Aston Martin is Working on a New Turbocharged V6

Aston Martin is working on a new turbocharged V6 engine that will appear in the forthcoming ‘003’ hypercar it teased last week.

Speaking to AutoExpress, Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer said the new turbo V6 would be paired with a hybrid system in the 003 (that’s a working title, by the way). The hybrid system will feature a kinetic energy recovery system (KERS) which will allow it to harvest battery energy when the vehicle is coasting or braking and deploy it at a later time for a temporary boost in power.

The LaFerrari, which Aston Martin sees as a competitor to the 003, featured a comparable F1-inspired KERS system. The LaFerrai used its hybrid power solely to boost performance, and similarly, Aston Martin is putting performance before fuel economy with the 003’s electrified powertrain. Aston’s forthcoming halo car, the Valkyrie, will feature the same type of hybrid system and lessons learned during its development will be critical in ensuring the 003 can take on the best from Ferrari and Porsche.

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Palmer said the 003 will “more than compete” with cars like the LaFerrari and Porsche 918 Spyder in regards to power. The LaFerrari makes 950 hp from its V12 hybrid powertrain, while the 918 Spyder makes 887 hp. We’d say a safe estimate in regards to the 003’s output is 900 hp to 1,000 hp, then. Not bad for a V6.

The 003, which may cost over $1 million, is also being jointly developed with Aston Martin’s new mid-engine Ferrari 488 rival. By comparison, the 488 rival will be more subdued both performance wise and stylistically, and it will also be less expensive. The two will still have much in common, however, with comparable looks and the same turbocharged V6 under the engine cover.

Palmer explained to AutoExpress that the 003 (pictured in an official sketch above) is intended to bridge the gap between the 488 competitor and the range-topping Valkyrie.

The 003 will arrive in 2021 after making its debut in 2020. First deliveries of the Valkyrie, meanwhile, will commence late next year. The last of these vehicles to arrive will be the 488 competitor, which is expected to debut in 2021 before going on sale later that year.

[Source: AutoExpress]

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