Aston Martin harnesses Lucid to go electric – eight new cars by 2026

The future is here: There will be an electric version of every Aston Martin by 2026. The plan for these eight new models is being spearheaded by the Valhalla that goes on sale at the end of 2023.

The stunning Valhalla plug-in hybrid has 1000hp and this mid-engined supercar uses technology from the limited-edition Valkyrie hypercar. It comes with an 800hp twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 petrol engine coupled to a 204hp electric motor.

The Valhalla scorches from 0-62mph in 2.5 seconds and hits a top speed of 217mph. However, only a lucky few will get to experience this as Aston Martin is planning to build just 999 Valhallas.

Before then, the new £185,000 DB12 will be on sale with a petrol-only 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 with 680hp. The DB is likely to be the last petrol-only Aston Martin and it will be followed by an open-top Volante model and hybrid versions.

Aston Martin is also working on replacements for the Vantage and DBS models, with coupe and convertible versions for both.

The first full electric Aston Martin will arrive in 2025, though fans will have to wait with bated breath as the British luxury sports car maker is yet to confirm what that car will be. However, it will use an all-new platform to underpin a range of new sports cars, GTs, SUVs, and hypercars as part of a £2 billion investment in EV technology.

Company boss Lawrence Stroll said: “We will use world-class technologies to differentiate the driving experience aligned to our ultra-luxury, high performance strategy.”

For its EV power, Aston Martin has looked further afield: it’s chosen Californian brand Lucid over its European cousin Mercedes. Lucid, based in Newark, is an electric car maker that already sells its Air model in the US. With up to 1050hp, the Air is capable of 0-60mph in less than two seconds, as well as having a driving range of up to 516 miles. This bodes well for Aston Martin’s new cars to live up to the British company’s claim it has invented a new type of Super Tourer range of sports cars.

Roberto Fedeli, Chief Technology Officer at Aston Martin, added: “The agreement with Lucid lets us create a bespoke battery electric vehicle platform suitable for all future Aston Martins. It will allow us to expand the thrilling performance and intense driving experience we know that our customers love and expect from Aston Martin.’

To get the best from an EV sports car’s performance, Aston Martin is working to maximise every element of design for its new cars. Active aerodynamics will help the cars cut through the air more efficiently and the tyres will use the Pirelli Cyber Tyre system of sensors to accurately calculate the real-world driving range of the EV powertrain.

It’s the end of an era for Aston Martin, as they wave goodbye to petrol power and usher in a new age. Will it’s Lucid-backed EV power retain Aston Martin’s credentials as a leading Britain’s luxury sports car? Only time will tell.