Aston Martin Valkyrie to pack an 865kW punch

402km/h flagship coupe uses F1 style hybrid driveline technology 

Aston Martin has revealed the output of the hi-tech hybrid drivetrain earmarked to power its striking new Valkyrie supercar.

Consisting of a Cosworth-developed 6.5-litre V12 gasoline engine and an electric motor developed by Rimac and Integral Powertain, it produces a combined 865kW at 10,500rpm and 752Nm torque at 6000rpm.

The overall figure includes 746Nm and 545Nm from the combustion engine and an additional 119Nm and 207Nm from the electric motor.

As a point of reference, the Valkyrie’s key supercar rival, the Mercedes-AMG One is claimed to boast up to 918kW from its hybrid drivetrain, which uses a turbocharged 1.6-litre V6 petrol engine based on that used by the company’s F1 race car together with MGU-K (motor generation unit – kinetic) and MGU-H (motor generation unit-heat) functions as part of a complex Energy Recovery System (ERS).

British-based Cosworth has designed the combustion engine for the Valkyrie and has been commissioned by Aston Martin to assemble 150 engines for the low slung two-seat coupe, which has been designed in partnership between the British car maker and Red Bull Racing. A further 25 examples of the new hybridized V12 unit are expected to be produced for the track only Valkyrie AMR Pro race car.

Cosworth says the new engine will be capable of reaching peak revs of 11,100rpm. To achieve this it receives uniquely machined lightweight internal components, including F1-specification pistons.

It also uses port fuel injection rather than the direct injection of most modern gasoline engines. This allows it to meet emission standards without the need to fit the Valkyrie with gasoline particular filters, according to Cosworth. All up, the new V12 is claimed to weight just 204kg and has been designed for a 100,000km lifecycle.

The V12 engine is bolted directly to the Valkyrie’s carbon fibre monocoque, supporting the rear suspension. It is claimed to provide the new range-topping Aston Martin model with a top speed of “at least 402km/h”.

The electric motor and accompanying battery pack for the Valkyrie have been developed in collaboration between Croatian company Rimac and British based specialist Integral Powertrain.

The mild-hybrid drivetrain will be mated to a bespoke seven-speed gearbox with paddle shift actuation developed by British engineering specialist Ricardo, the company behind the engines that power the current-generation of McLaren models.

The electric motor is mounted between the engine and the gearbox, with a Formula 1 style energy recuperation system designed to collect kinetic energy under braking to recharge the battery, which is claimed to use the latest in lithium-ion cell technology.

The battery pack provides both Power Boost and Energy Recovery system functions, according to Aston Martin, while the electric motor is programmed to aid the mechanical performance of the gearbox.

Further engineering partners for the Valkyrie, known internally under the codename AM-RB 001, include Multimatic, which is responsible for the new Aston Martin model’s carbon fibre monocoque. Bosch has been commissioned to deliver the engine management system, traction control unit and electronic stability control systems, Alcon and Surface Transforms will supply the carbon fibre brake discs and callipers and Wipac has been named as the supplier for the head and tail lamps assemblies.

The Valkyrie name is taken from Norse mythology. It translates to ‘chooser of the slain’. Aston Martin says it chose the name to signify the car’s role as its most potent product yet.

The Aston Martin Valkyrie is priced at US$3.2 million (RMB21.5 million).