2022 Aston Martin Valkyrie V12 Spider Drops It Like It’s Hot

Aston Martin has lifted the lid on the new “Spider” version of its 1,134 hp (1,150 PS/845 kW) Valkyrie hypercar. Powered by an identical hybrid drivetrain, the open-air special will be limited to just 85 examples.

The British carmaker hails the new Valkyrie Spider as the fastest open-top vehicle it has ever made and it sought not to stray far from Adrian Newey’s original design. As a result, changes to the Red Bull Racing chief technical officer’s design are limited to the hinges, the necessary chassis strengthening, and mild aero changes to account for the removable top.

“What you see is a simple removable roof panel, but the challenge of remaining true to the Valkyrie concept was anything but,” said Newey. “Maintaining aerodynamic performance with the roof removed was of paramount importance, likewise keeping any unavoidable weight gains to an absolute minimum whilst maximizing enjoyment for the driver.”

As Newey points out, the roof looks pretty simple and just latches onto the car, and can easily be removed with the doors open. Made up of a central carbon-fiber spine, the roof is bracketed on either side by polycarbonate glass panels that fold up, hinged at the same place as the hardtop version’s gullwing hinges.

Those Dihedral Doors Look Pretty Damn Cool

Unlike the hardtop, the Valkyrie Spider gets dihedral-hinged doors that tilt forward for easy entry and exit. These, along with the need for extra strengthening to make up for the strength lost by the non-structural roof, meant that Aston Martin had to revise the car’s carbon structure.

The company does not go into specifics about the nature or the weight cost of these modifications but says that the Spider will weigh only marginally more than the Valkyrie coupe. There’s no information on the aero changes, either, but says that they were done with an eye to optimizing roof-off driving.

Still, the car is faster with the roof on. With it in place, the Valkyrie Spider hits a top speed of 350km/h+ (217 mph). With the roof off, the top speed drops to 330 km/h+ (205 mph). Aston Martin promises that it will be monstrously fast around a track either way.

“It’s the fastest and most extreme open-top, road-legal Aston Martin ever built,” the company writes. “Delivering LMP1 levels of performance, Valkyrie Spider is simulated to set impressive lap times, not normally achievable in a road-going car.”

1,160 Horses And An 11,100rpm Redline

Powering both Valkyrie models is a 6.5-liter V12 engine producing 1,000 horses aided by a 160hp battery electric system designed by Rimacn and Integral Powertrain. Combined, they deliver 1,134 hp (1,150 PS/845 kW) at 10,500rpm and 664lb ft (900 Nm) at 6,000rpm. With the V12 redlining at 11,100 rpm, the sound with the roof off will likely be awe-inspiring. Aston Martin says that more people have signed up to buy the car than the 85 models it will build, so it plans to begin making allocations soon.

The company says it’s well on its way to developing the first development prototypes, after which information like the overall weight, lap times, and more will become available. To be available in both left and right-hand drive derivatives, first deliveries of the Spider to customers are scheduled for the second half of 2022.

“With the Valkyrie Spider we are taking that passion and emotion to the next level,” says Tobias Moers, Aston Martin CEO. “The driving experience promises to be truly sensational.”

Aston Martin hasn’t yet stated a price Valkyrie Spider, but build spots for the coupe reportedly cost £2,310,000 ($3,207,432).