Formula 1® Meets the Open Road: The Aston Martin Valhalla

The Aston Martin Valhalla, an exquisite mid-engine supercar, marks the luxury brand’s inaugural foray into series production. Its genesis owes much to the high-speed crucible of Formula 1®, the world’s fastest laboratory. Formula 1® fuels technological advancement, emphasizing speed, reliability, and performance. Aston Martin’s very own Formula One® team, the Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One® team (AMF1), endows the automaker with race-tested methodologies, expertise, and technologies, thus amplifying the development of forthcoming models. Valhalla, a limited edition of 999 units, is poised for production in 2024.

The symbiotic relationship between Aston Martin and its eponymous Formula 1® team, presently occupying fourth place in the FIA Formula One World Constructors’ ChampionshipTM, is made possible through the team’s consulting branch, Aston Martin Performance Technologies (AMPT). AMPT plays a pivotal role by directly assisting Aston Martin’s performance engineering division across three pivotal domains: dynamics, aerodynamics, and materials.

Claudio Santoni, Engineering Director of Aston Martin Performance Technologies, acknowledges the immense advantage bestowed upon a car manufacturer by tapping into the unique expertise of a Formula 1® team. F1® engineers perpetually push boundaries, developing rapid problem-solving tools. With this wealth of knowledge “in-house,” Aston Martin seamlessly integrates F1® expertise into its road car development.

Aston Martin Valhalla is an unapologetically driver-centric mid-engine supercar. The vehicle dynamics team, in close collaboration with AMPT, is working tirelessly to deliver precise dynamics that promise an unparalleled driving experience. Much like F1® design, Valhalla leans heavily on simulation tools, ensuring that every moment spent in the simulator translates to tangible progress. Remarkably, 90% of the dynamic attributes and vehicle setup are fine-tuned in the simulator, with the final development phase taking place in the real world, both on the road and the track.

The input from AMF1 drivers brings a new dimension to Valhalla’s calibration. The elite skills and knowledge of drivers like Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso elevate vehicle dynamics to new heights as they relentlessly push the car to its performance limits.

Valhalla’s cockpit ergonomics take direct inspiration from Formula 1®, optimizing the driving position with AMPT’s support to provide race car-level control while preserving driving pleasure. The raised heels, housed within a false floor containing electronic modules, and the unique carbon fiber bucket seat offer a reclining angle akin to the AMR23 race car, delivering road car comfort while fostering a deep driver-car connection.

The combined expertise of AMPT and Aston Martin’s aerodynamicists, spanning both road cars and Formula 1®, empowers the brand to craft addictive road cars that strike the perfect balance between luxury and performance. A glance under the AMR23 and Valhalla reveals the extensive infusion of F1® technology into the new supercar.

Valhalla’s aerodynamic journey commences akin to an F1® car, employing all body elements to generate downforce and minimize drag. Valhalla enjoys the freedom to leverage fully active aerodynamic systems at both the front and rear, yielding over 600kg of downforce at 240km/h. This adaptability allows Valhalla to fine-tune front and rear downforce for optimal grip, balance, and consistency, or to reduce drag as per the selected driving mode.

Much like the AMR23, Valhalla features multi-element wings at the front and rear, with the front wing cleverly concealed. It can lie flat in a DRS position to minimize drag or angle up to generate substantial downforce ahead of the front wheels. Underneath the front splitter, a concave under-floor surface creates a low-pressure area, further enhancing downforce. These features are controlled through the vehicle’s active control algorithms.

Inspired by F1® vortex generators and aerodynamic principles, small slotted louvers ahead of the rear wheel act as mini-diffusers, redirecting airflow upwards to augment downforce. A roof-mounted snorkel serves both engine intake and cooling ducts, akin to F1®, maintaining a low roofline and enhancing the driver’s connection to the car.

The vast knowledge derived from Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and wind tunnel testing in F1®, combined with AMPT’s expertise, greatly benefits road car engineers. Similar aerodynamic techniques that shaped the AMR23 race car have been applied to Valhalla’s development.

The Valhalla engineering team, collaborating closely with AMPT, utilizes the same CFD software as the AMF1 team, including lessons in model setup. Valhalla, much like Formula 1®, employs a scale model and a moving road wind tunnel for development, scrutinizing variables such as ride height sensitivity, yaw, roll, pitch, and steering.

AMPT and the AMF1 team’s extensive experience in crafting carbon fiber cars have been invaluable. Although the idea of crafting 999 carbon fiber monocoques may be novel to a team accustomed to producing only a handful of cars per season, their expertise shines through. The AMPT carbon technologies team transfers ideas from F1® to Valhalla, particularly in areas like stiffness simulation and crash-worthiness testing, identifying vulnerabilities before the destructive crash testing phase.

Valhalla’s core structure prioritizes stiffness with minimal weight, ensuring precise control with millimeter precision. Engineered by AMPT, it integrates their specialized F1® knowledge and technical prowess, embodying cutting-edge composite technology.

Valhalla’s carbon structure, a complex blend of carbon fiber materials, utilizes a proprietary technology developed specifically for Aston Martin. Both upper and lower sections are molded from carbon fiber using a combination of Resin-Transfer-Molding (RTM) and F1®-inspired autoclave technology. The result is an exceptionally rigid, strong, and lightweight passenger cell, delivering top-tier dynamic structural attributes and safety while preserving driver and passenger comfort.

Valhalla stands at the forefront of Aston Martin’s transition from internal combustion to hybrid and full electrification. Extensive knowledge gleaned from the engine management group optimizes Valhalla’s bespoke twin-turbo flat-plane V8 engine. Paired with three e-motors, this setup creates a 1,012 PS hybrid all-wheel-drive powertrain, the most advanced and responsive V8 engine ever fitted in an Aston Martin.

Twin electric motors on the front axle enable not only four-wheel drive but also independent torque control at each front wheel, known as torque vectoring. This enhances steering response, cornering grip, and traction throughout cornering phases. The front e-motors also handle reverse function, saving weight on the rear transmission. A third e-motor integrated into the transmission provides additional power to the rear wheels and serves as a starter/generator for the ICE engine.

The first running prototype will grace the road later this year, heralding Valhalla’s impending production in 2024.