By Dave Elland: Rare and Prestige correspondent.
Following the successful introduction of the mid-engined hybrid Valhalla Coupe earlier this year, Aston Martin is now presents the new Valhalla Spider; the ultimate roof-off driving and fastest open-cockpit Aston Martin ever made.
As Aston Martin’s first mid-engined open-cockpit production supercar, Valhalla Spider’s mission is clear; to increase the opportunities for driver enjoyment while preserving the class-leading dynamic bandwidth that enables Valhalla to achieve the highest levels of accessible performance and engagement on both road & track.
Continued close collaboration with Aston Martin Performance Technologies (AMPT) – the consulting arm of the Aston Martin Aramco Formula 1 ® Team – on dynamics, aerodynamics and materials have brought an extra dimension of knowledge and skills to the Valhalla Spider’s design and development, allowing Aston Martin to further push the boundaries of supercar engineering and performance – now in roof-off form.
Valhalla Spider employs a comprehensive roof system designed to conserve the clean, flowing lines of Valhalla Coupe and provide optimum solutions for every driving scenario. Fitted with a removable and stowable black fabric roof as standard*, customers can enjoy roof-off driving with the reassurance of full weather protection should conditions change. With the fabric roof in place, drivers can reach speeds of up to a class leading 124mph (200 km/h). An optional carbon fibre hard top offers an alternative solution and allows unrestricted roof-on access to Valhalla Spider’s immense top speed, which is electronically limited to 217mph (350 km/h). A rain cover is also provided for static use.
Underlining the commitment to driving thrills, Valhalla Spider is also capable of achieving Vmax with its roof removed. This makes it the fastest open-cockpit Aston Martin ever.
To maintain maximum performance with the roof off, while optimising occupant comfort, Valhalla Spider features a unique wind deflector. Designed to manage airflow over the open cockpit, this simple yet effective device is quickly clipped into position when the roof panel is removed. The unique design controls air flow off the windscreen header to ensure cooling air flow is pulled down to the snorkel whilst lifting air over the occupants for enhanced comfort. The snorkel has also been optimised for this open top variant – bespoke to Valhalla Spider it has been reprofiled and sits 35mm taller. With the roof on, the wind deflector can be folded into 3 parts and stored inside the new 15-litre sill stowage apertures. Revised active aerodynamics and Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) calibrations identify and adapt to the air flow in both roof-on and roof-off conditions, maintaining consistent vehicle balance, stability and driver confidence.
A new carbon fibre Touring Seat now comes as standard on Valhalla Spider, also enhancing occupant comfort and ease of entry and exit with the roof on. However, the original carbon fibre seat from Valhalla Coupe can be retained at no cost if more dynamic driving support is preferred.
Valhalla Spider shares the same 1079PS and 1100Nm of torque plug-in hybrid powertrain as Valhalla Coupe. Central to this is the 828PS 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine. Unique to Valhalla, it boasts a specific output of 207bhp-per-litre – the highest specific output of any Aston Martin combustion engine. In addition, a trio of e-motors and High-Performance Battery (HPB) contribute a further 251PS making Valhalla a true supercar with hypercar performance.
A pair of electric motors drive the front e-axle, with full Electric Torque Vectoring (E-TV) to enhance both agility and stability. The third motor integrated alongside the 8-speed DCT transmission, assists the V8 combustion engine to drive the rear axle and e-diff. With no mechanical connection between front and rear axles, drive to each individual wheel is continually managed by Aston Martin’s advanced Integrated Vehicle Dynamics Control (IVC) system. The Integrated Vehicle Dynamics Control (IVC) electronics monitor suspension, braking, steering, active aerodynamics and powertrain systems to achieve optimal performance and driver connection in every situation. Working in harmony with Valhalla’s four driver selectable drive modes, IVC continually shapes Valhalla Spiders’ dynamic character by monitoring vehicle behaviour and driver demands. Through precise calibration this immensely complex and sophisticated system delivers an organic, natural feeling driving experience.
Valhalla Spider also features the same advanced and extensive whole-vehicle active aerodynamics as debuted on Valhalla Coupe. Combining moveable aerodynamic surfaces with precise management of underbody airflow, Valhalla Spider continually adjusts front and rear downforce to maximise grip, handling balance and consistency of response, or reduces drag depending on situation and the driving mode selected for optimum aerodynamic efficiency. Having both front and rear active aerodynamic mechanisms allows Valhalla to have excellent control of the downforce distribution between front and rear axles, this is crucial for stability and vehicle performance.
Thanks to this shared foundational hardware and software the technical variance between Valhalla Spider and Coupe is limited to specific changes to active aerodynamics and Electronic Stability Control calibration. Each has been precisely tailored to maintain consistent aerodynamic performance and dynamic behaviour in roof-off and roof-on conditions; maximum downforce in excess of 600kg (with roof fitted).
At Valhalla Spiders’ core is a version of the bespoke carbon fibre tub deployed on Valhalla Coupe. Designed and engineered by AMPT, which applies their highly specialised F1 ® expertise and technical capabilities beyond the pinnacle of motorsport, Valhalla’s structure is the product of cutting-edge composite technology.
Complementing the open-air driving experience, Valhalla Spider retains its signature carbon fibre dihedral doors, preserving the sense of theatre; now with refined kinematics for smoother operation and a transition to a frameless design. A small increase in the curvature of the door glass top edge also improves entry and exit when the roof is fitted.