Mercedes-AMG Project One vs Aston Martin Valkyrie

It was over four years ago that we saw Porsche, Ferrari, and McLaren electrify their new top-tier offerings to produce unprecedented power with the 918 Spyder, LaFerrari, and P1 respectively. Now, Mercedes-AMG and Aston Martin are throwing their respective wrenches into the hypercar paddock.

At the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show, Mercedes finally introduced the Project One after an agonisingly long teaser campaign. It’s been hotly anticipated, but it’s not going unchallenged. Aston Martin has its own hypercar in the works, the Valkyrie, and we’re certain once both hit the road, keyboard warriors will burn everything to the ground arguing which new hypercar is better than the other.

Designs

Both the Project One and Valkyrie are road-going cars. The Project One looks like it could slip in between a Koenigsegg One:1 and a Ferrari LaFerrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and go as unnoticed - as any hypercar could. Aston's Valkyrie, on the other hand, looks like it has a cameo in Blade Runner 2049.

Both cars are designed to do more than just look good – it’s all about efficiency, aerodynamics and speed. Aston just happens to take a more extreme approach with the Valkyrie, though both have design similarities, such as cockpits sunk low into the chassis.

The Project One initially comes across more subtle with a flowing front end. On the roof is the air intake, another F1 feature. The intake morphs into a shark fin that helps lateral stability when cornering at high speed. The rear has a wide, retractable wing, a central exhaust, and large diffusers.

The Valkyrie is missing a traditional lower fascia, instead having a front wing hanging off the blade-like front end. Looking at the Aston directly from the front and rear illustrates the extreme design. It’s almost as if the cockpit is suspended between the tires. It’s stunning to look at. Out back there are dual, centre-exit exhausts and a wing.

Powertrains

Details on the Valkyrie powertrain are scarce. What we do know is that an all-new naturally-aspirated 6.5-litre V12 built in collaboration with Cosworth will sit behind the driver making over 800bhp, giving the Valkyrie a power-to-weight-ratio of 1:1. But it wouldn’t be a hypercar without some added oomph. There is an element of hybridisation in the form of a KERS (kinetic energy recovery system). This should bring total horsepower close to 1,000, with the Valkyrie aiming to weigh just 1,000 kilograms.

We know much more about the Project One. It will have over 1,000bhp and will be able to do 16 miles in an all-electric driving mode. Mercedes derived the 1.6-litre turbocharged V6 engine from its F1 car, and the Project One also packs four electric motors. One is linked to the engine for additional boost, with output to the rear wheels at over 660bhp. Another drives the electric turbocharger. Then there are two more electric motors, one at each front wheel, rated at 159bhp each that can spin up to 50,000 rpm. Lithium-ion batteries store the energy, adding about 100 kg of weight.

Interiors

The Valkyrie and Project One have function-first interiors dominated by screens, rectangular steering wheels and not much else. Both have sparse seats with the Project One having adjustable steering wheel and pedals. The Valkyrie takes its F1 roots a tad further by having the driver’s ankles higher than their hips when seated, with plans to have the seat moulded to fit the driver. There’s no word if the pedals or steering wheel will be adjustable.

Another neat feature the Valkyrie has is the screen mounted on the removable steering wheel. Ingress and egress appear to be much easier on the Project One as the Valkyrie has a massive lip to step over.

Availability and Price

Hypercars are hyper-exclusive, which means both the Valkyrie and Project One are available in super-limited quantities. Rumour is the Project One is sold out already, meaning all 275 copies of the £2.4 million hypercar already have homes. The Valkyrie will have a production run of 150 road cars and 25 track-only versions. Price is estimated at £2-3 million ($2.6M-$3.9M). Sadly, this too has already sold out.