THE ASTON MARTIN VALKYRIE: AM-RB 001 HYPERCAR

  • Continuation of a naming tradition stretching back seven decades
  • Joins famous lineage of Aston Martin ‘V’ cars
  • Valkyrie name taken from ancient Norse mythology  

6 March 2017, Gaydon: The revolutionary hypercar being co-developed by Aston Martin and Red Bull Advanced Technologies, formerly identified by its codename AM-RB 001, has now been officially named the Aston Martin Valkyrie.

The name continues a fine tradition of Aston Martin ‘V’ cars. This began back in 1951 with Vantage, which was selected as a name to distinguish high performance variants of the then current model, the DB2. Boasting 125bhp versus 105bhp for the standard engine, the Vantage represented a significant increase in performance and desirability. The first time the Vantage badge appeared was on the side of the DB5.

It remained a name reserved for the most potent model derivatives until 2005, when the Vantage became a model line in its own right. Twelve years later the acclaimed family of V8 and V12-powered models has made the Vantage the most successful model in Aston Martin’s history.

Virage, Vanquish and the Aston Martin Vulcan – Aston Martin’s very own God of fire – are more recent ‘V’ cars to continue this lineage. Now, seven decades after the Vantage name started it all, the Aston Martin Valkyrie propels this uniquely distinctive and lyrical family of model names to another level.

For Aston Martin’s Chief Creative Officer, Marek Reichman, Valkyrie perfectly captures the drama of what is not only the ultimate Aston Martin, but the ultimate expression of hypercar design, engineering and performance: “Aston Martin model names have deep meaning. They need to inspire and excite. To tell a story and enrich a narrative that stretches back some 104-years. The Aston Martin Valkyrie is an incredibly special car that demands an equally remarkable name; an uncompromising car that leaves nothing in reserve. The connotations of power and honour, of being chosen by the Gods are so evocative, and so pertinent to a car that only a fortunate few will ever experience.”

While its name is rooted in ancient mythology, the Aston Martin Valkyrie is a pure expression of modern technology. By bringing together Aston Martin, Red Bull Advanced Technologies, project partner AF Racing and some of the world’s leading technology partners, the Aston Martin Valkyrie promises otherworldly performance befitting of its name.

MICHELIN ANNOUNCED AS TYRE PARTNER FOR ASTON MARTIN VALKYRIE
  • Michelin joins Aston Martin’s world-class roster of technical partners for hypercar
  • Ultimate road-going hypercar demands the ultimate high-performance road tyres    
  • Aston Martin Valkyrie to be supplied with Michelin’s renowned Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres  

07 March 2017, Gaydon: Tyre manufacturer Michelin has been confirmed as the latest technical partner to join the Aston Martin Valkyrie hypercar programme. Founded in 1889, Michelin – one of the largest tyre companies in the world – has been at the forefront of tyre development for almost 130 years.

A world renowned brand with an enviable reputation, Michelin has vast experience in both the road car and competition car arenas. Winning success in Formula One, the World Endurance Championship, World Rally Championship and MotoGP has seen Michelin engineers push the limits of tyre design: experience that has driven the development of Michelin’s high-performance road tyres and helped forge a tremendous reputation amongst the world’s supercar owners.

With its high-power, high-downforce, low-weight philosophy the Aston Martin Valkyrie promises to redefine the limits of road car performance. With many owners certain to explore these limits on a race track, the Aston Martin Valkyrie will put unprecedented demands on its tyres. Though still in the early stages of development, Aston Martin and Red Bull Advanced Technologies can confirm the hypercar will run on Michelin’s Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres: 265/35 ZR20 at the front; 325/30 ZR21 at the rear. They will be mounted to lightweight magnesium alloy wheels (20 x 9.5J front, 21 x 11.5J rear) featuring race-specification centre-lock nuts to further reduce unsprung mass.

Michelin join a world-class collective including engine builders Cosworth, transmission experts Ricardo, carbon fibre structure specialists Mutimatic, leaders in hybrid battery technology Rimac, brake system suppliers Alcon and Surface Transforms, electronics giant Bosch and lighting experts Wipac.

ASTON MARTIN ANNOUNCES AM-RB 001 TECHNICAL PARTNERS
  • Prestigious roll call of world-leading technical partners working alongside Aston Martin and Red Bull Advanced Technologies
  • Bespoke 6.5-litre naturally aspirated V12 engine designed and built by Cosworth
  • Cutting-edge 7-speed transmission developed by Ricardo Engineering
  • Carbon fibre MonoCell supplied by long-time composites partner, Multimatic

15 February 2017, Gaydon: With design and engineering work on the AM-RB 001 hypercar progressing apace, Aston Martin, Red Bull Advanced Technologies and project partner AF Racing today confirm some of the key technical partners for AM-RB 001.

Working to the exacting brief of both brands, the technical partners have been selected for their unrivalled expertise and willingness to push the performance boundaries. Together with Adrian Newey, Red Bull Racing’s Chief Technical Officer and Aston Martin’s VP and Chief Special Operations Officer, David King and his team, they will embrace the challenges inherent with delivering a car poised to redefine the limits of road car performance.

The heart of every Aston Martin is its engine. Never more so than in the AM-RB 001, which is why it has been entrusted to legendary engine builder, Cosworth. An illustrious name with an impeccable motorsport pedigree, the UK-based company will bring all its Formula One and high performance production engine experience to bear in the design and manufacture of the AM-RB 001’s bespoke, high-revving 6.5-litre naturally aspirated V12 engine.

Mated to AM-RB 001’s all-new engine is a bespoke 7-speed paddle-shift transmission. Designed and manufactured by Ricardo, to Red Bull Advanced Technologies’ specification, the gearbox will be the perfect partner to Cosworth’s V12. Conforming to the radical hypercar’s ethos of minimal mass and maximum efficiency and led by Red Bull Advanced Technologies’ simulation work, Ricardo will deploy intelligent engineering solutions to achieve Newey’s uncompromising goals.

Not content with commissioning the ultimate road-legal internal combustion engine, the AM-RB 001 also boasts a lightweight hybrid battery system supplied by Rimac. Acknowledged as world-leaders in high-performance battery technology, the Croatian-based company has showcased its capabilities with the innovative Concept-One: the world’s first – and fastest – all-electric hypercar.

With lightweight construction paramount the AM-RB 001’s MonoCell is constructed from carbon fibre by world-leading composite experts, Multimatic. A long-standing technology partner on projects such as One-77 and Aston Martin Vulcan, Multimatic will combine its unrivalled manufacturing experience with Red Bull Advanced Technologies’ knowledge gained from the design and build of ultra-competitive, championship-winning Formula One cars.

With a power-to-weight ratio of 1:1 – that’s to say one bhp for every kilogram of kerbweight – the AM-RB 001 requires a braking system that’s more than the equal of its powertrain. Step forward Alcon and Surface Transforms, who together are responsible for supplying the lightweight, high performance brake calipers and carbon discs required to deliver the stopping power.

To guarantee maximum efficiency, performance and dynamic control, electronics expert Bosch has been entrusted with developing bespoke Engine Control Unit (ECU), Traction Control Unit (TCU) and Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) systems for the AM-RB 001, while UK light manufacturer, Wipac, is responsible for the hypercar’s full LED headlamps and tail lamps.

Adrian Newey, Red Bull Racing’s Chief Technical Officer, says of the technical partners supporting the AM-RB 001 project: “Much like Formula One, designing, engineering and building a car like the AM-RB 001 is a massive team effort. To achieve great things you need to surround yourself with the best people. Experience, creativity, energy, diligence and perfectionism are absolute must-have qualities in every area of the project. Having great technical partners such as those working with us is both reassuring and motivating. Together we aim to produce an innovative piece of engineering art.

David King, VP and Chief Special Operations Officer, commented: “Making the    AM-RB 001 presents huge challenges. It’s a real test of everyone involved, but that’s as it should be, for we’re genuinely raising the bar with this car. That’s what makes the project so special, and why having the right technical partners is so critical. Some of those names we’re working with are long-standing suppliers of Aston Martin, but there are some new names in there, too. Whether forging fresh partnerships or building on existing relationships, the AM-RB 001 project is a shared engineering adventure we’re all relishing.”

A maximum of 150 road going AM-RB 001s will be built, including all remaining prototypes, with 25 additional track-only versions. First deliveries are due to commence in 2019.

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