it was christened at last year's Geneva show, car's like the McLaren Senna and Mercedes-AMG Project One have stolen the limelight in the previously non-existent segment. This is something Gaydon isn't willing to take lying down. Or rather, it is, but only from the reclined, F1-style driving position of its own world-beating machine.
This, then, is the Valkyrie AMR Pro, a track-only, very much road illegal take on Aston Martin's 'race car for the road'. Full technical details, says Aston, will be revealed in due course, but here's what we know for now.
Meanwhile, a re-calibration of the Cosworth-built 6.5-litre V12's emission control systems and a re-programming of the software governing the Energy Recovery System has resulted in a new combined power output of more than 1,115hp. The keen mathematicians among you will note that this means the AMR Pro far exceeds the current automotive holy grail of a 1:1 power-to-weight ratio. The combination of the above with LMP1 spec Michelin racing tyres and F1 inspired carbon brakes means that, even in its high-downforce track configuration, the Valkyrie is still able to hit 225mph on the straights, before taking corners at over 3g.
Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR Pro: Geneva 2018
Over 1,100hp, under 1,000kg, this is Aston Martin as you've never seen it before
But how to improve on something supposed to already be at the pinnacle of road-legal performance? Well, in this curious age of four-door coupe versions of two-door coupes based on four-door saloon cars, up is down and down is up, and the best way to better your track car for the road, is to make your road car for the track.
Wider bodywork and significantly larger front and rear wings allow the Valkyrie AMR Pro to generate more than its own weight in downforce. Those elements are now made from a lighter carbon fibre than the standard car utilises which, in tandem with the removal of items such as the heater and infotainment screens and the fitment of a new ultra-lightweight polycarbonate windscreen, carbon fibre wishbones, moulded race seats and a lighter exhaust system, allows the Valkyrie AMR Pro to tip the scales at just 1,000kg - 30kg less than the road car.
Just 25 Valkyrie AMR Pros will be built, sitting at the top of the rapidly expanding AMR Pro series which already includes the Vulcan and Vantage. Each car will cost well in excess of the £3 million charged for the road car, with deliveries not expected to commence until 2020. We suspect to be seeing a lot more of this car before then, though.
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Discussion
Much as I admire Mr Neweys work and reputation, I really wish he hadn't put his name to this. I'm sure it will be unbelievable to drive but my Christ it looks awful.
Still at least with this and Mclaren Senna GTR, the mega rich track day fans will be able to have something else to argue about apart from the size of their watches. What I can't understand for the life of me, is why would you buy something like this just to do track days when for the same money you could probably get something like a 956, 962 or a Spice C2 and trash that round the track? Performance, history and good looks plus you'd get invites to FoS and all the other historic festivals.
Baffles me.
Still at least with this and Mclaren Senna GTR, the mega rich track day fans will be able to have something else to argue about apart from the size of their watches. What I can't understand for the life of me, is why would you buy something like this just to do track days when for the same money you could probably get something like a 956, 962 or a Spice C2 and trash that round the track? Performance, history and good looks plus you'd get invites to FoS and all the other historic festivals.
Baffles me.
Edited by The Hypno-Toad on Tuesday 6th March 12:40
The Hypno-Toad said:
Much as I admire Mr Neweys work and reputation, I really wish he hadn't put his name to this. I'm sure it will be unbelievable to drive but my Christ it looks awful.
Still at least with this and Mclaren Senna GTR, the mega rich track day fans will be able to have something else to argue about apart from the size of their watches. What I can't understand for the life of me, is why would you buy something like this just to do track days when for the same money you could probably get something like a 956, 962 or a Spice C2 and trash that round the track? Performance, history and good looks plus you'd get invites to FoS and all the other historic festivals.
Baffles me.
Because this is a car for the Rich boys to sit and brag about in the pub! Not only won't they be driven, but when they are, they will be (generally) driven by people who, by far, are the "weak link" in the package. ie who are not good enough drivers to actually get the car, repeatably to it's limits. Even the VERY best drivers (ie F1, World sports cars etc) can struggle with high downforce cars, because when it goes, it GOES! A little too much kerb, a bump, or even a variable cross wind and blammo, you're into the barriers at 150mph!Still at least with this and Mclaren Senna GTR, the mega rich track day fans will be able to have something else to argue about apart from the size of their watches. What I can't understand for the life of me, is why would you buy something like this just to do track days when for the same money you could probably get something like a 956, 962 or a Spice C2 and trash that round the track? Performance, history and good looks plus you'd get invites to FoS and all the other historic festivals.
Baffles me.
Edited by The Hypno-Toad on Tuesday 6th March 12:40
One of the major learnings for MAL on the P1 program was to actually blunt the ultimate performance a bit to make it more accessible to the average driver! In effect, they took a (significant) lap time hit in order to make the car "nicer" to drive.
The Hypno-Toad said:
Much as I admire Mr Neweys work and reputation, I really wish he hadn't put his name to this. I'm sure it will be unbelievable to drive but my Christ it looks awful.
Still at least with this and Mclaren Senna GTR, the mega rich track day fans will be able to have something else to argue about apart from the size of their watches. What I can't understand for the life of me, is why would you buy something like this just to do track days when for the same money you could probably get something like a 956, 962 or a Spice C2 and trash that round the track? Performance, history and good looks plus you'd get invites to FoS and all the other historic festivals.
Baffles me.
http://joemacari.com/All-Cars-for-Sale/_prod_Porsche-962_1383.htmStill at least with this and Mclaren Senna GTR, the mega rich track day fans will be able to have something else to argue about apart from the size of their watches. What I can't understand for the life of me, is why would you buy something like this just to do track days when for the same money you could probably get something like a 956, 962 or a Spice C2 and trash that round the track? Performance, history and good looks plus you'd get invites to FoS and all the other historic festivals.
Baffles me.
Edited by The Hypno-Toad on Tuesday 6th March 12:40
it's like £1.2m for a 962 isn't it? and then theres the whole spares and maintenance thing
I think brand loyalty plays a part, you could be part of the Ferrari FXX program and have it all done for you but not everyone wants to
also the 962 etc (amazing as it was) isn't the same as the Valk, this is absolutely cutting edge
FN2TypeR said:
Zod said:
Function over form. It's all about the engineering and I love it.
Agreed; that is sensational IMO.For me this shows the REAL cutting edge.
Max_Torque said:
The Hypno-Toad said:
Much as I admire Mr Neweys work and reputation, I really wish he hadn't put his name to this. I'm sure it will be unbelievable to drive but my Christ it looks awful.
Still at least with this and Mclaren Senna GTR, the mega rich track day fans will be able to have something else to argue about apart from the size of their watches. What I can't understand for the life of me, is why would you buy something like this just to do track days when for the same money you could probably get something like a 956, 962 or a Spice C2 and trash that round the track? Performance, history and good looks plus you'd get invites to FoS and all the other historic festivals.
Baffles me.
Because this is a car for the Rich boys to sit and brag about in the pub! Not only won't they be driven, but when they are, they will be (generally) driven by people who, by far, are the "weak link" in the package. ie who are not good enough drivers to actually get the car, repeatably to it's limits. Even the VERY best drivers (ie F1, World sports cars etc) can struggle with high downforce cars, because when it goes, it GOES! A little too much kerb, a bump, or even a variable cross wind and blammo, you're into the barriers at 150mph!Still at least with this and Mclaren Senna GTR, the mega rich track day fans will be able to have something else to argue about apart from the size of their watches. What I can't understand for the life of me, is why would you buy something like this just to do track days when for the same money you could probably get something like a 956, 962 or a Spice C2 and trash that round the track? Performance, history and good looks plus you'd get invites to FoS and all the other historic festivals.
Baffles me.
Edited by The Hypno-Toad on Tuesday 6th March 12:40
One of the major learnings for MAL on the P1 program was to actually blunt the ultimate performance a bit to make it more accessible to the average driver! In effect, they took a (significant) lap time hit in order to make the car "nicer" to drive.
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