ASTON MARTIN VALIANT: THE CHAMPION OF PURE DRIVING PASSION

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ASTON MARTIN VALIANT: THE CHAMPION OF PURE DRIVING PASSION

•              Ultra-exclusive, track-focused, road-legal extreme Valiant special edition developed through bespoke service, Q by Aston Martin

•              Originated from a personal commission by Aston Martin Aramco Formula One® Team driver Fernando Alonso

•              Continues the brand’s long tradition in developing highly collectable special edition models

•              Powered by 745PS 5.2 litre Twin-Turbo V12 engine mated to a bespoke 6-speed manual transmission

•              Bespoke chassis specification features Multimatic ASV dampers and recalibrated electronics for enhanced track capability 

•              Spectacular all-carbon fibre bodywork with aerodynamic features reduces weight and increases downforce; pared-back, lightweight interior enhances connection and driver focus

•              Stunning styling reimagines iconic legendary ‘Muncher’ Le Mans racer using cutting edge materials and materialsyadehnology 

•              Further weight savings achieved with use of magnesium, titanium and advanced 3D printing for key components advanced 3D printing for key components

•              Production strictly limited to 38 units globally and first deliveries to commence in Q4 2024 

•              Public debut set for 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed in the hands of Aston Martin Aramco Formula One® Team driver Fernando Alonso

26 June 2024, Gaydon, UK: 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® 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® 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® 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® 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