Aston Martin is Working on a Baby Version of its Insane Hypercar

Aston Martin is developing another supercar in collaboration with Red Bull Racing’s Formula 1 team.

The news comes from the British automaker’s CEO, Andy Palmer, who said the next supercar will be less extreme than the Valkyrie, but will also benefit from Formula 1 technology. The new project doesn’t yet have a name, but is set to go on sale around 2020 and will aim to compete with the Ferrari 488 and McLaren 720S.

The plan is to have 130 engineers and designers specifically working on the mid-engine supercar at Aston Martin Red Bull Racing’s Milton Keynes U.K. headquarters. It will feature an all-new carbon fiber monocoque with aluminum subframes, rather than using the aluminum platform found on the recently launched Vantage.

SEE ALSO: Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR Pro Weighs Just 1,000 KGs, Tops Out at 225 MPH

Palmer wouldn’t say what will power the supercar, but did confirm it will be electrified to maximized power while offering a small benefit to efficiency. An engine that definitely isn’t on the table is a V12, because of its weight. A strong possibility is a version of Mercedes-AMG’s 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8, which now has a 48-volt EQ Boost mild-hybrid system.

Since this will be Aston Martin’s first mid-engine car, Palmer explained how the Valkyrie is important in giving the brand credibility to compete with the Ferrari 488. “Aston has never done a mid-engine car before but, fast-forward three years, and if you’re already famous for the fastest car in the world and you’ve been in Formula 1, and, hopefully, won a few titles then all of a sudden it’s obvious Aston should have a mid-engine supercar,” he said.

[Source: Motoring]

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