GAYDON, UK: Aston Martin has announced Valiant; an ultra-exclusive track-focused, road-legal special edition handled by in-house bespoke division, Q by Aston Martin.
Powered by a 745PS Twin Turbo 5.2-litre V12 mated to a six-speed manual transmission, Valiant embodies Aston Martin’s commitment to building pure driver’s cars.
Production is strictly limited to just 38 cars globally with all fully allocated.
Valiant was originally conceived from a personal commission from Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team driver, Fernando Alonso for a lightweight, more extreme, race car inspired version of the spectacular, Aston Martin Valour.
Valiant continues a strong lineage of Aston Martins that deliver true driving intensity both on-road and on-track with the ultimate hypercar, Valkyrie, the brand’s most focused sports car, Vantage and its brother in speed, the Vantage GT3 race car and of course the upcoming mid-engine supercar, Valhalla.
As the new pinnacle of ferocious front-engined Aston Martin limited edition specials, Valiant has been developed to deliver its best on-track, while remaining fully homologated for road use.
It boasts an exotic specification to delight the purist and excite the most demanding driver. Crowned by the combination of Aston Martin’s incredible twin-turbocharged 5.2-litre V12 engine – which now develops 745PS and 753Nm of torque - and six-speed manual transmission, Valiant also features standard-fit Carbon Ceramic brakes measuring 410mm x 38mm front and 360mm x 32mm rear for immense fade-free stopping power.
Valiant features a number of unique engineering highlights to reduce weight and dial-in the chassis for serious track use.
The adoption of a 3D-printed rear subframe saves 3kg with no reduction in stiffness, while a magnesium torque tube reduces mass at the centre point of the car by 8.6kg.
Lightweight 21” magnesium wheels – with 275/35 front and 325/30 rear tyres - improve steering response and wheel control, reducing unsprung mass by 14kg.
A motorsport-spec lithium-ion battery has been fitted to save a further 11.5kg.
The most influential change in the character of Valiant comes from the fitment of Multimatic Adaptive Spool Valve (ASV) dampers, capable of simultaneously adjusting each damper to one of thirty-two discreet damper curves in less than six milliseconds, the ASV system is truly state-of-the-art suspension technology that provides Aston Martin’s engineers with almost limitless scope for tuning ride and handling characteristics.
The dampers offer motorsport-level damping control and an operating control bandwidth previously exclusive to the highest echelons of motorsport.
The Multimatic ASV dampers are only found fitted to the most dynamic, most exclusive vehicles available and are not available in the aftermarket.
Aggressive, extreme and unambiguous, Valiant’s dramatic bodywork makes an explicit statement of intent.
Through use of extensive lightweight carbon fibre, the evocative profile speaks of a truly heavyweight punch.
Broad and muscular with sharply chiseled features shaped to generate stability enhancing downforce and minimize speed-sapping drag.
Every inch of the Valiant’s immaculately sculpted form serves an aesthetic and aerodynamic function.
Valiant’s rear-end design is equally effective and dramatic, with the sharp Kamm tail and boldly upswept deck lid topped by a prominent fixed wing.
Shaped to balance downforce gains made by the front splitter and styled to leave no doubt as to Valiant’s performance capabilities, it is one of many unmistakable design signatures.
A fixed, one-piece clamshell rear, features a hinged rear screen panel, allowing access to a load space perfect for the storage of race helmets and race clothing.
To highlight the mechanical nature of the manual gearbox, a cutaway in the transmission tunnel exposes the gear linkage running rearward to the six-speed transaxle.
Available with a choice of Alcantara or semi-aniline leather cabin trim, Valiant continues its focused approach with lightweight materials, ‘debossed’ Alcantara seat quilting and tactile Alcantara steering wheel for maximum control. The bespoke door panels feature a sculpted design with mesh insert panels to reduce weight, along with lightweight fabric door release pulls.
While first deliveries are due to commence in Q4 2024, Valiant will make its public debut at the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed (July 11-14) with dynamic demonstrations on the famous Hill Climb course.
