Aston Martin Valiant is 734bhp track-focused sports car developed for Fernando Alonso
How many more words beginning with "v" can Aston Martin find?
The official story tells us that Fernando Alonso (yes, that one) liked the Aston Martin Valour — a manual, V12-engined sports car limited to 110 examples — but wanted a more extreme variant to push to the limit on track. Enter the new Valiant, developed in collaboration with the F1 driver for just 38 lucky Aston Martin collectors with £2m burning a hole in their offshore accounts.
It’s clear the new Valiant takes the Aston Valour coupé as its starting point, but the carbon-fibre bodywork is significantly different, ramping up the visual intent with a focus on downforce-producing aerodynamics.
The front splitter protrudes more, and the grille is even more open than on the brawny Valour.
Aft of the front wheels, the sides of the Valiant are intricately shaped with a functional-looking triple-spoiler effect in the sills ahead of the rear wheels.
Reduced weight, better aero
The Valiant sits on 21in magnesium wheels, reducing unspring mass by a total of 14kg, but you can’t see those as they’re covered by carbon-fibre aero discs.
The result of all these aerodynamic measures is reduced drag and lift, though Aston Martin hasn’t released absolute figures.
Above the wheels, the muscular wheelarches have sharper definition than on the curvier Valour, lining up with a much bigger rear spoiler. Viewed from the back, this is matched by a significantly enlarged aerodynamic diffuser, through which poke four grey exhaust outlets where the Valour had three.
V12 power with manual gearbox
Aston tells us the exhaust has been tuned “to celebrate” the engine mounted at the front. As before it’s a twin-turbocharged 5.2-litre V12, though peak power has been raised to 735bhp.
No acceleration or top speed data has been announced, but the Valiant should at least be faster accelerating than the Valour thanks to the extra power and a focus on reduced weight. Along with the special wheels, there’s 37kg or so stripped out thanks to a 3D-printed rear subframe, magnesium torque tube and use of a lithium-ion motor sport battery.
Also inspired by motor sport are the high tech new dampers from Multimatic, called Adaptive Spool Valve, claimed to be “state-of-the-art suspension technology” by Aston Martin and not available on the aftermarket. Multimatic is a Motorsport specialist that helped develop the Ford GT and recently created trick dampers for the Ferrari Purosangue.
Despite all this focus on performance and track ability, the Valiant retains the Valour’s six-speed manual gearbox for maximum driver interaction and, of course, power is sent only to the rear wheels. The Valiant’s gearbox linkage is exposed in the cabin and there’s a new metal gear knob.
Stripped-back with style inside
Elsewhere inside, a half-cage sits behind the two seats with the potential to fit four-point race harnesses.
The seats themselves are Recaro Podium items trimmed in either Alcantara or leather, and there’s a pared-back, weight-reducing theme to the rest of the interior.
As the Valiant was developed by the bespoke service, “Q by Aston Martin”, each of the 38 buyers will have the option to personalise the interior and exterior to their liking. It’s the least they can expect given the anticipated £2m price tag.
And if you think that sounds like a ridiculous number, bear in mind that Aston Martin has already found homes for each and every example.
It’s only fair that Fernando Alonso was at the front of the queue, and you can see him driving the Valiant flat out at the Goodwood Festival of Speed next month.
Related articles
- If you found news of the new Aston Martin Valiant interesting, you might want to read Will Dron’s review of the Aston Martin DB12
- You might also be interested in our Aston Martin DBX707 on-track video review
- And more great news: Aston Martin is working on a new V12 engine
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