Aston Martin’s Valkyrie Hypercar Set to Debut in 2025, Testing Slated for Q3 2023
The FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship are abuzz with the news that Aston Martin’s Valkyrie Hypercar is nearing its track testing debut, with an expected rollout in the third quarter of 2023. Heart of Racing’s Ian James shared the latest update with Motorsportweek.com, revealing that the prestigious marque is on schedule to bring its new LMH contender to the grid in 2025.
“We’re hoping to have a car on the ground to start track testing in Q3,” James said, highlighting the team’s dedication to delivering a competitive package. “We’ve been conducting extensive off-track testing, including component testing and simulation work. Additionally, we’ve been running an AMR Pro mule car to test certain parts, and we’re excited to get the real thing on the track. Everything on the program seems to be on schedule.”
The Valkyrie Hypercar’s development is being undertaken jointly by Aston Martin and their partner Multimatic, which boasts a wealth of experience in sportscar projects, including the Ford Mustang GT3 program and the Porsche 963. Heart of Racing, primarily based in the United States, will be responsible for running two factory-supported programs in both the WEC and IMSA simultaneously.
When asked about the car’s design, James emphasized the DNA of the road car, saying, “It’s definitely under the LMH rule set, and we’re using the channel, with the lightness of the road car. So you’ll definitely see the familiar lines of the road car in the race car.” The Valkyrie LMH will be powered by a V12 Aston Martin engine, without a hybrid unit – a unique approach that could set it apart from its competitors in both the WEC and IMSA.
“The packaging is very nice and tidy. Listening to the engine in the mule car and on the dyno, it’s an impressive piece,” James noted, highlighting the benefits of forgoing a hybrid system. “It’s not a hybrid, so we don’t have the weight of the battery, which offsets the weight of the engine, per se.”
As the FIA WEC 2023 calendar takes shape, fans are eagerly anticipating the Valkyrie Hypercar’s debut. With Heart of Racing set to contest both the WEC and IMSA championships, the stage is set for an exciting battle in the top-tier sportscar racing categories.
Stay tuned for further updates on the Aston Martin Valkyrie Hypercar’s progress, as it prepares to take on the likes of the FIA WEC and IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship in 2025.
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