Aston Martin Valiant: The champion of pure driving passion
06/25/2024
Aston Martin
Aston Martin is proud to announce Valiant; an ultra-exclusive track-focused, road-legal special edition of extraordinary rarity, presence and potency and is the latest in a long line of extraordinary projects expertly 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(R) Team driver, Fernando Alonso for a lightweight, more extreme, race car inspired version of the spectacular, Aston Martin Valour. Following the commission and taking inspiration from Fernando's 23-year career in Formula 1(R) and his passion for driving at the limit, Valiant was born, as a strictly limited-edition special that has been carefully designed and crafted by the experts in Aston Martin's bespoke division: Q by Aston Martin. Aspiring to offer the ultimate in bespoke personalisation services, Q by Aston Martin delivers both carefully curated special editions such as Valiant and Valour, as well as the opportunity for individual owners to embark on the creation of utterly individual sports cars like Victor.
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. While both Valour and Valiant take inspiration from the brands iconic heritage in their design, they sit firmly in Aston Martin's modern performance future delivering class leading power, driving dynamics and cutting-edge technology, ensuring Aston Martins appeal to true driving connoisseurs.
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Aramco Formula One(R) Team driver said: "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 and I have enjoyed working closely with the Q by Aston Martin team on both the design and technical specification and believe we have created a masterpiece."
Combining the brutal style and blistering performance of a bygone evocative era of brutal V12 performance with state-of-the-art contemporary engineering, lightweight materials and spectacular design, Valiant pushes the boundaries of performance and engagement to evolve, intensify and reimagine the ultimate Aston Martin driver's car. One born to thrive on the racetrack and thrill on the road.
Speaking of the new Valiant, Marco Mattiacci, Global Chief Brand and Commercial Officer of Aston Martin said: "Valiant is a modern masterpiece. A creation of Q by Aston Martin, inspired by a racing legend and conceived using the latest F1(R) inspired technology, exotic materials and obsessive weight reduction. It focusses on placing the driver in a truly unique, intense and 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 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.
To exploit the increased limits of the new suspension set-up and greater aerodynamic downforce, each of Valiant's pre-set Driving Modes - Sport, Sport+ and Track - have been recalibrated to aid the driver in progressively exploring the car's full performance. Connection, consistency and confidence are key attributes, the driver developing an intimate bond with the machine which allows them to take control of Valiant's abundant performance and enjoy exploring its elevated capabilities to the full.
Simon Newton, Aston Martin's Director of Vehicle Performance, said: "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; ensuring the increased handling limits remain accessible and rewarding. It all combines to create an amazing experience Valiant owners won't find in any other car".
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.
Slicing through the air with maximum effectiveness, Valiant's deep front splitter helps pin the nose to the tarmac, while distinctive multi-layer end planes guide and smooth airflow around the front wheels. Directly above the splitter a new full-width carbon fibre grille increases the flow of cooling air to the engine and reduces mass ahead of the front axle to help centralise weight distribution and improve handling.
Amongst Valiant's most distinctive functional features are its heavily scalloped side fenders and carbon fibre aero discs fitted to the 21" Magnesium wheels. Working in harmony with the front splitter end planes, the broad side sills and upswept vortex generators located ahead of the rear wheels smooth airflow along the flanks, reducing turbulence, drag and lift.
Inspired by wheel covers fitted to the legendary 1980 RHAM/1 'Muncher' Le Mans racer and attached directly to the lightweight forged magnesium wheels, the aero discs reduce turbulence and drag created by the rotating wheels. In addition, six strategically placed inlets draw cooling air onto the carbon ceramic brakes to maintain optimum braking performance during track use, with apertures around the circumference of the wheel allowing the extreme heat generated by the carbon ceramic discs to vent.
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.
Completing the aerodynamic package is the functional rear diffuser. Designed using Computational Fluid Dynamics to make positive reductions in drag and lift, the carbon fibre construction provides the added benefit of reducing mass at the rear. The diffuser also serves to perfectly frame Valiant's spectacular quad exit, titanium exhaust system, which has been styled for maximum visual impact and tuned to celebrate the 745PS V12 engine's incredible soundtrack.
Like its exterior, Valiant's interior is a brilliant combination of race-bred functionality and the immaculate design flourishes and mastery of materials for which Aston Martin is renowned. The strictly two-seat cockpit is packed with drama and purpose. Extensive use of exposed satin-finish carbon fibre underpin Valiant's focus on lightweight materials, while strategic placement of seat padding and finely-tailored, lightweight upholstery add targeted comfort, luxury and tactility.
Particular attention is paid to points of contact between driver and machine. This begins with a new steering wheel. Unique to Valiant and designed to reflect the purity and connection found throughout the car, it is perfectly round with a slimmer-diameter rim and spokes devoid of switches for intuitive feel and zero distractions.
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. Development has focused on perfecting the weight and feel of the gearshift, with a new bespoke spherical gear knob and H-pattern shifting maximizing gearshift effort and precision.
With Valiant being designed with focused track-use in mind, driver comfort and safety are paramount. To this end Valiant features a built-in half-cage as-standard together with bespoke trimmed Recaro Podium seats. The steel half-cage provides the anchor point to allow 4-point race harnesses to be fitted to the car. Recaro Podium seats provide exceptional lateral and shoulder support, with innovative pads featuring passive thorax ventilation for increased comfort during extreme driving.
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.
Describing Valiant's aggressive look, Marek Reichman, Aston Martin's Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer, said: "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, which are 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 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. One of the demonstration runs will be in the hands of Valiant's first customer; two-time Formula One(R) World Champion and Aston Martin Aramco Formula One(R) Team driver, Fernando Alonso.