By Matt Bird / Wednesday, June 26, 2024 / Loading Comments
It was hard to believe that a car would meet more PH requirements than the Aston Martin Valor in 2023. Evoking the design of vintage 20th-century Vantages was a smart start and combining its aesthetic boldness with a 5. 2-liter V12 and a six-cylinder engine. The manual speed made it difficult to think about how a limited edition Aston could be improved. Apart from making more than 110 of them, maybe. But Fernando Alonso believes he could do better (at least that’s what the story says); Supposedly encouraged by its unique Valor specification, Aston Martin has created this: the track-centric (but still road-legal) Valiant.
We’ve been here before, albeit in a slightly different context, with the Alpine A110 R Fernando Alonso. Obviously, the guy loves track-ready production cars. And, in fact, he will continue to be part of the Aston team when the Festival of Speed is released. However, even despite the popularity of a lightweight, carbon-clad French car and the Valor’s formidable specs, the Valiant feels pretty extreme. Aston says the new car “pushes the boundaries of functionality and commitment to evolve, accentuate and reinvent Aston Martin’s driver personality”. ultimate car. ” Therefore, the V12’s strength increasing from 715 hp to 745 hp is rarely big news; Instead, innovations in chassis, aerodynamics and weight reduction deserve attention.
The Valiant, for example, uses a lithium-ion battery, which saves 11. 5 kg; A magnesium torsion tube saves another 8. 6 kg. The rear subframe is designed in 3D and reduces weight by 3 kg compared to before. The 21-inch wheels are made of magnesium and reduce the unsprung mass by 14 kg, which promises greater steering reaction and wheel control. The exhaust is now made of titanium or stainless steel. Inside there’s a half-cage, Reautomobileo Podium seats like a Project Clio car – albeit nicely decked out, of course – and even an exposed linkage for the six-speed manual transmission. If consumers need manual supercars, Aston is betting on the concept.
The most significant update between Valor and Valiant is the inclusion of Multimatic’s Adaptive Spool Valve (ASV) surprises. Basically, think of a suspension that meets motorsport specifications and the ability to adjust every surprise to one of 32 corners in less than six milliseconds (!) With an “unlimited maximum” option to adjust gear and handling. So while the Sport, Sport and Track modes still exist, they’ve been recalibrated to take full credit for the high-end hardware. It’s not like having smart threaded dampers on a track car: Multimatic’s suspension can only be obtained from Multimatic, has been deemed smart enough for the Ferrari Purosangue, and is meant to deliver “a bandwidth of functionality that in the past was exclusive to the highest levels of motorsport. ” Yes, autoumba.
The Valor’s aerodynamics have also been revised to create the Valiant. There’s a new front splitter with trim planes, a giant carbon grille for more cooling air, “heavily scalloped” finishes, and vortex turbines in front of the rear wheels. The constant spoiler at the rear ensures that the Valiant won’t have undeniable value and helps balance the downforce created through the more competitive front trim. The diffuser has also been redesigned. The ceramic brakes, in preparation for correct use on the track, now take advantage of more air vents.
The interior of the Valiant is described as “a brilliant blend of racing characteristics, impeccable design and mastery of fabrics that Aston Martin is known for”. So there’s a car everywhere, a new steering wheel and even a redesigned shifter to improve weight and feel. of the shift. Buyers can purchase Alcantara or semi-aniline leather, and everyone will get advantages of an anchor point in the cage to mount four-point harnesses. The trunk is “better for storing helmets and running clothes. “It can be used on track days, even if lunch has cleaning paddles instead of a quarter pounder. Perhaps nothing says better about an Aston circuit car than the cushions of those Reautomobileo seats with “passive chest ventilation for comfort in excessive driving”.
Fernando Alonso said of the car he animated: “I value Aston Martin’s impressive 110th anniversary birthday party and it encouraged me to create a more extreme, racecar-driven edition that would focus on the track while also providing exciting driving on the road. Valiant: I was born out of my love of driving to the limit and I really enjoyed racing with the Q team through Aston Martin both in design and technical specifications and I think we’ve created a masterpiece.
It’s hard to disagree, right? Only 38 Valiants will be built (so yes, the Alpine Alonso is rarer) and all of them have already been taken into account. Probably for several hundred thousand pounds sterling, or even seven-figure sums. Deliveries are scheduled for the fourth quarter of this year. year; If you’re not one of the lucky few, be sure to check out the Valiant at the Festival of Speed. There’s no prize for guessing who climbs the hill.