Aston Martin Valhalla
Attacking the 1079PS monster on the circuit
The Valhalla is a hyper PHV car that combines two front motors and one rear motor with a 4.0-liter V8 twin turbo. We had the opportunity to test drive this rare hypercar on the circuit.
Aston Martin is serious. To be precise, it is Lawrence Stroll’s passion that is driving this long-established British brand. To reach the top of the F1 world and at the same time become the world’s best road car manufacturer. That is Lawrence’s ambition. In other words, it is an ambitious challenge to “catch up with and surpass Maranello.”
The Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team’s factory at Silverstone is the largest in the world, equipped with cutting-edge equipment from CFRP molding to wind tunnels and simulators. Hundreds of staff work day and night just to keep two racing cars running.
The design team is particularly impressive. Part designs are updated daily in the huge design room, which employs around 200 people. However, the speed of these changes is so rapid that it’s simply not possible to outsource the manufacturing of parts. This is why the company has a variety of CFRP molding autoclaves, some of which are among the largest in Europe, and all parts are manufactured directly connected to the design room.
Incredible stability on the track
The Valhalla demonstrated incredible stability and comfort on the track, making it a model that epitomizes Aston Martin’s recent momentum.
In the center of the designer room is a large glass room, the only place where a full-scale line drawing of the car hangs. This is Adrian Newey’s room. On the day I visited, he was engaged in enthusiastic discussion with the young designers. Next season will see major changes to the regulations, and with the team finally equipped with a Honda works PU, they will be in a position to win. Will this truly be the start of a new era for Aston under Lawrence?
Regardless, winning in F1 naturally increases the brand’s value, and the road car business also improves. The lineup of production models has steadily expanded to match this. From two-seater sports cars to V8 twin-turbo 2+2 GT cars, 12-cylinder luxury sports cars, limited-edition hypercars, and super SUVs, the showroom lineup is truly Maranello-esque.
The final piece of this lineup is the Valhalla, the star of this article. When you hear that it’s a mid-engine supercar equipped with a plug-in hybrid powertrain that has a total system output of over 1000 PS, readers will immediately think of the Ferrari SF90 XX Stradale. This is especially true when you hear that it combines two electric motors in the front and one in the rear with a V8 twin-turbo engine. This system configuration is also used by the Lamborghini Temerario, and is now becoming mainstream among supercars.
Equipped with a special engine developed for the AMG GT Black Series
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[1] The car is equipped with a dry-sump M178 LS2 4.0-liter V8 twin-turbo engine developed for the AMG GT Black Series. Brembo carbon ceramic brakes provide powerful braking power.
Of course, it is the latest model, and the number of facts that show it is directly connected to F1 technology surpasses existing rivals. The aforementioned F1 factory has been closely involved in the development of Valhalla’s aerodynamics and composite materials, and the adoption of a CFRP monocoque body is likely one of the points that gives it an edge over its rivals.
The two electric motors at the front are naturally used for torque vectoring, torque fill, reverse, EV driving, and regenerative braking. A newly developed 8-speed DCT with a highly responsive hydraulic electronically controlled differential is paired with another electric motor, which is docked with the 4.0-liter V8 twin-turbo engine and placed behind the driver.
What’s noteworthy here is the engine, which produces a maximum output of 828 PS. Everyone knows that the V8s installed in Aston Martin’s latest models are made by Mercedes-AMG. However, those in the know will have thought, “There must be something different” when they hear that it produces over 800 PS. In fact, this engine is not the M177 series that is installed in other Aston Martins, but a “different engine” called the M178 LS2. The M178 LS2 is a dry-sump V8 twin-turbo with a flat-plane crank, a Mercedes-AMG jewel, originally developed for the GT Black Series. Aston Martin has refined this engine exclusively for the Valhalla.
Only 999 units are available worldwide. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2025, and so at the end of July I arrived at Aston Martin’s exclusive test track, Stowe, within the Silverstone Circuit, to test drive the Valhalla production prototype. Not wanting to miss this opportunity, which was only available to 15 people worldwide, I hurriedly flew to the UK.
A large, highly visible display supports circuit driving
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[2] The large display mounted on the column provides excellent visibility and displays a linear tachometer and shift light in race mode. Lightweight carbon fiber full bucket seats are used. [3] The roof scoop has a wing-like opening and closing panel that accommodates a battery charging port, fuel filler, and coolant filler.
The day after the factory tour, the long-awaited test drive at Stowe awaited. First, I learned about the course layout in a Vantage. It was a flat but interesting course, with ample width and escape zones. It was the perfect way to get a taste of a 1000+ PS supercar.
I climbed into the Valhalla, which has British license plates. My excitement immediately rose as I settled into the stripped-down carbon fiber cockpit. I was unusually nervous as I set off, but I was greatly relieved after the first turn. It felt easy to ride. The front end felt directly connected to my arms and moved smoothly, the powertrain was easy to handle, and above all, the refined ride was completely different from the Valkyrie, making it feel familiar. I immediately felt a sense of oneness with the machine.
I thought I would wait and see for the first lap, but the moment I entered the back straight, something clicked. I pushed my right foot as far as I could and pushed it all the way in.
Even in Sport+ mode, it has automatic gear shifting. This was great. It was like a teacher, accurately telling me the key points of shifting and the appropriate gear. And of course, it was incredibly fast. It was fast, but there was almost no fear. I could calmly enjoy the speed.
I was also surprised by the braking performance. When I stepped on the gas, the rear wing suddenly rose up. I watched it as I headed for the corner. There was no sense of discomfort due to the regeneration. The car slowed down directly and smoothly. The braking control was also excellent.
Thanks to the vectoring effect of the front motor, I’m using a gear higher than I would like. I barely feel the presence of the electric motor, and the steering feel is extremely direct. There’s no sense of being pulled by the front. I can truly enjoy the driving feel of a high-powered mid-engine sports car. And at an astonishing speed…
The most beautiful and fast hypercar on the road
Thanks to the vectoring-enabled front motor, the Valhalla can be controlled freely on the circuit, but as I got too cocky and continued to complete laps, the G-forces seemed to cause more damage to my body than I expected (lol).
The further I drove, the faster it got. I also tried shifting manually with the paddles. I felt even more at one with the car. My time was about the same, maybe even slower. But having my hands and feet connected to the powertrain gave me a much stronger sense of control.
As I was enjoying myself, my abdominal muscles started to hurt. My stomach felt strange. My body started to scream as I was cornering faster than I expected. I cursed myself for not getting enough exercise. Seeing the sign that there were two laps left, I slowed down. I could have done one more lap, but to my disappointment, I had no choice but to give up.
1/999. I would like to offer my heartfelt congratulations to those who have already placed their orders. There is no other supercar today that is as elegant and easy to drive, yet so refined and fast. At the same time, I believe it is the most beautiful and fastest mid-engine car you can buy new.
REPORT/Jun NISHIKAWA
PHOTO/Aston Martin Lagonda
MAGAZINE/ GENROQ October 2025 issue
SPECIFICATIONS
Aston Martin Valhalla
Body size: Total length 4727, total width 2014, total height 1161 mm
Wheelbase: 2760 mm
Engine: V8 DOHC twin turbo
Total displacement: 4.0 liters
System maximum output: 793 kW (1079 PS) / 6700 rpm
System maximum torque: 1100 Nm (112.2 kgm)
Transmission: 8-speed DCT
Drive system: AWD
Suspension type: Front double wishbone, rear multi-link
Brakes: Front and rear ventilated disc
Tire size: Front 285/30ZR20, rear 335/30ZR21
Top speed: 350 km/h
0-100 km/h acceleration: 2.5 seconds
Vehicle price: 128.9 million yen
[Inquiries]
Aston Martin Japan Limited
TEL 03-5797-7281
https://www.astonmartin.com/ja
