When it was revealed, the joint Aston Martin and Red Bull hypercar was known as AM-RB 001, now it’ll be officially known as the Valkyrie.
CONTINUING A TRADITION of using V in the naming of its vehicles (back to 1951), the Aston Martin Valkyrie replaces the vehicle’s codename, AM-RB 001.
Back in 1951 with the release of the Aston Martin Vantage, it was decided that a V-name would distinguish high performance variants of the then current model, the DB2. The first time the Vantage badge appeared was on the side of the DB5. It remained a name reserved for the most potent model derivatives until 2005, when the Vantage became a model line in its own right.
Aston Martin’s Chief Creative Officer, Marek Reichman, said “Aston Martin model names have deep meaning. They need to inspire and excite. To tell a story and enrich a narrative that stretches back some 104-years. The Aston Martin Valkyrie is an incredibly special car that demands an equally remarkable name; an uncompromising car that leaves nothing in reserve. The connotations of power and honour, of being chosen by the Gods are so evocative, and so pertinent to a car that only a fortunate few will ever experience.”
Aston Martin will only release 150 versions of the Valykrie, all powered by a 6.5-litre V12 Cosworth-built engine which will be matched to a seven-speed paddle-shift gearbox. According to rumour, all 150 road-going examples have already been sold for 2million.
According to Aston Martin, the Valkyrie has been designed to be as close as possible to a Formula One car for the road. There will also be a track-only version of the Valkyrie which is rumoured to rival an LMP1 car for performance.
