Aston Martin’s dreams to enter Le Mans might be dead, but its hardcore Valkyrie isn’t. Unrestraint from nebulous racecar regulations, the Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR Pro is touted as “The Ultimate No Rules Hypercar”. And it certainly does look the part.
With giant wings, barge boards, and diffuser, the track-only Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR Pro looks ready to take flight at the Circuit de la Sarthe. But that isn’t all set dressing.
Aston Martin didn’t just strap on some flamboyant aero on a standard Valkyrie to turn it into the AMR Pro. Instead, it is repurposed from the company’s aborted race car originally intended for the Hypercar class.
Hypercar reborn
Developed by Red Bull Advanced Technologies and Multimatic, the Valkyrie AMR Pro’s wheelbase is 380mm longer than the road-going car. Front and rear tracks sit wider at 96mm and 115mm respectively over the standard Valkyrie. However, the biggest change is in its powertrain.
The fabled 735kW 6.5-litre naturally aspirated V12 engine now powers the AMR Pro alone, without the Valkyrie’s Rimac-developed hybrid system. Not that drivers will miss the hybrid system’s 118kW assist, with the hefty hybrid batteries gone.
To further shave weight, the reborn racer sports an ultra-lightweight carbon-fibre bodywork, carbon suspension wishbones, and Perspex windows. That said, Aston Martin didn’t reveal any weight figures for the Valkyrie AMR Pro.
Is the Valkyrie AMR Pro quicker than a Le Mans car?
Although Aston believes that the Valkyrie AMR Pro can exceed 3G in the corners, don’t expect it to beat actual Le Mans racers. With a “target lap time” of 3min 20sec around Circuit de la Sarthe, it trails behind the LMP1 cars. For comparison, the Toyota TS050 recorded a lap time of 3min 17.297sec during a race and 3min 14.791sec in qualifying.
Like many exclusive track-only specials, the track-bound Valkyrie comes bundled with special track day sessions, with team and instructor support. No word on the price though. Considering the hype the standard Valkyrie generated, one can expect all 40 AMR Pros to find eager owners. After all, who could resist a bona fide Le Mans racer that is free from rules and restrictions?
Pity that it won’t be duelling in Le Mans for glory and adulation from the rest of us.