It’s not often an automaker blesses the public with a street-legal Formula One-inspired race car, but that’s exactly what the otherworldly-looking Aston Martin Valkyrie is. With a mere 150 made, these are hot commodities. With this particular one headed to the auction block in Dubai soon, people are gearing up.
A Lamborghini Sian will also be auctioning soon.
In partnership with Red Bull Racing, Aston Martin created this hypercar using a minimalistic approach. Nothing on it is superfluous, with everything geared at providing the most performance possible.
At its heart is a naturally aspirated 6.5-liter Cosworth V12 with an 11,000 rpm redline, just like a true race car. Output is similarly astonishing at 1,140-bhp once the electric motor kicks in, which was developed with the help of Rimac. The way the hybrid powertrain works is quite similar to the F1 KERS tech, proving that this is essentially a modern F1 car built for street legality.
All that power routes through a seven-speed sequential gearbox, allowing this Aston Martin to sprint from 0-62 mph is just 2.6 seconds. The top speed is reportedly over 248 mph, something one could only sanely and likely legally test out on a closed track. But that’s where a machine like this is most at home.
Lightweighting principles for this unique hypercar included making the structure out of carbon fiber instead of steel. Even the front badge and taillights have been minimized to keep the curb weight down.
A similarly simple approach was used for the cabin, which is accommodating yet devoid of excess. Climbing inside, you definitely feel as if you’re inside a luxury racer, with everything geared towards driving hard.
Massive aero elements, like the front spoiler and rear diffuser, are designed to keep the lightweight yet wondrously powerful vehicle on the ground and handling sharply. Not everyone will appreciate such a refined performance machine, but those who do will appreciate how uniquely honed for track and road enjoyment it is.
Included in the RM Sotheby’s Dubai auction, estimates are that it will sell for upwards of $3,300,000. Considering its rarity and desirability, we think that figure might come to fruition.
See the official lot listing here.
Images via RM Sotheby’s
Elizabeth Puckett
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