+++ ASTON MARTIN ’s long-awaited Valhalla supercar will enter production in just a few months with a hefty power advantage over its main rivals. The firm has released full production specifications for its new mid-engined plug-in hybrid ahead of customer deliveries beginning in the second half of 2025, revealing that it has more power than first promised and the highest torque figure of any Aston Martin model yet. Early details pegged the Mercedes-sourced hybrid V8’s output at 1.000 hp, but with homologation now complete, Aston has bumped that figure to 1.090 hp to make it more powerful than the Lamborghini Temerario, McLaren Artura and Ferrari 296 GTB. It’s only very slightly outpunched by the 1.150 hp output of Aston’s V12 Valkyrie flagship. The 4.0-litre AMG flat-plane-crank V8 contributes some 838 hp of that total figure, supplemented by 252 hp from a trio of electric motors: 1 radial-flux devices on the front axle and 1 starter-generator in the 8-speed automatic gearbox. All up, the powertrain puts out a combined 1.100 nM of torque; far more than the Valkyrie and well clear of even the likes of the V12 Vulcan track car and the new Vanquish GT. Officially, the Valhalla will get from 0-100 kph in just 2.5 seconds and top out at an electronically limited 346 kph, making it one of the quickest combustion cars on sale. Just 999 examples of the Valhalla will be built, priced from €1.350.000 in the Netherlands, although Aston expects “a huge number” of cars to go through its Q personalisation programme, so some will cost well in excess of that figure. Notably, the Valhalla, unlike the 2019 concept which preceded it, is not powered by a bespoke, Aston Martin-developed V6, as was originally planned. Instead, the Valhalla follows the Aston Martin Vantage in adopting a powertrain supplied by technical partner Mercedes-AMG, specifically the performance division’s twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8, which revs to 7.200 rpm and drives the rear axle through an all-new bespoke 8-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. Like AMG’s old GT Black Series, the Valhalla’s V8 features a flat-plane crank and is said to be “the most advanced, responsive and highest-performing V8 engine ever fitted to an Aston Martin”. It also breathes through a lightweight exhaust system that exits through the top of the rear deck and contains adjustable flaps that give “an authentic Aston Martin sound character”. Like the Ferrari SF90, the Valhalla uses only its front electric motors to drive in EV mode, which it can do for 13 km and at speeds of up to 130 kph, but in normal driving situations, electric power is split across both axles as needed to supplement the V8’s output. It reverses exclusively in electric mode, too, saving weight by negating the need for a conventional reverse gear in the 8-speed DCT, which has been fitted with an electronic limited-slip differential to improve traction and agility and can offer up 2 gears at once to allow the EV and combustion motors to operate in tandem. Housing the all-new powertrain is a bespoke carbonfibre tub that gives “maximum stiffness with minimum weight penalty”. A dry weight of just 1.655 kg gives a power-to-weight ratio of 650 hp per tonne, while aerodynamic-enhancing bodywork elements (including huge venturi channels underneath and an active front splitter and rear wing) inspired by the Valkyrie’s F1-style set-up are claimed to generate 600 kg of downforce at 240 kph. Pushrod suspension features at the front and a multi-link set-up at the rear, with dampers and springs mounted inboard to reduce unsprung mass, The entire set-up is stiffened and “dramatically” lowered in Track mode and can be raised at low speed to clear speed bumps. By using more subtle bodywork elements to enhance downforce, Aston’s designers were given free rein for the overall silhouette, without the need for such dramatic wings, intakes and outlets as on the Valkyrie. The design is much cleaner, more overtly road-focused and extensively altered from that of the concept. The prominent roof scoop, forward-hinged dihedral doors, swooping rear deck and one-piece rear wing remain, but a completely new treatment for the front, rear and side bring the supercar into line with its more mainstream siblings. A wraparound version of Aston’s trademark grille features at the front, for example, below larger, rounder matrix led headlights, while the rear diffuser has been heavily toned down for a more production-friendly set-up. There is a more angular-looking side skirt, too, sharper side vent designs and, obviously, wing mirrors, which were absent from the show car. The production-spec wheels, meanwhile, are 20 inch in diameter at the front and 21 inch at the rear and wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tyres. Inside the Valhalla offers a “pared back cockpit design with clear, simple ergonomics unashamedly focused around the driver”, Aston Martin said, complete with a squared steering wheel (near-identical to the Valkyrie’s) and a pair of screens for the gauges and infotainment. It’s more spacious and civilised than its sibling, though, with additions such as an infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, dual-zone airconditioning, a rear-view camera and a raft of advanced driver aids strengthening its on-road credentials. Chief creative officer Marek Reichman explained how the Valhalla’s different positioning from the Valkyrie necessitated a unique design approach: “When we created the Valhalla concept, we were keen to emphasise the design legacy of the Valkyrie, and that intent remains unchanged, but the execution has evolved considerably in order to reach production of this all-new car. Though the legacy of the Valkyrie is clear, the Valhalla is now a more mature, fully resolved piece of design”. +++
+++ In a stunning retreat, GENERAL MOTORS ’ Cruise self-driving car unit will exit the robotaxi business, ending a tumultuous endeavor that had already proven costly and full of reputational pitfalls. GM said it will no longer fund robotaxi development work “given the considerable time and resources that would be needed to scale the business, along with an increasingly competitive robotaxi market”. Cruise had emerged intact after an earlier shakeout among autonomous-driving companies and was resuming operations after an incident last year in which one of its cars dragged and injured a pedestrian. To drop the division now may have significant implications for GM Chief Executive Officer Mary Barra. +++
+++ If you like understated luxury vehicles, prepare to turn your nose in disgust as the MERCEDES-MAYBACH GLS is getting a gaudy makeover. While the SUV wasn’t exactly a wallflower to begin with, the facelifted model is practically shouting ‘Look at me, I’m a Mercedes’. The new attitude is exemplified by redesigned headlights, which have stacked star graphics at the outside edges. These are echoed out back by new taillights, which also incorporate a star motif. Additional changes are limited, but we can expect a modified front fascia to accommodate the larger headlights. The model also appears to have a revised grille and rear bumper, but it’s hard to be certain with the camouflage. While spy photographers didn’t get a look inside, previous images have shown the GLS will be equipped with an all-new widescreen display that appears to span the width of the interior. This has become a common theme among 3-row luxury SUVs as the Cadillac Escalade has a 55-inch display, while the Lincoln Navigator has a 48-inch screen. Of course, the Mercedes-Maybach GLS is more focused on luxury as the SUV has a 4- or 5-seat interior as well as a wood-trimmed partition that separates the cabin from the luggage compartment. Customers can also get folding rear tables, a rear refrigerator, and silver-plated champagne flutes. Under the hood, we can expect a familiar twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 with mild hybrid technology. It enables the current model to produce 558 hp and 729 Nm of torque. This allows for a 0-100 kph time of 4.9 seconds. +++
+++ One of Europe ’s few electric estate cars will disappear from sale next year following the decision not to replace the MG 5 . The British brand said it has enough stock to see it into early 2025, but a combination of newer models has deemed the 5 surplus to requirements. “At the moment there are no plans to directly replace the MG 5”. MG head of product and planning David Allison told: “As soon as the MG 4 came out, it killed the MG 5. At the time we felt an electric estate was what people wanted, but a good-value electric car, the MG 4, trumps everything”. He said between the MG 4 and the forthcoming replacement for the ZS EV based on the Chinese ES 5, the brand has enough coverage for buyers. The current electric ZS is also on run-out, with the stock already being the last batch to ship ahead of the new car’s spring arrival. A second new electric MG SUV will also arrive during 2025: the second generation Marvel R. Allison also had bad news for anyone attracted to the GTS coupé version of the Cyberster 2-seater, which was revealed at the Goodwood Festival of Speed earlier this year. “I would love to do it, and I genuinely don’t think that car would get in the way of Cyberster if we sold it”, he said. “But it’s not in the portfolio plan, although never say never”. +++
+++ 2 months after PORSCHE issued a widespread recall of 2020-2024 Taycan models across the United States for a battery defect, a class action lawsuit has been filed against the automaker and is seeking a jury trial in relation to the battery fault. The lawsuit, filed by Gibbs Law Group, names plaintiff Miodrag Kukrika and alleges Porsche has failed to disclose or adequately repair a “dangerous and widespread” defect in the EV’s battery pack. The law group are seeking to represent a class of owners and lessees of impacted Taycan models and claims Porsche has known about the issue since at least February 2020 after a vehicle fire at a home in Florida. “Porsche investigated the incident and since then, has learned about several other fires and about numerous owner complaints about the Battery Defect”, the class action states. In the recall notice issued in early October, Porsche said the high-voltage batteries of certain Taycans could short circuit, leading to fires. Owners have been asked to cap charging of their vehicles to 80% until early 2025, when an on-board diagnostic system will be installed to detect battery module anomalies. Vehicles shown to have battery faults will have their packs replaced. This class action lawsuit says the automaker hasn’t addressed the “root cause of the defect” and should repair or replace all of the defective batteries. Kukrika alleges Porsche is guilty of fraudulent concealment, omission, breach of the implied warranty of merchantability and negligent misrepresentation / omission. He is seeking a jury trial and has requested injunctive relief alongside an award of punitive, compensatory, treble, and exemplary damages for all class members. “The Battery Defect presents an unreasonable safety risk to drivers and passengers of the Class Vehicles and to people in residential homes and other structures where the vehicles are parked or near”, the lawsuit adds. The class action was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia on November 29. +++
+++ After years of speculation, new reports from Japan suggest that SUBARU ’s electric crossover, the Solterra, could finally get the long-rumoured STI version next year. Set to coincide with the mid-lifecycle update of the electric crossover, this performance-focused variant could come with several upgrades, though it’s more likely to focus on handling than sheer horsepower. The idea of a performance Solterra isn’t purely wishful thinking. Subaru unveiled an STI concept alongside the supercar-like STI E-RA study at the 2022 Tokyo Auto Salon, though it withheld details on specifications. At the time, rumours swirled that the production model would hit the market by the summer of 2024. But as the months went by with no STI news, that timeline began to look increasingly optimistic. Fast forward to today, and it is now claimed that the performance-focused Solterra will arrive in 2025, as part of a facelift that will focus on improving the EV’s e-TNGA underpinnings. While the new STI trim is expected to maintain the same dual electric motors, power and torque are likely to get a boost through software tuning. Even if a significant horsepower increase seems unlikely, the report suggests that Subaru is prioritizing improvements to the Solterra STI’s handling. The goal appears to be a more engaging driving experience, complemented by sportier design elements: think a sharper body kit and wheels that echo the concept’s flair. At the very least, the Solterra STI should look the part, even if it doesn’t fully meet performance expectations. Subaru’s electric twin, the Toyota BZ4x, is also expected to undergo a facelift in 2025, making me wonder if it could get a similarly sporty trim borrowing cues from the GR Sport concept from 2022. A few years ago, the BZ lineup’s chief engineer mentioned discussions with Gazoo Racing about a more powerful bZ4x, though the specifics were never disclosed. +++
+++ VOLKSWAGEN staff has downed tools at 9 German sites which are under threat after workers said management had one last chance to compromise or risk strikes on a scale not previously seen by the German carmaker, in a standoff over wage cuts and plant closures. Volkswagen and its unions held talks on Monday that both sides described as ‘constructive’. In more Volkswagen news, Brazilian labour prosecutors charged the German carmaker’s local unit with subjecting farm workers to conditions akin to slavery from 1974 to 1986 and are seeking 165 million reais ($27.5 million) in damages. Volkswagen Brazil said in a statement it had not been formally notified of the charges yet. +++
+++ Chinese smartphone giant XIAOMI has been making headlines recently with its SU7 and subsequent Nurburgring lap time record, but now it’s branching out into the lucrative SUV genre with this – the YU7. Leaked early on Chinese social media site Weibo, the YU7 borrows plenty of stylistic elements from the SU7, suggesting the brand will have a consistent family face for it’s model range.
Technical details are yet to be announced, but the car should have a shared platform with the SU7, utilising the same powertrain and battery options as its saloon sibling in the process. That would mean battery sizes of 94.3 kWh and 101 kWh. It seems unlikely the YU7 would get the same 73.6 kWh and single-motor combination that features on the base SU7 given its SUV body. The 101 kWh battery could be used to give the YU7 a range of over 650 km, considering the SU7’s predicted range sits at 600 km. An image from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology’s official website suggested that the YU7 would receive a dual-motor powertrain with a 306 hp front to rear split for a combined output of 700 hp. The exterior of the YU7 shares a few design traits with the SU7. These include the headlight cluster, which incorporates a sleek horizontal LED strip, curved surfacing on the body, an air outlet behind the front wheel and a wraparound rear light bar.
The Chinese electric car measures 4.999 mm in length, 1.996 mm in width and 1600mm in height – making it longer and wider than the Tesla Model Y, but the same height as its American counterpart. We’re yet to see inside the YU7, but its likely to get a similar cabin arrangement to the SU7. That would mean a rather minimalist set up with a 16.1-inch main touchscreen, displays for rear passengers and a huge, canvassing panoramic roof. +++