Aston Martin Unveils Valkyrie-Based Le Mans Hypercar
Aston Martin has recently released the first images of its upcoming Le Mans Hypercar (LMH), which is based on the renowned Valkyrie. The car has been undergoing rigorous testing in preparation for its participation in the World Endurance Championship next year. What sets this LMH apart is its powerful V12 engine, the same one found in the road-going Valkyrie. Aston Martin has modified and enhanced the naturally aspirated 6.5-liter unit to comply with LMH regulations, which limit competitors to a maximum of 697bhp.
The British automaker’s primary goal is to achieve overall victory at the prestigious Le Mans 24 Hours, an event it hasn’t won since 1959. Aston Martin plans to maximize its chances of success by entering six Valkyries in the race. The company originally intended to compete at Le Mans in 2019 but postponed its plans. However, in 2022, Aston Martin’s chairman, Lawrence Stroll, expressed renewed interest in participating, stating that racing aligns with the brand’s message.
To ensure success, Aston Martin has partnered with US-based sports car team Heart of Racing, which currently competes in the GT3 class. The development of the racing Valkyrie will benefit from Aston Martin’s extensive knowledge base gained through its involvement in Formula 1. This expertise will eventually trickle down to the brand’s road cars.
The Valkyrie LMH is built on a carbon fiber chassis and stands out as the first car on the endurance grid based on an existing production model. Adam Carter, Aston Martin Performance Technologies engineering director, expressed confidence that the Valkyrie will be a competitive contender in the top tier of sports car racing. The car has been designed to prioritize aerodynamic efficiency and weight reduction compared to its road-going counterpart, the Valkyrie AMR Pro.
Regarding the future of the Valkyrie’s Cosworth-developed V12 engine, Carter stated that while one can never say never, there are currently no plans for its use in other Aston Martin models. This exclusivity gives the Valkyrie LMH team a competitive edge. Additionally, Carter mentioned that the development of the hypercar will strongly influence Aston Martin’s electric vehicle program as the brand shifts away from combustion cars in the long term. The focus will be on maintaining low weight and ensuring long-term durability.
Aston Martin’s participation in motorsport, particularly endurance racing, serves to create a synergy between the brand’s luxury image and its racing pedigree. The company aims to deliver a race car with exceptional performance capabilities that can compete with the benchmark machinery in its class.
In conclusion, Aston Martin’s Valkyrie-based Le Mans Hypercar represents the brand’s ambitious return to the world of endurance racing. With its powerful V12 engine, aerodynamic design, and partnership with Heart of Racing, Aston Martin aims to secure an overall victory at the Le Mans 24 Hours, a feat it hasn’t achieved since 1959. The development of the Valkyrie LMH will also contribute to Aston Martin’s future electric vehicle program, emphasizing the importance of weight reduction and long-term durability.
