Aston Martin is suing a Swiss car dealer that it says is withholding customer deposits on the upcoming Valkyrie hypercar.
In 2016, Switzerland’s Nebula Project agreed to help finance the Aston Martin Valkyrie as well as other mid-engine projects the brand was taking on in return for future royalties from the company which was experiencing financial hardships at the time.
Now, though, Aston Martin claims that it is ending its relationship with Nebula due to the withheld payments and will take customer deposits directly without involving a third party. Moreover, it expects to take a £15 million ($20.9 million USD) hit on its profits due to the situation with Nebula, per the BBC.
Aston Martin also says that it will no longer have to pay future royalties to the Swiss company, though Reuters reports that Nebula disputes that.
“We consider Aston Martin’s alleged unilateral termination of the contractual relationship with Nebula Project AG as illegitimate and unjustified and are prepared to pursue the necessary steps to preserve our rights,” Nebula said in a statement.
Regardless, Aston Martin says that the suit will not affect customers’ orders and it will work to ensure that they receive their cars on schedule.
Powered by a mid-mounted 6.5-liter V12 engine, the hybrid Valkyrie will have 1,160 hp on tap and will be able to reach an ear-piercing 10,500 rpm. With Formula 1 technology to keep it all under control, the hypercar will also be able to generate more than 1,814 kg (4,000 lbs) of downforce. Production will be limited to just 200 examples, all of which have reportedly been sold.
