Is it Science or Art? The Chief Designer of Aston Martin Expounds on the Valhalla Hypercar

The elegant Valhalla, nicknamed “Son of Valkyrie” due to its shared technologies with its high-performance predecessor, is the outcome of a partnership between Aston Martin and Red Bull Racing. Initially identified as AM-RB 003 internally, it adopted the name Valhalla following the same naming tradition as the other Aston Martin “V” vehicles. Two of these (Vulcan and Vantage GT12) were guided by Aston Martin’s Chief Creative Officer, Marek Reichman, an experienced 16-year member of the brand. While his expertise lies in design, his visionary contributions to aerodynamics and engineering are prominently showcased in the Valhalla.

During an exclusive interview in Austin with The Drive, Reichman expressed how the Valkyrie established the foundation for Aston Martin’s current comprehension and terminology of aerodynamics. The brand’s production pace is deliberate: over 108 years, Aston Martin has meticulously crafted merely 100,000 cars. In comparison, Toyota manufactured two million cars in 2020 in the United States alone.

“I find pleasure in the interaction between the scientific aspects, the engineering challenges, the aerodynamic proposals, and the aesthetic responses to those proposals,” Reichman stated. “An aerodynamic specialist may suggest one solution, indicating the necessity for a large opening on the side of the car for cooling. However, I might propose an alternative shape as long as it doesn’t compromise the required air volume and retains the functionality. This collaboration yields the aesthetics of a sports or racing car, showcasing the fusion of engineering and design.”

The Valhalla is propelled by a Mercedes-AMG-supplied 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 (following the abandonment of its original V6 plan) coupled with three electric motors, delivering an impressive total of nearly 1,000 horsepower. This hypercar promises exceptional speed. It utilizes a custom tire system from Michelin, with 21-inch rear wheels and 20-inch front wheels, drawing inspiration once more from the Valkyrie’s stance and Formula 1 cars in general. Given its power, achieving the necessary downforce scientifically is pivotal to prevent the Valhalla from losing traction and maintaining road grip.

“We anticipate a record-breaking six-minute, thirty-second lap time at the Nürburgring, positioning it as the prime contender,” Reichman affirmed.

The sculpted Valhalla, carrying the unmistakable Aston Martin design ethos, features a prominent wing configuration that, along with the lower splitter, imparts a biplane essence to the aesthetics (with contrasting physics to complement). Balancing form and functionality, the dual wing setup facilitates the expulsion of high-pressure air from the front of the car, enhancing front downforce and eliminating lift.

Lower your viewpoint to the beltline, gazing towards the front wheels, and you’ll notice a clear view extending through to the wheel arch. Essentially, the rear sixty percent of the wheel arch remains open to facilitate the release of high-pressure air, working in tandem with the upper wing’s functionality. Positioned at the front are fans and the radiator, channeling high-pressure air through the cooling mechanism. The car’s design ensures the air adheres closely to the vehicle, directing it efficiently into the primary cooling ducts in the engine. AnIn the design of the Valhalla, an angular shark-fin-like “winglet” channels airflow akin to a metal arrow heading towards the rear of the vehicle.

Reichman elaborates, “The air embraces the flank and clings on, while without this minor winglet, the air would disperse. This winglet guides the airflow down the car’s side, aiding in cooling.”

The lower wing directs the airflow beneath the vehicle, enhancing on-road stability. As the air traverses the front, it once again diversifies and disperses towards the rear; in its journey, the air navigates through finely-engineered gills.

Regarding the Valhalla’s bargeboard, Reichman clarifies its purpose in maintaining the car’s stability and grip on the road, pointing out, “Similar to how high-pressure airflow creates lift at the front, the transformation of low-pressure to high-pressure airflow is essential for grounding the car. The lateral wing splits the airflow, propelling it rearward. Essentially, the front pulls down with high-pressure air venting and collecting over the top and rear, pressing the car down.”

Contrary to its predecessor, the Valhalla features a fully retractable wing, ascending approximately 240 millimeters to initiate airflow detachment from the roof. The snorkel, a product of F1 engineering, acts as an unblemished-air supply conduit for the V8 engine. Nevertheless, this snorkel poses a dilemma: whereas the mid-engined Valkyrie was introduced initially as a coupe and later a spider, Reichman indicates uncertainty on the Valhalla’s convertible potential in the forthcoming model of that lineage.

“Implementing a snorkel of such nature poses significant challenges. While never say never, there are currently no formulated plans,” notes Reichman.

Another F1-inspired element on the Valhalla is the dual prominent exhaust pipes positioned at the center rear of the car. The outflow of hot air from these pipes aids in drawing cool air over the car’s surface, crucial for maintaining optimal performance in an environment capable of reaching temperatures around 1000 degrees Celsius, details Reichman. Zirconium coating shields the pipes to safeguard the carbon fiber tub from the intense heat.

Even the grille, initially sparking some skepticism upon unveiling, serves a crucial purpose in engine cooling.

“My responsibility is to craft a robust form embodying Aston Martin’s essence,” asserts Reichman. “Merely aerodynamics can’t market a vehicle; despite its appeal, no one purchases based on drag coefficients. The designer’s role is to amalgamate scientific principles and transform them into tangible design expressions.”

The lead designer acknowledges Lamborghini as a maker known for delivering impactful vehicles (no slight intended) that attract attention, yet this is not the trajectory he envisions for Aston Martin. He envisions the future as a continuation of the scrupulous attention to detail that epitomizes Aston Martin’s sophistication. Reichman anticipates a fresh drive and enthusiasm under the ownership of F1 billionaire team principal Lawrence Stroll (with his son, Lance Stroll, being a driver). The likelihood of technologies migrating from the racing domain to series production doesn’t surprise me at all.

“From the onset of sketching, one must grasp the bounds of possible and impossible,” describes Reichman. “The perpetual aim is to push thresholds and evolve. Valkyrie served as a valuable teacher, incorporating numerous influences and design motifs into this vehicle as well.”

Got a suggestion? Drop a line to the writer at kristin.shaw@thedrive.com