The last half decade has seen Aston Martin reinvigorate the quintessential British marque. Gone is the malaise of Ford’s ownership. In its place, we find a healthy, powerful, badass selection of automobiles that have not only captured an audience but also brought back the idea of a poster car with the company’s upcoming Valkyrie and Valkyrie AMR Pro. Yet, Aston Martin wants to build more mid-engined hypercars which is why it’s just announced a third, as yet unnamed, hypercar to sit alongside its Norse-named brethren.
Not much information was given in Aston Martin’s press release other than the internal project name: the 003 (Valkyrie is 001 and the Valkyrie AMR Pro is 002). The 003 will have DNA rooted in the Valkyrie’s technology, concept, and ethos, but unlike the Valkyrie, which makes use of a naturally aspirated hybrid V12 built by Cosworth, the 003 will use a turbocharged hybrid engine.
Like its Valkyrie counterparts, the 003 will be a lightweight machine with active suspension and provide drivers with superior control and dynamics. That said, the 003 will be a more livable car versus the Valkyries. According to the company, it will offer more “practical concessions to road use, including space for luggage.”
Also released was a very concept-like sketch that does little more than give us a general idea of the 003’s shape, which follows very similar design cues as the Valkyries.
“It was always the intention for the Aston Martin Valkyrie to be a once-in-a-lifetime project. However, it was also vital to us that Valkyrie would create a legacy: a direct descendant that would also set new standards within its own area of the hypercar market, creating a bloodline of highly specialized, limited production machines that can exist in parallel with Aston Martin’s series production models. I’m thrilled to announce that this car is the Project 003 and our next step into a dynamic and exacting arena,” said Dr. Andy Palmer, Aston Martin’s president and CEO and the driving force of Aston Martin’s rebirth.
Only 500 coupes will be built, but no price has been given. It will most likely be quite expensive, though not feature the same eye-watering $3.2 million price tag as the Valkyrie. We’d hazard to guess it will feature a $1 million or so price. The first cars will be delivered in 2021.
