The Valkyrie’s performance figures will be further boosted by a battery hybrid system, details of which will be revealed later in the development programme.
Cosworth’s F1 expertise is also evidenced in the Aston Martin Valkyrie engine’s weight, which also set new standards.
Keeping the engine weight down was a huge challenge. Especially as the programme actively avoided use of extreme materiel alloys which are so new that material properties over time are unproven.
Aside from the major castings - block, cylinder heads, sump and structural cam covers - the majority of the engine’s internal components are machined from solid material. These include Titanium conrods and F1-spec pistons.
The result is an engine that weighs just 206kg. By way of comparison, Cosworth’s 3.0-litre V10 F1 engines (the last before weight limits were imposed by the FIA) weighed 97kg. If scaled-up to 6.5 litres this pure race engine would weigh 210kg.
Dr Andy Palmer, Aston Martin Lagonda president and group CEO, said of the Valkyrie’s V12 engine: “To anyone with a drop of petrol in their blood, a high-revving naturally aspirated V12 is the absolute pinnacle.
Nothing sounds better or encapsulates the emotion and excitement of the internal combustion engine more completely.”
