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Aston Martin and Red Bull Advanced Technologies have been working intensively to further develop the Aston Martin Valkyrie hypercar’s aerodynamics, body styling and cockpit packaging.
The teardrop-shaped cockpit’s upper body surfaces and lower tub contours follow the envelope of space available between the huge full length Venturi tunnels that run either side of the cockpit floor.
Drawing huge quantities of air beneath the car to feed the rear diffuser, these tunnels are the key to generating the Aston Martin Valkyrie’s downforce while keeping the upper body surfaces free from additional aerodynamic devices that its designers say would spoil the purity of the styling.
To maximise interior space the seats are mounted directly to the tub, with occupants adopting a reclined ‘feet-up’ position reminiscent of today’s Formula One and Le Mans Prototype race cars, ensuring driver and passenger are ‘extremely safe, perfectly supported and feel completely at one with the car’.
A four-point harness comes as standard, while an optional six-point harness will be offered for those who intend to do more track driving.
The steering wheel is also detachable, both to aid ingress and egress, and to serve as an additional security device.
The all-enveloping bodywork and roof-mounted engine air intake means there is no rear window, negating the requirement for a rearview mirror.
Matt Hill, Aston Martin creative director of interiors said: “We’ve embraced Red Bull Racing’s Formula One ethos and approached from a different angle than conventional road car design. You really do have to sit in it to believe there is genuine space for two large adults.”
Full production of the $3m upcoming sports car with a 6.5 L Cosworth naturally-aspirated V12 engine is set to start next year.
