Aston Martin Reveals Valhalla Hybrid Supercar
In Norse mythology, the term Vahalla refers to the home of slain
warriors where, upon their death, they enter a beautiful shielded palace where
they enjoy the fruits of their labor and prepare for the arrival of doomsday.
For Aston Martin—one of the longest established luxury car brands in the
world—Valhalla not only houses the opulent, but brings the company to new
heights of luxury in the consumer market.
Valhalla
is Aston Martin's latest luxury supercar, a mid-engined hybrid that uses both
traditional and electric power, while also featuring the high-class amenities
and aerodynamic style one expects from the brand. Aston Martin announced the
car’s production Thursday, promising “best-in-class standards,” for performance
and driving pleasure, while also detailing how the Valhalla delivers on the
company’s promise to broaden its model portfolio.
“Aston Martin’s first series production mid-engined supercar,
Valhalla, is a truly transformational moment for this ultra-luxury brand,”
executive chairman Lawrence Stoll is quoted in a press release. “The launch of
Valhalla demonstrates Aston Martin’s commitment to building a range of
exceptional mid-engined driver focused cars, a crucial next stage in the
expansion of our product line-up.”
One of the bigger headlines behind the model was its hybrid
features. The car features a V8 engine, eight-cylinder beauty that allows for
quicker acceleration as well as battery-powered torque. Valhalla claims it as
the “most advanced, responsive and highest-performing V8 engine ever fitted to
an Aston Martin,” and it allows for 7,200 RPM, standard for high-speed performance
vehicles. The car accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in just less than 2.5 seconds,
and can achieve a top speed of 217 miles per hour.
The
car can be driven in electric-only mode and allows for a top speed of 80 mph,
but uses its electric voltage mode for lower speed driving and control,
including an “e-reverse” mode, which promises top handling ability and traction
while driving backwards. In hybrid and other modes, the car uses its V8 engine
for higher speeds and racer-style driving, while lower speeds use its voltage
for better handling and tight turns.
Valhalla also features a new carbon-fiber structure with “maximum
stiffness and minimum weight penalty,” according to Aston Martin, allowing for
pure speed behind the wheel. It also features suspension inspired by Formula1
racing, with a stress on accuracy and handling that allows the car to handle
steep hills and other rough terrain with ease and speed. This structure is
complemented by carbon ceramic matrix Bbrakes and bespoke Michelin tires.
Drivers
can enjoy a spacious cockpit and touchscreen display with the ability to
connect to Apple Carplay and Android Auto. The cars also come equipped with
standard safety features: adaptive LED headlights, auto emergency braking,
forward collision warning, active cruise control and blind spot monitoring.
Valhalla premiered this week with an emphasis on Aston Martin's
ties to Red Bull Racing and Formula1. With a number of amenities taken straight
from the circuit, including cockpit design and an emphasis on the driver’s
ability of complete control, the Valhalla will be testing a number of race
records, including a target lap time of 6:30 at Germany’s famed 6:30
Nürburgring Nordschleife; the current lap record for the track sits at 6:43.
After
the circuit, the car will hit the market in 2023 on both sides of the Atlantic.
With a design for racing and a heart for the environment, Valhalla may
represent a change for the better on the luxury car market—hopefully, enough to
beat doomsday.
* This article was originally published here
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