Aston Martin's hypercar flagship, the Valkyrie, has driven its first miles on public roads around the brand's Silverstone engineering base.
The 1160bhp mid-engined model was driven by Aston test driver Chris Goodwin and will also be driven by a team of engineers, including those from Red Bull Advanced Technologies, who were integral in the Valkyrie's development. First deliveries are now tipped for the second half of 2020 - later than initially thought.
The Czinger 21C rival has already been put through its paces countless times on track, and earlier this year, a video was released of Red Bull Racing F1 drivers Alex Albon and Max Verstappen giving it the once over behind the wheel (below).
Despite its track focus, road testing is vital to ensure the car is suitable for Valkyrie owners intending to use their cars in everyday situations. The teams must ensure necessary levels of comfort and refinement are met, along with traits such as drivetrain smoothness in slow-speed traffic.
The 1160bhp hypercar was first heard under full throttle in a video posted by boss Andy Palmer prior to the above one.
The hybrid machine is powered by a Cosworth-developed 6.5-litre V12 that produces 1000bhp and 546lb ft and can rev to 10,500rpm, along with an electric motor developed by Rimac and Integral Powertrain that produces 160bhp and 207lb ft.
Peak combined outputs of the system are confirmed to be 1160bhp at 10,500rpm and 664lb ft at 6000rpm.
The short clip, below, shows the Valkyrie passing the Silverstone start/finish line under power. It sounds as if it ventures near the engine's bike-like redline:
I hope this will make your day. @astonmartin #Valkyrie on test and unleashed at our Silverstone Proving Ground. pic.twitter.com/IzuUBkyZKn
— Dr. Andy Palmer (@AndyatAston) November 22, 2019
Last year, Autocar visited Cosworth's base in Northampton during durability testing for the petrol engine, touted as the ultimate 12-cylinder motor. We got a chance to see it perform on a dynometer, which was simulating repeated laps of the Silverstone circuit.
Cosworth has designed the engine and will build the 150 units that will be fitted to road-going Valkyries, plus around 25 track-only AMR Pro versions.
Cosworth managing director Bruce Wood confirmed the 1000hp target was agreed well before the first prototype was built, and that the V12 is set to serve as a structural component. As in a race car, it will be bolted directly to the Valkyrie's tub and have the gearbox and rear suspension hung from it. The drive gears for the camshafts are located at the rear, in an effort to insulate the cabin from some of the noise they make at high revs.
What does the @astonmartin Valkyrie's 1000bhp, 6.5-litre, naturally aspirated V12 engine sound like?Well, something like this:https://t.co/jr7Cfg6rB7 pic.twitter.com/oQAsEhBwf0
— Autocar (@autocar) 12 December 2018
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So much silly negativity,
Nice to see.
Nice to see one out on the main road, doesn't look that out of place compared to its rivals.
This loks INCREDIBLE!
It's one thing to see a static concept, but to see it on public roads... The F1 was pretty but didn't move the game along much in terms of styling and design. This is a game changer, can't wait for the road tests!
Toy story....
So, it's not going racing, not as a Factory entry, could a buyer do as a privateer?
Let's see.
What is obvious though from the Adrian Newey design is that any buyers might have to get some racing tuition to do the car at least 30% of it's potential.
As people bring out 2000 bhp pure EV cars like Lotus etc that are heavy, this V12 epic engine in an epic chassis might go up in value like the original F1 car.
It's not going to be a duffer is it.