Rich man's problem, owner suing Aston Martin because engine too loud

[SGCM928]

Firstly, I have to thanks my father and mother, for not being rich, else I might have langared with an ambulance when my Aston Martin sounds too loud. 🤣

@Jamesc want to buy one for your mil? You in used car trade, sure know how to switch off the headphone system right?

 

He Bought A $3.5M Aston Martin And Almost Hit An Ambulance Because It Was Too Loud. Now He’s Suing (https://www.carscoops.com/2025/06/he-bought-a-3-5m-aston-martin-and-almost-hit-an-ambulance-because-it-was-too-loud-now-hes-suing/)

• Aston Martin’s hypercar churns out 1,160 hp thanks to a hybridized naturally aspirated V12.
• The engine is so loud, drivers must wear special headphones that transmit environment’s noise.
• However, in one car that system failed almost causing an accident, and the owner is now suing.

Speaking to German magazine Handelsblatt under the pseudonym “Kunze,” the disgruntled owner revealed he purchased the hypercar for 3 million euros ($3.46 million at current exchange rates) in February 2022, no doubt lured by its aggressive shape, extraordinary performance, racecar-like interior and the promise of an experience that gets as close to racing while being street-legal and cruising down the road.

Unfortunately, Herr Kunze didn’t get to savior it. Many problems were present right off the bat, but what broke the camel’s back and made him sue Aston Martin was the fact that he almost crashed into an ambulance. No, according to him, he wasn’t being reckless; the car itself malfunctioned or, specifically, one of its safety features did.

Because the Cosworth-developed V12, which pumps out around 1,000 hp (making it the most powerful naturally aspirated production engine ever), redlines at a staggering 11,000 rpm, and is loud enough to make your ears beg for mercy, every Valkyrie comes with special headphones. These headphones are connected to external microphones and must be worn by the driver at all times, ensuring they stay aware of their surroundings while revving the beast.

On August 24, 2024, the system allegedly failed and Kunze nearly crashed into an ambulance despite the latter sounding its horn. “It was only thanks to the quick reaction and driving skills of the ambulance driver that a fatal accident was avoided,” the Aston’s driver said. A lawsuit followed shortly after and, as noted by Handelsblatt, his lawyer, Marco Rogert, claims that Kunze hasn’t dared drive his Aston since.

This wasn’t an isolated incident, though; as stated in the lawsuit, issues began right after the hypercar was delivered. After a few hundred miles, all sorts of warning lights started flashing and the high-voltage system failed. Thus, instead of roaming the Autobahn, the Valkyrie was transported to the service center to get fixed.

“I’m fed up with Aston Martin,” he told the Aachen Regional Court, simply because his Valkyrie had more defects “than all my other cars combined.” And judging by the amount he paid for the Aston, he must be able to afford quite a few in his garage.

He asked for a reversal of the purchase, to which Aston Martin simply said no, insisting that it had delivered a “flawless vehicle”. Its owner didn’t think as much though: apart from the hybrid system, the Valkyrie’s “Rocket Locker”, a system that stops the hydraulic suspension from sinking when power is cut off was removed without Kunze being informed, damaging the car. Add other damages that occurred during transport to the workshop, and it’s easy to see why he wanted Aston to take back the Valkyrie.

On its part, the British brand claims that even if it agreed to take the car back, it would charge Kunze €55,000 ($63,400) for the 271 miles (441 kilometers) the Valkyrie had been driven. It doesn’t take a calculator to see that each mile is costing a small fortune, no matter how deep your pockets are.

Apparently, Aston is cool with that as it expects its clients to not drive its hypercar: “Most owners drive around 300, and certainly no more than 1,000 kilometers per year,” is said, according to the German outlet Handelsblatt. While this may indeed be true for most, a brand deadpanning that you aren’t supposed to drive the car you paid millions for is absurd, if not outright cynical.

The company also noted that driving a super sports car for extended periods can rack up additional costs. As an example, they pointed out that after 50,000 kilometers (31,000 miles), the “entire transmission” will need replacing.

 

Reading the last sentence, it's no wonder the owner wanted Aston Martin to take back the car with a full refund. 🥶

[Jamesc]

Obviously Not his fault. 

The problem with people today.

Every thing that's goes wrong is Other people fault, not my fault.

[Jamesc]

Oh my MIL is a Mercedes fan.

So I got her this. 

 

 

 

 

 

On 6/18/2025 at 1:17 PM, SGCM928 said:

Firstly, I have to thanks my father and mother, for not being super rich, else I might have langared with an ambulance when my Aston Martin sounds too loud. 🤣

@Jamesc want to buy one for your mil? You in used car trade, sure know how to switch off the headphone system right?

 

He Bought A $3.5M Aston Martin And Almost Hit An Ambulance Because It Was Too Loud. Now He’s Suing (https://www.carscoops.com/2025/06/he-bought-a-3-5m-aston-martin-and-almost-hit-an-ambulance-because-it-was-too-loud-now-hes-suing/)

• Aston Martin’s hypercar churns out 1,160 hp thanks to a hybridized naturally aspirated V12.
• The engine is so loud, drivers must wear special headphones that transmit environment’s noise.
• However, in one car that system failed almost causing an accident, and the owner is now suing.

Speaking to German magazine Handelsblatt under the pseudonym “Kunze,” the disgruntled owner revealed he purchased the hypercar for 3 million euros ($3.46 million at current exchange rates) in February 2022, no doubt lured by its aggressive shape, extraordinary performance, racecar-like interior and the promise of an experience that gets as close to racing while being street-legal and cruising down the road.

Unfortunately, Herr Kunze didn’t get to savior it. Many problems were present right off the bat, but what broke the camel’s back and made him sue Aston Martin was the fact that he almost crashed into an ambulance. No, according to him, he wasn’t being reckless; the car itself malfunctioned or, specifically, one of its safety features did.

Because the Cosworth-developed V12, which pumps out around 1,000 hp (making it the most powerful naturally aspirated production engine ever), redlines at a staggering 11,000 rpm, and is loud enough to make your ears beg for mercy, every Valkyrie comes with special headphones. These headphones are connected to external microphones and must be worn by the driver at all times, ensuring they stay aware of their surroundings while revving the beast.

On August 24, 2024, the system allegedly failed and Kunze nearly crashed into an ambulance despite the latter sounding its horn. “It was only thanks to the quick reaction and driving skills of the ambulance driver that a fatal accident was avoided,” the Aston’s driver said. A lawsuit followed shortly after and, as noted by Handelsblatt, his lawyer, Marco Rogert, claims that Kunze hasn’t dared drive his Aston since.

This wasn’t an isolated incident, though; as stated in the lawsuit, issues began right after the hypercar was delivered. After a few hundred miles, all sorts of warning lights started flashing and the high-voltage system failed. Thus, instead of roaming the Autobahn, the Valkyrie was transported to the service center to get fixed.

“I’m fed up with Aston Martin,” he told the Aachen Regional Court, simply because his Valkyrie had more defects “than all my other cars combined.” And judging by the amount he paid for the Aston, he must be able to afford quite a few in his garage.

He asked for a reversal of the purchase, to which Aston Martin simply said no, insisting that it had delivered a “flawless vehicle”. Its owner didn’t think as much though: apart from the hybrid system, the Valkyrie’s “Rocket Locker”, a system that stops the hydraulic suspension from sinking when power is cut off was removed without Kunze being informed, damaging the car. Add other damages that occurred during transport to the workshop, and it’s easy to see why he wanted Aston to take back the Valkyrie.

On its part, the British brand claims that even if it agreed to take the car back, it would charge Kunze €55,000 ($63,400) for the 271 miles (441 kilometers) the Valkyrie had been driven. It doesn’t take a calculator to see that each mile is costing a small fortune, no matter how deep your pockets are.

Apparently, Aston is cool with that as it expects its clients to not drive its hypercar: “Most owners drive around 300, and certainly no more than 1,000 kilometers per year,” is said, according to the German outlet Handelsblatt. While this may indeed be true for most, a brand deadpanning that you aren’t supposed to drive the car you paid millions for is absurd, if not outright cynical.

The company also noted that driving a super sports car for extended periods can rack up additional costs. As an example, they pointed out that after 50,000 kilometers (31,000 miles), the “entire transmission” will need replacing.

 

Reading the last sentence, it's no wonder the owner wanted Aston Martin to take back the car with a full refund. 🥶

 

[Jamesc]

Poor owner how could you expect to see an ambulance. 

Big thing with colourful flashing lights.

Should have sued the ambulance for being so hard to see.

[Jamesc]

Rich people doesn't mean smart.

So many proven cases. 

[Jamesc]

This should solve his problem.

Don't say I never help. 

 

Edited June 18 by Jamesc

[Mkl22]

Normal for British trash to have failures like this. 🤣

[Carbon82]

I am curious how loud the engine could be and I am shocked to read that the sound level is 126 dB, which is equivalent to that of a plane engine!

With reference to the Workplace Safety and Health (Noise) Regulations, the max exposure duration per day is 2 second, any longer could lead to NID (Noise Induced Deafness).

The driver may be protected by the complex noise system but what about the other road users? I wonder how can this car be street legal in this case...

[Gnahp]

On 6/18/2025 at 7:18 PM, Carbon82 said:

I am curious how loud the engine could be and I am shocked to read that the sound level is 126 dB, which is equivalent to that of a plane engine!

With reference to the Workplace Safety and Health (Noise) Regulations, the max exposure duration per day is 2 second, any longer could lead to NID (Noise Induced Deafness).

The driver may be protected by the complex noise system but what about the other road users? I wonder how can this car be street legal in this case...

I think the carbon fiber chassis/cabin acts like a sound box, which accentuate the noise/sound

like I keep you inside the guitar and play, you sure ki siao one

[inlinesix]

On 6/18/2025 at 7:18 PM, Carbon82 said:

I am curious how loud the engine could be and I am shocked to read that the sound level is 126 dB, which is equivalent to that of a plane engine!

With reference to the Workplace Safety and Health (Noise) Regulations, the max exposure duration per day is 2 second, any longer could lead to NID (Noise Induced Deafness).

The driver may be protected by the complex noise system but what about the other road users? I wonder how can this car be street legal in this case...

The driver and passenger are protected by headphones.

Similar to ppl in F1 pit.

EU has strict noise emissions of 76db.

126db likely during high revving. 

[Gnahp]

I got a legitimate question

if I have a noisy car

and I put on one of those noise cancelling earmuffs or ear buds when driving

no music no phone call, just muffling 

is it illegal in Singapore?

[Kxbc]

one other unique selling point not mentioned by aston martin - loud engine and earphones supposed to drown out naggy spouse.

[Gnahp]

On 6/18/2025 at 9:19 PM, Kxbc said:

one other unique selling point not mentioned by aston martin - loud engine and earphones supposed to drown out naggy spouse.

wait got intercom function

loud and clear in your ears, stereo some more

[Xers007]

if me i just park outside their showroom and bat it everyday...

[SGCM928]

On 6/18/2025 at 7:18 PM, Carbon82 said:

I am curious how loud the engine could be and I am shocked to read that the sound level is 126 dB, which is equivalent to that of a plane engine!

With reference to the Workplace Safety and Health (Noise) Regulations, the max exposure duration per day is 2 second, any longer could lead to NID (Noise Induced Deafness).

The driver may be protected by the complex noise system but what about the other road users? I wonder how can this car be street legal in this case...

Good point.

I googled and got the following:

For older vehicles, the limit is 84 dBA.

 

This Aston Martin so special?

 

On 6/18/2025 at 7:39 PM, Gnahp said:

I think the carbon fiber chassis/cabin acts like a sound box, which accentuate the noise/sound

like I keep you inside the guitar and play, you sure ki siao one

Yes, just like in a HDB, you neighbor upstairs dragging their furniture, next door doing drilling, kids playing soccer at the void deck, really can ki siao one.

 

On 6/18/2025 at 9:19 PM, Kxbc said:

one other unique selling point not mentioned by aston martin - loud engine and earphones supposed to drown out naggy spouse.

This type of super car is better for ferrying girlfriend, small 3 / mistress, must hear them talk one.

[Beregond]

Every 1 making EV or Hybrids.

They making V12?

I think they will be the next big name to be eaten up only.

[Volvobrick]

On 6/19/2025 at 11:10 AM, Beregond said:

Every 1 making EV or Hybrids.

They making V12?

I think they will be the next big name to be eaten up only.

Like all the other British car makers.  After European, Indian and Chinese companies, maybe an African company can buy it.

[Mkl22]

On 6/19/2025 at 11:17 AM, Volvobrick said:

Like all the other British car makers.  After European, Indian and Chinese companies, maybe an African company can buy it.

Yes. One of their ex colonies buy and lord it over them. But then I think investing in growing durians in Africa might be a better pay off. 🤣