Three pedals plus V12 is a combination we never thought we would see in an Aston Martin again since the Valour. With the new Valiant, the legendary combination returns. Aaron Stokes explores the latest creation to leave the gates from Gaydon.
The Aston Martin Valiant is the most extreme front-engine car to leave the factory in Aston Martin’s history, powered by a 734 bhp twin-turbocharged V12 sending power to the road through a bespoke 6-speed manual gearbox.
As with the other models in the V-bomber line-up, the Vulcan and Victor, the existence of Valiant is owed to a bespoke customer commission. However, in this case you might recognise the person's name, a certain Mr Fernando Alonso. As with the fellow models in its lineage, the Valiant is strictly limited. If you wanted one of the 38 cars being built, they have all already been spoken for.
Unlike its brother, the Valour, Valiant has a much deeper focus to ensure that on track performance is where the Valiant will come to life. Aston Martin has decided to do this through the use of some rather clever engineering. One example of this is the decision to 3D-print the rear subframe which manages to shave 3 kg from the car.
However, while the rear subframe has been lightened, there has been no compromise in the stiffness. The use of a magnesium torque tube takes 8.6 kg out of the spine of Valiant. Magnesium is also used to manufacture the 21” lightweight wheels which reduce unsprung mass by 14 kg. As with most high-performance cars, there is a lithium-ion battery in the Valiant which helps to shave another 11.5 kg.
The most radical change that can be found on Valiant is its Multimatic Adaptive Spool Valve dampers (or ASV for short.) Each damper can be adjusted to a new damper curve in less than six milliseconds. The ASV dampers are paired with revised driver modes to help those lucky enough to get an allocation, extract the most out of the Valiant.
For the exterior, Aston Martin has decided to use extensive amounts of carbon fibre for the exterior panels of Valiant. While the Valiant does share a lot of its design DNA with the Valour, there is no mistaking that this is something even more special, something even more striking. All of this design isn’t just purely for design, it’s there to help with aerodynamics. The large front splitter helps to stick the front end to the road. The front of the Valiant also benefits from a new carbon fibre grille to aid with cooling the twin-turbo V12.
One feature I normally don’t like on cars like these is the aero discs. However, on the Valiant they work so well and take inspiration from the iconic 1980 ‘Muncher’ Le Mans racer. They serve more purpose than to just add to the dramatic styling. The aim of the aero discs is to reduce turbulence and drag that is created by the wheels. Alongside this, they also serve to help draw cool air onto the carbon ceramic brakes and allow the heat generated under hard braking to escape.
At the rear of the Valiant, is quite possibly the most striking feature, its large fixed wing. Like other design features of the Valiant, it serves a purpose. It’s there to help balance out the downforce that is created by the front splitter. Working with the rear wing is a carbon fibre rear diffuser. It not only serves an aerodynamic purpose, it is also home to the quad tailpipe titanium exhaust which allows the V12 to sing. The rear of the Valiant is created with a single-piece fixed clamshell. Unlike many of the latest track-focussed supercars, the Valiant still has a usable storage space, concealed under a hinged rear screen panel. I’m sure if you would like, you can have this in carbon fibre.
The exterior is not the only place that the Valiant gets the carbon fibre treatment, the interior also benefits from carbon fibre. A prime example of this is the carbon fibre central tunnel, which houses the exposed shift linkage for the six-speed manual gearbox. As a Q creation, the Valiant has some unique touches. One of these is a new and exclusive steering wheel. Unlike most modern interiors, Aston Martin has decided to do away with controls on the steering wheel.
In the interior of Valiant, the track-focussed theme is still clear. As standard, Aston Martin has included a steel half-cage which allows for a 4-point racing harness to be fitted, holding you in the Recaro Podium seats.
For those who managed to secure their allocation, Aston Martin will start delivering Valiant’s to customers in the last quarter of this year. If you are making the petrol-head pilgrimage to the Goodwood Festival of Speed this year, the Valiant will be there and will be taken up the prestigious hillclimb by the man responsible for its creation; Mr Fernando Alonso.
