We’re sticking our neck out a little by saying this, but we’re pretty sure that literally no one has ever looked at Aston Martin’s present performance special, the Valkyrie, and thought it wasn’t really enough. Those who have been lucky enough to drive one have reported that it really does take driver involvement to new highs, but we guess that some people want just that little bit more from their motorcars.
For that, the team at Gaydon have come up with this, the Valkyrie AMR Pro, a track-only performance machine that has received such extensive reworking that only the biggest automotive anorak would recognise it as a Valkyrie. Only 150 will be made, and all of them have been sold (for a sum said to be well north of $5,000,000 each).
“Valkyrie has always been about pushing the limits and redefining the possible. The road car will set new benchmarks for performance, engineering and technology - a hypercar in the truest sense - and with the track-only Valkyrie AMR Pro those limits will be pushed further still.” — Dr. Andy Palmer, CEO, Aston Martin
As of yet there are no actual images of the Valkyrie AMR Pro, but computer renderings show that the bodywork has been extensively reworked to improve aerodynamics and increase downforce, and also to differentiate it from its road-going sibling. The compromises made to the road-legal Valkyrie to make it road-legal have been thrown out the window, in pursuit of making the ultimate track weapon.
There’s mention of revisions, modifications and recalibration made to the 6.5-litre Cosworth V12, but no numbers were detailed. There isn’t much of a baseline to work with either, as the road-legal Valkyrie’s numbers are also still a mystery. What we’re certain of is a more impressive power-to-weight ratio than the road car, as the AMR Pro has saved weight wherever possible. This includes things like a lightweight polycarbonate used for all the windows, carbon-fibre being used for the wishbones, and moulded seats that do away with the usual adjustment paraphernalia.
According to Aston Martin, the various changes and revisions to the AMR Pro will see it hit a top speed close to 402km/h, and be capable of cornering with forces “in excess of 3.3g.”
Interestingly, the AMR Pro runs on smaller wheels than its road-going sibling, with 18-inch wheels in all four corners, specifically so that it can utilise the same Michelin racing rubbers used by LMP1 race cars in the World Endurance Championship. And like a professional drivers, AMR Pro owners will be granted the same access as Aston Martin-Red Bull Racing F1 drivers, like on-track driver training and time in their dedicated simulator.
“It has always been vitally important that the Valkyrie functions well as a true road-car, and that naturally comes with constraints. With the track-only AMR Pro, we have the freedom to create an extreme evolution that makes no concessions. While core elements of the road and track version are shared, every aspect of the AMR Pro has been optimised to extend the performance envelope. It offers a level of track performance significantly beyond any previous two-seat closed-roof car.” — Adrian Newey, CTO, Red Bull Technology
Please excuse us while we daydream about this AMR Pro screaming alongside a Ferrari FXX-K Evo for a while.
For more information on Aston Martin, check out our Showroom.
