Aston Martin proudly pronounces Valiant, an ultra-exclusive, track-focused, road-legal particular version of extraordinary rarity, presence, and efficiency. It is the most recent in an extended line of distinctive tasks expertly dealt with by the in-house bespoke division, Q by Aston Martin. A 745PS Twin Turbo 5.2-litre V12 powers Valiant, mated to a six-speed handbook transmission, and it embodies Aston Martin’s dedication to constructing pure driver’s vehicles. Production is strictly restricted to only 38 vehicles globally, with all absolutely allotted.
Click right here to subscribe to our print version!
Valiant was initially conceived from a private fee from Aston Martin Aramco Formula One® Team driver Fernando Alonso for a light-weight, extra excessive, race car-inspired model of the spectacular Aston Martin Valour. Following the fee and taking inspiration from Fernando’s 23-year profession in Formula 1 and his ardour for driving on the restrict, Valiant was born as a strictly limited-edition particular that has been fastidiously designed and crafted by the specialists in Aston Martin’s bespoke division: Q by Aston Martin. Aspiring to supply the final word in bespoke personalisation companies, Q by Aston Martin delivers fastidiously curated particular editions similar to Valiant and Valour and the chance for particular person homeowners to embark on the creation of totally particular person sports activities vehicles like Victor.
Valiant continues a robust lineage of Aston Martins that ship true driving depth each on-road and on-track with the final word hypercar, Valkyrie, the model’s most targeted sports activities automobile, Vantage and its brother in velocity, the Vantage GT3 race automobile and, of course, the upcoming mid-engine supercar, Valhalla. While Valour and Valiant take inspiration from the model’s iconic heritage of their design, they sit firmly in Aston Martin’s trendy efficiency, delivering class-leading energy, driving dynamics and cutting-edge expertise, making certain Aston Martin’s enchantment to true driving connoisseurs.
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Aramco Formula One® Team driver, stated:
“Valour was a spectacular celebration of Aston Martin’s 110th anniversary and stirred me to create a more extreme, race car-inspired version that was track focussed while also delivering a thrilling drive on-road. Valiant is born from my passion for driving at the limit. I have enjoyed working closely with the Q by Aston Martin team on the design and technical specification and believe we have created a masterpiece.”
Combining the brutal fashion and blistering efficiency of a bygone evocative period of brutal V12 efficiency with state-of-the-art up to date engineering, light-weight supplies, and spectacular design, Valiant pushes the boundaries of efficiency and engagement to evolve, intensify, and reimagine the final word Aston Martin driver’s automobile—one born to thrive on the racetrack and thrill on the highway.
Regarding the brand new Valiant, Marco Mattiacci, Global Chief Brand and Commercial Officer of Aston Martin, stated:
“Valiant is a modern masterpiece. A creation of Q by Aston Martin was inspired by a racing legend and was conceived using the latest F1®-inspired technology, exotic materials, and obsessive weight reduction. It focuses on placing the driver in a truly unique, intense, emotional driving experience. The ultimate blend of performance, track-focused dynamics and hypercar intensity, Valiant embodies Aston Martin’s determined commitment to build rare and extraordinary cars for true drivers”.
As the brand new pinnacle of ferocious front-engined Aston Martin restricted version specials, Valiant has been developed to ship its finest on-track whereas remaining absolutely homologated for highway use. It boasts an unique specification to thrill the purist and excite probably the most demanding driver. Crowned by the mixture of Aston Martin’s unimaginable twin-turbocharged 5.2-litre V12 engine – which now develops 745PS and 753Nm of torque – and six-speed handbook transmission, Valiant additionally options standard-fit Carbon Ceramic brakes measuring 410mm x 38mm entrance and 360mm x 32mm rear for immense fade-free stopping energy.
Valiant options a number of distinctive engineering highlights to cut back weight and dial within the chassis for critical observe use. Adopting a 3D-printed rear subframe saves 3kg with no discount in stiffness, whereas a magnesium torque tube reduces mass on the centre level of the automobile by 8.6kg. Lightweight 21″ magnesium wheels – with 275/35 entrance and 325/30 rear tyres – enhance steering response and wheel management, lowering unsprung mass by 14kg. A motorsport-spec lithium-ion battery has been fitted to save lots of an extra 11.5kg.
The most influential change within the character of Valiant comes from the fitment of Multimatic Adaptive Spool Valve (ASV) dampers, succesful of concurrently adjusting every damper to at least one of thirty-two discreet damper curves in lower than six milliseconds; the ASV system is genuinely state-of-the-art suspension expertise that gives Aston Martin’s engineers with nearly limitless scope for tuning experience and dealing with traits. The dampers supply motorsport-level damping management and an working management bandwidth beforehand unique to the best echelons of motorsport. The Multimatic ASV dampers are solely discovered fitted to probably the most dynamic, most unique autos accessible and are usually not accessible within the aftermarket.
To exploit the elevated limits of the brand new suspension set-up and better aerodynamic downforce, every of Valiant’s pre-set Driving Modes—Sport, Sport+, and Track—has been recalibrated to assist the motive force in progressively exploring the automobile’s full efficiency. Connection, consistency, and confidence are key attributes, and the motive force develops an intimate bond with the machine that permits them to take management of Valiant’s plentiful efficiency and revel in exploring its elevated capabilities to the fullest.
Simon Newton, Aston Martin’s Director of Vehicle Performance, stated:
“With Valiant, we’ve shifted the emphasis towards much-increased track capability while retaining enough useability to remain enjoyable on the road. We’ve moved the dial in every key area to extract greater performance and deliver more excitement; increased power delivery from the V12 to develop 745PS; perfecting the chassis set-up with Multimatic ASV dampers; re-sculpting the body to produce more downforce; and employing lightweight materials and processes to reduce mass. Above all, we have put the driver right at the heart of the action, honing control weights for maximum satisfaction, perfecting the shift action of the manual transmission, and ensuring the increased handling limits remain accessible and rewarding. It combines to create an amazing experience Valiant owners won’t find in any other car”.
Aggressive, excessive, and unambiguous, Valiant’s dramatic bodywork makes an specific assertion of intent. The evocative profile makes use of intensive light-weight carbon fibre to talk of a really heavyweight punch. Broad and muscular, with sharply chiselled options formed to generate stability, improve downforce, and minimise speed-sapping drag, each inch of Valiant’s immaculately sculpted type serves an aesthetic and aerodynamic perform.
Slicing by means of the air with most effectiveness, Valiant’s deep entrance splitter helps pin the nostril to the tarmac, whereas distinctive multi-layer finish planes information and clean airflow across the entrance wheels. A brand new full-width carbon fibre grille immediately above the splitter will increase the cooling air circulation to the engine. It reduces mass forward of the entrance axle to assist centralise weight distribution and enhance dealing with.
Valiant’s most distinctive useful options are its closely scalloped facet fenders and carbon fibre aero discs fitted to the 21″ Magnesium wheels. Working in concord with the entrance splitter finish planes, the broad facet sills and upswept vortex turbines situated forward of the rear wheels clean airflow alongside the flanks, lowering turbulence, drag and carry.
Inspired by wheel covers fitted to the legendary 1980 RHAM/1 ‘Muncher’ Le Mans racer and connected on to the light-weight cast magnesium wheels, the aero discs scale back turbulence and drag the rotating wheels create. In addition, six strategically positioned inlets draw cooling air onto the carbon ceramic brakes to keep up optimum braking efficiency throughout observe use, with apertures across the wheel’s circumference, permitting the intense warmth generated by the carbon ceramic discs to vent.
Valiant’s rear-end design is equally efficient and dramatic, with the sharp Kamm tail and boldly upswept deck lid topped by a outstanding mounted wing. Shaped to stability downforce good points made by the entrance splitter and styled to go away little question about Valiant’s efficiency capabilities, it’s one of many unmistakable design signatures. A hard and fast, one-piece clamshell rear, incorporates a hinged rear display screen panel, permitting entry to a load area excellent for the storage of race helmets and race clothes.
The useful rear diffuser is finishing the aerodynamic bundle. Designed utilizing Computational Fluid Dynamics to make constructive reductions in drag and carry, the carbon fibre building offers the additional advantage of lowering mass on the rear. The diffuser additionally completely frames Valiant’s spectacular quad exit titanium exhaust system, styled for max visible influence and tuned to have fun the 745PS V12 engine’s unimaginable soundtrack.
Like its exterior, Valiant’s inside is an excellent mixture of race-bred performance and the stainless design prospers and mastery of supplies for which Aston Martin is famend. The strictly two-seat cockpit is filled with drama and function. Extensive use of uncovered satin-finish carbon fibre underpins Valiant’s give attention to light-weight supplies, whereas strategic placement of seat padding and finely-tailored, light-weight upholstery add focused consolation, luxurious and tactility.
Particular consideration is paid to contact factors between the motive force and the machine. This begins with a brand new steering wheel. Unique to Valiant and designed to replicate the purity and connection discovered all through the automobile, it’s completely spherical with a slimmer-diameter rim and spokes devoid of switches for an intuitive really feel and 0 distractions.
To spotlight the mechanical nature of the handbook gearbox, a cutaway within the transmission tunnel exposes the gear linkage operating rearward to the six-speed transaxle. Development has targeted on perfecting the burden and really feel of the gearshift, with a brand new bespoke spherical gear knob and H-pattern shifting maximising gearshift effort and precision.
Valiant is designed for targeted observe use, so driver consolation and security are paramount. To this finish, Valiant incorporates a built-in half-cage as normal and bespoke trimmed Recaro Podium seats. The metal half-cage offers the anchor level for becoming 4-point race harnesses to the automobile. Recaro Podium seats present distinctive lateral and shoulder help, with modern pads that includes passive thorax air flow for elevated consolation throughout excessive driving.
Available with a alternative of Alcantara or semi-aniline leather-based cabin trim, Valiant continues its targeted strategy with light-weight supplies, a ‘debossed’ Alcantara seat quilting and a tactile Alcantara steering wheel for max management. The bespoke door panels characteristic a sculpted design with mesh insert panels to cut back weight, and light-weight material door launch pulls.
Describing Valiant’s aggressive look, Marek Reichman, Aston Martin’s Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer, stated:
“Valiant is an extrovert. One look leaves you in no doubt of its intentions. A true thoroughbred aimed at being enjoyed to the full on a racetrack, yet still useable on the road, it takes clear inspiration from motorsport, expressing its character through dramatic, muscular form and a plethora of beautiful, functional details. Amongst these are aero disc wheel covers, a nod to the mighty ‘Muncher’ Le Mans car, and a quartet of large diameter titanium exhaust pipes which honour the internal combustion and celebrate the soundtrack of Aston Martin’s magnificent V12”.
While first deliveries are on account of start in This autumn 2024, Valiant will debut publicly on the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed (July 11-14) with dynamic demonstrations on the well-known Hill Climb course. One of the demonstration runs might be within the palms of Valiant’s first buyer: two-time Formula One® World Champion and Aston Martin Aramco Formula One® Team driver Fernando Alonso.
