Aston Martin’s highly anticipated Valhalla, initially introduced as the AM-RB 03, is set to enter limited production in 2024 after finalising its development. The mid-engined supercar has transitioned from a V-6 to a powerful AMG flat-plane crank 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, coupled with two electric motors for a combined output of 998bhp and four-wheel drive capabilities.
With a top speed of 349km/h and an estimated 0-100km/h acceleration in 2.5 seconds, the Valhalla promises an exhilarating performance.
Recent photos of a prototype undergoing testing at Silverstone reveal design tweaks, including larger side cutouts for a more aggressive appearance.
The nose retains Aston Martin’s distinctive styling, and notable features include production-ready headlights, side mirrors, and a retractable rear wing. The rear of the car showcases a variant of the concept’s substantial diffuser.
While the interior of the prototype appears race-oriented, the final production model is expected to offer a more refined cabin, striking a balance between performance and practicality. Limited to just 999 units, the Aston Martin Valhalla represents a high-performance, exclusive offering for enthusiasts.
According to some news portals, major carmakers Ford, Tesla, Volkswagen, Volvo, Polestar and others have begun phasing out AM Radio. But this has not been received well by some parties including the authorities.
The big news about AM came via a social media post by Ford CEO Jim Farley following a barrage of criticism from politicians and customers alike. Everyone was concerned about the fact that many emergency notifications are broadcast on AM radio stations.
As carmakers make the transition to electrically-powered cars, demand for electric motors is rising. In most cases, the motors come from other companies that have specialised in such powertrains. While this arrangement is cost-effective in some ways. It does not necessarily fully optimise performance in the way the carmaker may want it.
Therefore, in order to have electric motors that are perfectly suited to its own vehicles, Volvo Cars is making significant investments that will allow for in-house design and development of such powertrains. These will be for the next generation of Volvo models as the company continues to move towards becoming a fully electric carmaker.
The new electric motor lab in Shanghai, China.
Addition to global network
The first step is the recent opening company of a brand new electric motor lab in Shanghai, China. This joins the global network of facilities for the development and testing of electric car components. The lab comes in addition to ongoing e-motor development in Sweden and state-of-the-art battery labs in China and Sweden.
Taking over the role of the internal combustion engine in car engineering, e-motors are a fundamental building block of electric cars, together with the battery and power electronics. The interplay between these three component areas is crucial in developing premium electric cars.
Bringing the development of electric motors in-house will allow Volvo Cars engineers to further optimise electric motors and the entire electric driveline in new Volvos. This approach will allow engineers to make further gains in terms of energy efficiency and overall performance.
Fine-tuning e-motors
“Through in-house design and development, we can fine-tune our e-motors to ever better levels,” said Henrik Green, Chief Technology Officer at Volvo Cars. “By constantly improving their overall performance levels in terms of energy efficiency and comfort, we create an electric driving experience that is unique to Volvo.”
E-motors enable features that electric cars are known for, such as instant acceleration and so-called One Pedal Driving, whereby drivers use the accelerator pedal both for acceleration and deceleration, depending on whether they push in or lift their foot off the pedal.
The XC40 Recharge P8 is the first of many all-electric models that will be coming.
The newly opened electric motor lab in Shanghai became operational last month. It will mainly focus on electric motor development for use in fully electric and hybrid cars based on Volvo Cars’ forthcoming SPA 2 modular vehicle architecture.
The investments in e-motor design and development represent yet another step towards Volvo Cars’ climate ambitions and electrification strategy. It aims for 50% of its sales to be fully electric vehicles by 2025, with the rest hybrids.
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. and Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd. have announced the establishment of a joint venture company that will develop and manufacture electric motors for vehicles. The company will use Hitachi Automotive Systems’ premises in Hitachinaka-shi, Ibaraki Prefecture.
Prior to the establishment of the company, both companies were engaged in various discussions based on a Memorandum of Understanding that was signed February 3rd. It will receive a financial grant from Ibaraki Prefecture as it has been recognized as a relevant project that “promotes the establishment of corporate head office functions” within the prefecture.
This joint venture will allow Honda better access to electric motor technology as well as give the company a head start at being a mass producer of EV motors. The advent of practical electric vehicles such as the Nissan Leaf and Tesla Model S has managed to convince many that EV vehicles can be a practical mode of transportation.
Unlike the old days, newer ones are able to travel longer before needing to be recharged and are fitted with batteries that last over time. Automakers have also increased the warranty period on these batteries as well as initiated programmes that make it easier for owners to have their tired batteries replaced at a fraction of the actual costs.
Mass production of electrical components such as battery packs and motors, should drive down costs of buying and owning an EV, which in turn will reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. Honda should benefit from this quiet a bit, especially if it manages to convince large automakers to buy Honda motors rather than build their own from scratch.
