Mid Engine Aston Martin '003' Hypercar Coming in 2021

A mid-engine Aston Martin hypercar will arrive in 2021 with a hybrid powertrain, active aerodynamics and active suspension.

The new mid-engine car, which is being called the ‘003’ for now, will slot underneath the forthcoming Valkyrie in Aston Martin’s lineup. Compared to the Valkyrie, the 003 will be more suited to road use with a comfier ride and more space for luggage.

Aston says the vehicle will be “built around a lightweight structure and powered by a turbocharged petrol-electric hybrid engine” which will combine with active aerodynamics and active suspension for “outstanding levels of downforce in a road-legal car,” and “next-level precision, control and driver connection.” The vehicle will be limited to just 500 units and will be built in both left- and right-hand drive configurations.

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“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 descendent that would also set new standards within its own area of the hypercar market, creating a bloodline of highly specialised, limited production machines that can exist in parallel with Aston Martin’s series production models,” said Aston Martin boss Andy Palmer. “I’m thrilled to announce that this car is the Project ‘003’, and our next step into a dynamic and exacting arena.”

According to an Autocar report, the 003 will debut as a race car before the production version is shown. The British automaker hopes to race the car at Le Mans in 2020, so we’ll likely see this alleged race version in late 2019 or early 2020. Autocar also says the vehicle is referred to as ‘Son of Valkyrie’ by Aston engineers due to the technology trickle down from the Valkyrie’s development.

Expect more information on the Aston Martin 003 to slowly trickle out between now and its arrival in three years or so.

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