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Force India: 'Door still open' for Aston Martin partnership

Force India says a partnership that would bring Aston Martin back to Formula 1 remains a possibility for the future, despite talks last year failing to produce a deal. The Silverstone-based outfit had hoped to tie up a partnership with the British sportscar manufacturer for 2016, but in the end the discussions fell through. However, while the matter is off the table for this year, Force India's COO Otmar Szafnauer says his outfit is still hoping that it can resurrect the idea and bring Aston Martin on board for 2017. "I don't think the answer is no," Szafnauer told Motorsport.com. "It was just for 2016 we won't be collaborating. But we will have further discussions later on with Aston to see if there is a possibility for future years." Rules key Szafnauer said that the talks with Aston Martin had been "serious", but thinks that key to completing an agreement will be in F1 delivering a platform of rules that entices the manufacturer in. "For 2017 there is still a possibility and the door is still open," he said. "We will reconvene again and see if there is any possibility for the future. "There were just some decision-making points that were unknown at that time. And they just needed more time to see what the sport was doing about the engine and some other things. "They need to have some of those answers before they can make that decision of entering Formula 1 or not. And only time would give them those answers." When asked if finalized 2017 regulations would be a help, he said: "Well, that's one of the things. "So when those 2017 regulations are sorted out, everybody knows and then people can make decisions like: 'Do I like them or not?' "But if you're trying to guess what those are, than people say: 'Oh, let me wait and see.' That is exactly one of the reasons. To understand what the regulations are going to be in 2017." Related Video: This article by Jonathan Noble originally appeared on Motorsport.com, the world's leader in auto racing news, photos and video.

Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR Pro | Screaming Viking from the Valhalla of speed

This summer, two years after Aston Martin debuted the 800-horsepower, track-only Vulcan, the English carmaker unveiled the harder, faster, more-aero-focused Vulcan AMR Pro. We still haven't seen the final version of the road-ready Valkyrie, but as of right now we know Aston Martin's 's how-fast-can-you-go roadworthy jewel will get a track-only Valkyrie AMR Pro flavor. Detailed specifics will need to wait, but we're told to expect lap times rivaling "recent Formula One cars." For perspective, insider trading on the Valkyrie road car suggests 1,130 horsepower and a 2,270-pound curb weight. A naturally aspirated, 6.5-liter V12 takes credit for most of those horses, the remainder coming from a Rimac-developed, F1-style kinetic energy recovery system. Yes, that Rimac. The Valkyrie AMR Pro will send owners to a g-force-induced Valhalla, having more power, less weight, and "significantly increased downforce." The designers used a lighter grade of carbon fiber, replaced the windscreen and side windows with polycarbonate, traded for a lighter, molded racing seat, threw out the infotainment system, installed carbon fiber wishbones on the new suspension uprights, and bolted on smaller, 18-inch wheels that will fit the same Michelin tires used on LMP1 cars. Beyond larger front and rear wings and new programming for the active aerodynamics, Adrian Newey's team tweaked every aero surface. Powering all that with a lustier, remapped 6.5-liter V12, Red Bull simulations show the Valkyrie AMR Pro capable of close to 250 miles per hour. Sustained cornering forces should hit 3.3g. Thanks to F1-style carbon brakes, deceleration force tops 3.5g. Here's more perspective: the Telegraph spoke to Red Bull F1 in 2010 about in-car g-forces, and wrote, "Breath control is crucial — you cannot breathe freely above 3g because to do so would expose you to the risk of passing out." Since those numbers hint at something like ground-based flying, Aston Martin has sensibly organized a ground-based flight school. Owners will get "an intensive and comprehensive driver development program" that takes advantage of the same facilities and simulator used by Aston Martin Red Bull Racing F1. Fitness training comes with it. If you haven't signed the paperwork for a Valkyrie AMR Pro, you're too late. Twenty-five examples — one more than the Vulcan AMR Pro — will be produced, with expected delivery in 2020, and all are sold. Related Video:

Aston Martin announces Rapide E as its first all-electric model

Aston Martin has announced official specifications for its first battery-electric model, which will be the Rapide E. Developed together with Williams Advanced Engineering, the 2019 Rapide E will have two electric motors good for a total of 610 horsepower and 700 pound-feet of torque. The Rapide E four-door, which will be produced in a limited run of 155 units, will be good for 155 mph. Its WLTP range target is said to be over 200 miles, and an hour of charging is good for 185 miles, using a regular 400-volt 50kW charger. Aston says the car's 800V battery system can also be charged with a 100kW+ charger at a rate of over 5 miles per minute. The electric powertrain is where the Rapide S's six-liter V12, gearbox and fuel tank would normally reside, to keep weight distribution in check; using composite materials and lightweight alloys, Aston has been able to meet the Rapide E's weight targets. To beat the aerodynamics of the Rapide S and to make it as silent as possible, both the car's exterior and underbody have been given a makeover from an EV development viewpoint and the low-rolling-resistance Pirelli P-Zero tires even feature noise-canceling foam inside them. As Aston is still in the business of making sports cars, the Rapide E's performance must be up to par: It reaches 60 mph in less than 4 seconds, and the 50-70 mph overtaking time is just 1.5 seconds. Aston says these figures can also be reached with a battery that is less than fully charged – the target is for "maximum performance on-demand throughout majority of the battery state of charge window," to put it succinctly. Aston's benchmark is that the Rapide E is capable of a full Nurburgring lap without any derating of the battery, with the electric version able to give a hassle-free performance expected of an internal combustion car. Perhaps that is a veiled reference to Teslas that have experienced overheating problems in track use. Aston Martin also states that it has strived to keep the Rapide E feeling like an Aston Martin, especially compared to the V12-engined Rapide S sibling. For Aston, this has meant chassis and electric powertrain tuning to retain the Rapide S's handling characteristics and "feel," including using a limited-slip differential through which the twin electric motors deliver their power — and keeping an eye on the springs, dampers and software integration to keep the car from feeling ponderous or clunky.