Utah highway patrol deputies pulled over a rare Aston Martin Valhalla prototype after receiving complaints about the vehicle’s aggressive driving. The incident occurred near Green River, Utah, along Interstate 70—a stretch known for its open roads and sparse traffic.
The Incident
The Emery County Sheriff’s Office reported that the Aston Martin was “burning up the road,” though authorities didn’t disclose the exact speed. Multiple motorists complained about the car driving recklessly, prompting a stop by ECSO Deputy Dylan Keele and UHP Trooper Dakota Adams.
The driver explained he was conducting vehicle testing and adjustments, which aligns with the prototype’s visible high-voltage hybrid powertrain stickers. This suggests the vehicle was undergoing real-world performance evaluations.
Why It Matters
The Valhalla is a highly anticipated plug-in hybrid hypercar boasting a mid-mounted twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 and three electric motors. With a combined output of up to 1,065 horsepower, it’s capable of extreme acceleration. The fact that Aston Martin is still testing prototypes this late in development raises questions about ongoing refinements.
The police interaction appears to have been amicable. Officers reportedly instructed the driver on “proper driving etiquette” and described the experience as “fun.” Whether a citation was issued remains unconfirmed.
This incident highlights the challenges faced by automakers during high-performance vehicle testing. Public roads, while convenient, expose prototypes to scrutiny and potential legal issues if drivers exceed safe limits.
The prototype’s presence in Utah suggests Aston Martin may be conducting final adjustments in real-world conditions before full production. It’s unclear if this particular test had a specific purpose beyond general performance tuning.
Ultimately, the event serves as a reminder that even multi-million-dollar supercars must adhere to traffic laws.
