Aston Martin develops a clever top for its screamingly fast model

By Gary S. Vasilash

First there was the Aston Martin Valkyrie. Now there is the Aston Martin Valkyrie Spider.

What changed?

Well, the top.

The 1,139-hp (!) hybrid V12 powertrain is in both.

The carbon fiber structure is the same—nearly.

But the Spider has a different roof—entirely.

The roof has a carbon fiber central panel that is flanked by polycarbonate windows, which are hinged. The panel hoods to the windshield surround in the front and to the vehicle tub—modified for the topless version—at the rear. Also, the dihedral doors, front hinged, are different on the Spider compared with the non-arachnid version, so as to facilitate roof removal.

This is unusual: Aston Martin Chief Executive Officer, Tobias Moers said: “The sound of that 6.5-litre V12 engine revving to over 11,000 rpm with the roof removed is something I cannot wait to hear.”

Wouldn’t you imagine that the guy who runs the company would have heard it long before it was made public?

Incidentally: the company plans to produce 85 Valkyrie Spiders, all of which are spoken for.

Missed your moment.