Speccing the Aston Martin Valhalla: An Experience That’ll Leave You Both Broke and Smiling

A couple of weeks ago, I had the peculiar pleasure of accompanying a Supercar Driver member to spec his new Aston Martin Valhalla. Yes, the Valhalla — the £1 million hybrid hypercar that’s part spaceship, part Batmobile, and entirely designed to leave your wallet in tears. My role? Unofficial cheerleader and part-time voice of reason. Spoiler alert: there was very little reason involved.

The Journey: Smooth as Silk

We began our adventure at Aston Martin Nottingham, where we met up with our old friend — and vertically challenged sales rep — who was joining us for the day. It’s fair to say he knows his way around an Aston Martin better than most, and his enthusiasm for the brand is as big as his heart.

Our chariot for the journey was a red Aston Martin DBX707, with a black and Oxford tan interior. Now, let me tell you, this wasn’t a journey of blistering speed or hair-raising cornering. Instead, it was a smooth and refined cruise, with the DBX purring along the motorway as if it were floating on air. Comfortable seats, a whisper-quiet cabin, and just the right amount of V8 growl, the DBX707 made sure we arrived at Gaydon feeling as fresh as a daisy and about as stressed as a Labrador in front of a warm fireplace.

Arrival at Gaydon: A Moat, a Muncher, and a Masterpiece

Upon arrival at Aston Martin’s factory in Gaydon, we were directed to a personalised VIP parking bay, because of course we were. You don’t spec a £1 million car and then park it next to a rusting Nissan Micra. That would be criminal.

Crossing the moat (yes, there’s an actual moat), we walked under the iconic green arch and into the main foyer. There, we were greeted by three stunning cars:

1. A Valiant, painted in a scheme honouring the 1970 V8 “Muncher” — so named because it had a habit of chewing through its own gearbox. A self-destructive beast with charm.

2. The Valkyrie AMR Pro — a track-only monster with more wings than an airshow and the kind of aerodynamics that make your average Formula 1 car look like a box on wheels. The AMR Pro is Aston Martin’s way of saying, “Let’s see just how many G-forces we can subject a human to before they pass out”.

3. The all-new Vanquish, finished in a deep red that matched our DBX707. The rear end of this car deserves an ovation — a flowing work of art that could stop traffic in its tracks, preferably before it rear-ends the Vanquish.

The Q Room: Where Your Wallet Goes to Cry

Next, we were ushered into the fabled Q room — Aston Martin’s bespoke personalisation suite, where dreams meet reality, and reality has a six-figure price tag.

The room itself was a masterpiece. Paint and material samples lined one wall, a beautifully crafted wooden table sat in the centre, and an ultra-high-definition screen on the opposite wall displayed the Valhalla in all its glory. Every spec tweak appeared instantly on the screen, down to the individual strands of seat stitching. You could change colours, trims, and wheels in seconds, and each choice seemed to come with a whispered reminder that Aston Martin does not do cheap.

Want a custom paint colour? That’ll be the cost of a new hatchback. Fancy magnesium wheels? Hope you weren’t planning on sending your kids to university. But hey, when you’re speccing a Valhalla, this is all part of the fun.

A Factory Tour and a Brush with F1 History

To help us decide between a few paint options, the team offered us a private tour of the factory to see the colours on real cars. On the way, I spotted the actual Vantage safety car used in the infamous 2021 Abu Dhabi F1 finale. Sitting in it felt like stepping into history — controversial, divisive history, but history nonetheless.

The factory tour was jaw-dropping. The calm efficiency of the production line was a revelation. No shouting, no frantic movement, just a serene focus on excellence. Each workstation had an emergency stop button, and workers were actively encouraged to use it if they spotted a flaw. This wasn’t a race to churn out cars; it was a carefully orchestrated dance of precision and craftsmanship.

We saw the production lines for the DB12, Vantage, and Vanquish, as well as some top-secret projects that I’m probably not supposed to mention. But let me just say, if you think Aston Martin’s current lineup is impressive, you’re in for a treat in the coming years.

Finishing Touches and Fine Dining

After the tour, we returned to the Q room, where a lovely lunch awaited us. Once we’d refuelled, we got back to the task at hand, finalising the Valhalla spec. Among the finishing touches were the Ultrafine Wings Badge and Machined Titanium Script — details that might seem trivial but take the car to a whole new level of luxury.

The Grand Finale

As we prepared to leave, Aston Martin presented us with three stunning prints of the car we’d specced, along with a beautifully wrapped gift. It was the perfect ending to a day that had been nothing short of spectacular.

Driving back home in the DBX707, I couldn’t help but reflect on the experience. Aston Martin managed to turn what could have been a simple spec session into a day of excitement, wonder, and indulgence. They didn’t just sell a car; they sold a story, an experience, and a little piece of their heritage.

I’ll admit, I’ve never been the biggest Aston Martin fan. But after that day, I finally got it. Aston Martin doesn’t just build cars — they craft dreams, memories, and a love for the brand that stays with you long after the engine is switched off. The Valhalla? It’s going to be one hell of a dream come true.

Written by: Paul Pearce