If you’re the sort who thinks the Aston Martin Valkyrie isn’t exclusive enough, then the British brand has you covered with this – the new Valkyrie Spider.
It was launched at an exclusive invitation-only event at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, and it’s the fastest open-topped vehicle that Aston Martin has built to date. Production will be limited to just 85 examples worldwide and is scheduled to start next year.
The Aston Martin Valkyrie Spider is powered by the same V12 hybrid powertrain found in the fixed roof model, which has a combined output of 865kW and 900Nm.
It comprises a naturally aspirated 6.5-litre V12 engine, an electric motor mounted in the gearbox, a lightweight battery pack and a Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS), which is similar to the technology found in the British brand’s Formula One racers.
Aston Martin says the powertrain has enough grunt to propel the Valkyrie Spider to a top speed of 330km/h with the roof off. Install the roof panel and that figure climbs to 350km/h thanks to the improved aerodynamics it brings.
However, while the engine remains unchanged over the hard-top car, Aston Martin has had to make a few modifications to the Valkyrie Spider’s chassis to compensate for the strength lost by removing the roof.
The hypercar’s carbon-fibre tub benefits from extra strengthening beams, while its active aerodynamics and chassis control systems have been recalibrated. Aston Martin has also developed new dihedral doors to replace the gullwing items fitted to the Valkyrie coupe.
Aston Martin says that the Valkyrie Spider is only marginally heavier than the fixed roof model, as its new components are made from lightweight materials; the removable roof panel is carbon fibre, while the windows in the new doors are polycarbonate rather than glass.
The Valkyrie Spider also retains the same uncompromising interior, complete with six-point racing harnesses, bucket seats, carbon-fibre trim and an LMP1-style steering wheel, with a digital gauge cluster mounted in its centre.
There are a further three displays. The centre panel is for the infotainment system, while the two mounted near the A-pillars act as digital replacements for the car’s door mirrors. As there’s no rear window, there’s also a rear-view camera feed for the centre screen.
Aston Martin in Monterey
To complement the Valkyrie Spider, Aston Martin is displaying a number of its most exclusive cars at the Monterey Car Week, including the limited-edition V12 Speedster and the AUD$5.2-million James Bond-inspired DB5 Goldfinger Continuation, which features a host of working gadgets like those found on Sean Connery’s car in the 1964 film, Goldfinger.
Aston Martin’s other supercar, the Valhalla, also made its North American debut at the show. It’s powered by a 700kW plug-in hybrid powertrain, which mixes a twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 with two electric motors (one on each axle), giving the car four-wheel drive.
Luke Wilkinson