Full Breakdown
Aston Martin Tests Updated Valkyrie Hypercar Ahead of 2027 Evo Joker Upgrade
8/20/2026, 4:22:39 AM
Updated Prototype Tested at Silverstone
On August 19, Aston Martin posted images of its Valkyrie AMR-LMH prototype on its social-media channels. The photographs show a redesigned rear end and refined bodywork elements, presented in the camouflage livery used during the car’s initial shakedown runs. The testing took place at Silverstone Circuit as part of development work for the planned 2027 “Evo joker” upgrade.
Recent Competitive Performance
The Valkyrie is in its second season of competition in both the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and the IMSA SportsCar Championship. Its best results to date are a second-place overall finish at the 2025 Petit Le Mans on the Road Atlanta circuit and a fourth-place overall finish at the 2026 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps.
Evo Joker Update Explained
An “Evo joker” is an official performance update allowed under ACO/FIA WEC and IMSA homologation rules. The provision permits manufacturers to modify a limited number of aerodynamic and mechanical components on an existing Le Mans Hypercar (LMH) design without a full redesign. Aston Martin intends to introduce this package for the 2027 racing season, targeting improvements to the car’s rear-end aerodynamics and overall mechanical balance.
Upcoming Race Calendar
The FIA WEC season resumes on September 6, 2026 with the Lone Star Le Mans (6 Hours) at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, followed by the 6 Hours of Fuji on September 27, 2026 and the 8 Hours of Bahrain on November 7, 2026. In the IMSA SportsCar Championship, the next event is a GT-only race at Virginia International Raceway on August 23, 2026.
Outlook and Significance
The Valkyrie remains the sole LMH entry powered by a naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12 engine developed with Cosworth, operating without a hybrid system. The aerodynamic revisions observed at Silverstone suggest Aston Martin is seeking to close the performance gap with hybrid-powered rivals ahead of the 2027 season, leveraging the Evo joker mechanism to remain competitive across both the WEC and IMSA series.
