Just when you thought the road-going Aston Martin Valkyrie as “extreme”, there are 25 more people who have ordered the Valkyrie AMR Pro — the track-only extremeness of an already extreme car.
Just like in the road-going version, Adrian Newey takes care of the AMR Pro’s exterior. All the aerodynamic surfaces have been revised in pursuit of a significantly increased downforce, including the addition of much larger front and rear wing elements, together with revised active aerodynamic control strategies tailored for track driving.
The hypercar’s naturally-aspirated 6.5-litre Cosworth-built V12 engine develops more power and torque — exact figures will be released in due course — thanks to a significant engine recalibration and the modification of the road car’s emission control systems, said the company. The output of the Rimac Energy Recovery System remains unchanged, but its control systems will be re-programmed.
The AMR Pro runs on wheels of a smaller diameter than the road car (18-inch front and rear) in order to facilitate the fitment of Michelin racing tyres, which are made to the same specification as those used by LMP1 cars in the World Endurance Championship. The AMR Pro also features F1 inspired race-spec carbon-carbon brakes as their performance characteristics are perfectly suited to the extremes of track use.
As you might expect, the heater/de-mister blower and infotainment screens fitted to the road car have been removed for weight savings. There are some ultra-lightweight track-specific components as well. These include polycarbonate windscreen (with heater elements) and side windows, a lighter construction of carbon fibre bodywork, new suspension uprights and carbon fibre wishbones, moulded race seats in place of the adjustable road car items. The AMR Pro’s exhaust system will also be lighter than that fitted to the road car due to the minimal silencing requirements.
With all these changes, Aston Martin predicts the top speed to be close to 250 mph (402 km/h), and the ability to sustain cornering forces in excess of 3.3 g and braking deceleration of more than 3.5 g. According to Red Bull’s extensive simulation work the Valkyrie AMR Pro will be capable of achieving lap times to rival those of a contemporary F1 or LMP1 car — pace previously unthinkable in a car derived from a fully homologated road car.
Given the car’s extraordinary capabilities, the Valkyrie AMR Pro customers will be taken through an intensive and comprehensive driver development programme. Tailored to their individual experience and skill levels, owners will have access to the same facilities as Aston Martin Red Bull Racing’s F1 drivers. This includes time in the simulator and professional on-track tuition, plus programmes to improve their physical fitness. They will then be ready to enjoy their cars to the full with a series of dedicated track events held at some of the world’s most prestigious race tracks.
Only 150 road-going versions and 25 track-only AMR Pro versions will be built. All units sold out. Deliveries are expected in 2020.
Red Bull Technology’s Chief Technical Officer, Adrian Newey, said: “While it is endowed with extraordinary performance, it has always been vitally important to me that the Valkyrie functions well as a true road car, and that naturally comes with some constraints. However, with the track-only Valkyrie AMR Pro we have the freedom to create an extreme evolution that makes no such concessions. While the core elements of the road and track versions are shared, every aspect of the AMR Pro — aerodynamics, chassis, powertrain and weight — has been optimised to significantly extend the performance envelope. It offers a level of track performance significantly beyond any previous two-seat closed roof car.”
Andy Palmer, Aston Martin President and Chief Executive Officer, adds: “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.”
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