Last year, Aston Martin built the Valor, a custom-made super-limited edition sports car with a tuned DBS V12 and a six-speed manual gearbox. Aston only built 110 of those magnificent sports cars. Gordon Ramsay has one. However, the British have now designed an even more special model, with an even more limited production: the Aston Martin Valiant. And the Valiant has a little more star strength than a noisy chef, as he commanded through Aston Martin’s Formula 1 driver, Fernando. Alonso.
Alonso was looking for a lighter, stronger and more excessive edition of the Valor, so he turned to Aston Martin’s Q division, where his most special custom sports cars are made.
“I valued an impressive Aston Martin 110th anniversary birthday party and it encouraged me to create a more extreme, racecar-driven, track-focused version, while still delivering a thrilling ride on the road,” Alonso said in a corporate press release. “It was born out of my love of driving on the limit and I really enjoyed racing with the Q team through Aston Martin, both in the design and the technical specifications, and I think we have created a masterpiece. “
Since the Valiant is discovered in the Valor, it has a similar appearance. Except that the two-time world champion’s creation features vents, transoms, and carbon fiber grilles throughout. They can be found in the grille, front air intakes, above the rear diffuser, rear window and even rear fender. It’s probably not as sleek as the Valor, but it’s lighter and sportier, with more aerodynamics.
The Valor already had a carbon fiber body, so Aston Martin had to get creative to further reduce the weight of the Valiant. A 3D rear subframe loses 3 kilos; a magnesium torsion tube loses another 8. 6 kilograms; The 21-inch magnesium wheels weigh 14 kilograms; And a motorsport-friendly lithium-ion battery makes it even lighter at 11. 5 kilograms. That’s about 75 pounds total. These wheels are also fitted with aerodynamic disc hubcaps, encouraged by the driver “Muncher” of the 1980 Le Mans RHAM/1, to improve aerodynamics and reduce drag.
To complement this lighter weight and give Alonso the point and handling he wanted, Aston has equipped the Valiant with the new Multimatic Adaptive Spool Valve (ASV) surprise dampers. They can be adjusted among 32 other damping curves in less than six milliseconds.
Under the hood is a similar 5. 2-liter twin-turbo V12, but it’s been upgraded to 743 horsepower, compared to the Valor’s 705 horsepower. The torque is the same, 555 lb-ft. The same goes for its six-speed manual transmission, with its lovely exposed linkage.
Inside the Valiant is a half-roll bar, specially decorated Recaro podium seats, and four-point racing harnesses. Customers can choose between Alcantara upholstery or leather, to complement the acres of carbon fiber upholstery. Otherwise, it’s almost exactly the same as the Value inside.
Only 38 Aston Martin Valiants will be built and deliveries will begin in the fourth quarter of 2024. However, most people will see the Valiant in public for the first time at the Goodwood Festival of Speed on July 11.
Do you have any advice? Send them to tips@thedrive. com
Nico DeMattia is one of The Drive’s weekend editors. As a car enthusiast, he enjoys almost everything about his job: covering news from across the automotive industry, writing reviews, and interacting with other enthusiasts about car culture. He writes about cars on his own blog to explain his reviews when no one else wanted to publish them in 2015, and eventually turned him into a full-time motorist.
The chronicle of culture, delivered to your inbox.
By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Some benefits of our Car Shopping program may not be available in your area. See terms and situations for details.