Valkyrie

Segment
Coupe

Designers from Aston Martin Lagonda and Airbus Corporate Helicopters have spent the past 12 months on a secret project that's set to be revealed to the world in Q1 2020. The event will be at Courchevel, in the French Alps on January 3, next month.

Is it a flying Aston Martin Valkyrie? We can only hope. But so far, too little is known to be sure.

All we understand for now is that it will be defined as a helicopter. The only major clue is the name of the teaser video, which has the words "ACH130AM TEASER" in the title. This likely means that this design collaboration will be based off the stalwart Airbus H130 helicopter, an aircraft routinely used for "sightseeing services, charter operators, and emergency medical services, among others." The H130 comes in six- or seven-passenger configurations.

"Applying our own automotive design principles in the aerospace world is a fascinating challenge and one that we are very much enjoying," said Aston Martin Lagonda Vice President and Chief Creative Officer, Marek Reichman. "I'm looking forward to the reveal in the New Year so we can show everyone what we have accomplished together."

Neither brand is unfamiliar to design collaboration. For example, Airbus once collaborated with France's Peugeot for the H130 helicopter. Meanwhile, Aston Martin designers showed off what they can do when tasked to pen a boat with the assistance of Mulder Design and Quintessence Yachts. Aston Martin designers have also rendered a luxury submarine.

"This is a bold cooperation which corresponds to our tradition of experimenting with new design approaches, the result is a unique creation of breathtaking design accomplishment and beauty," said Frédéric Lemos, Head of Airbus Corporate Helicopters.

Airbus Corporate Helicopters is the global market leader in the private and business aviation (PBA) sector with more than 1,800 aircraft fielded in 130 countries and a market share in excess of 50%. Aston Martin, meanwhile, has a future full of opportunity. The upcoming launch of the new DBX crossover is expected to line the coffers of the storied British automaker which has a history of an unsettling balance sheet. At the same time, Aston Martin has been reportedly looking to hold an IPO, while Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll is rumored to have taken interest in acquiring the company outright.