The Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR Pro was unveiled by Adrian
Newey, Chief Technical Officer of Aston Martin Red Bull Racing, and Aston
Martin Red Bull Racing’s Team Principal, Christian Horner. Joining them were
Reichman and Jean-Claude Biver, CEO of TAG Heuer - the official watch partner
of Aston Martin and Aston Martin Red Bull Racing.
Full technical details of the
Valkyrie AMR Pro will be revealed in due course, but those headline figures
that can be disclosed provide a remarkable statement of intent. Key to the
car’s unprecedented track performance are its lightweight construction and
high-downforce aerodynamics - a combination that will result in a car that
weighs 1000kg, yet is capable of generating more than its own weight in
downforce.
To achieve this remarkable
figure all the Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR Pro’s aerodynamic surfaces have been
revised in the pursuit of significantly increased downforce. Most obvious
changes are wider bodywork and much larger front and rear wing elements, which
together with revised active aerodynamic control strategies tailored for the
demands of track driving. In order to save weight this bodywork uses a lighter
construction of carbon fibre. Likewise the removal of items such as the
heater/de-mister blower and infotainment screens fitted to the road car, and
through the fitment of new ultra-lightweight track-specific components such as
a polycarbonate windscreen (with heater elements) and side windows, carbon
fibre suspension wishbones, moulded race seats and a lighter exhaust system
ensure the AMR Pro hits its 1000kg weight target.
Calibration changes to the
6.5-litre naturally-aspirated V12 engine’s emission control systems and
re-programming of the Energy Recovery System control software will result in a
combined power output of more than 1100bhp - more than the Valkyrie road car
and a figure than comfortably exceeds the magic 1:1 power-to-weight ratio.
That’s to say more than 1bhp to propel every kilogram of mass.
The single-minded pursuit of
top speed has never been part of the Valkyrie ethos, yet even in high-downforce
track configuration the AMR Pro is still capable of hitting 225mph (362kmph
approx.). Of far greater benefit to lap time is the track-only Valkyrie’s
ability to achieve lateral acceleration in excess of 3G - a figure far beyond
that of any other car derived from a fully homologated road car.
Source: Aston Martin