The longer a car manufacturer’s history, the more glorious reasons it has to produce exclusive cars. Especially if the company was involved and achieved success in motorsports. In 2024, Aston Martin put together a combo by launching the Valiant supercar, a limited-edition model based on the Valor coupe built in 2023 for the 110th anniversary. And the customer of this unique car was racing driver Fernando Alonso, and the two-time Formula 1 champion was so generous that he allowed his individual project to be turned into a small-scale car for selected customers of the British company.
Aston Martin’s move towards hybridisation and electrification of its models does not prevent the brand from periodically returning to the canons, producing old-school cars with a V12 engine and manual transmission. The company prepared one of these cars, the Aston Martin Valor, as a gift for itself and its wealthiest followers on the occasion of the brand’s 110th anniversary.
Photo by: Aston Martin
Taking as a basis the Aston Martin V12 Vantage coupe, which shared the chassis, body and engine, the British built a coupe in the spirit of the 2020 Aston Martin Victor. The car received a full carbon fiber body, equipped with additional amplifiers, new LED optics, reminiscent of the classic Aston Martin V8 Vantage of the 1970-1980s and the racing Aston Martin RHAM/1, and exclusive 21-inch wheels of the recognizable Honeycomb design with special Michelin Pilot Sport S 5 tires. The interior of the base model has changed minimally: a “one-piece” digital instrument panel has appeared, the ventilation system deflectors have changed, new door maps, special carbon fiber overlays on the front panel, a redesigned central tunnel, which is crowned by the “mechanics” selector.
Photo by: Aston Martin
Under the hood was a 5.2-liter V12 turbo engine, boosted to 715 hp, paired with a 6-speed manual transmission installed on the rear axle, which made the Valor a unique project today. In addition to the unusual combination of power unit and transmission, the coupe was equipped with a special suspension with adaptive shock absorbers, springs and anti-roll bars, the settings of which were selected specifically for the car, the steering system was modified, and carbon-ceramic brakes were included as standard equipment. The rear-wheel drive supercar is claimed to have a limited-slip differential on the rear axle, which, in combination with three operating modes of the power plant and safety electronics (Sport, Sport+ and Track), is designed to provide the driver with the most “analogue” driving experience.
Photo by: Aston Martin
Produced in a limited edition of 110 units, the Aston Martin Valor was priced between £1m and £1.5m, depending on the degree of intervention in the design of the car by the factory’s personalisation specialists, Q by Aston Martin, which offers a variety of exterior and interior decoration options. But even more unique was the Aston Martin Valiant unveiled in 2024, whose customer was Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team works driver Fernando Alonso.
In the career of the Spanish sportsman there were several custom models that were produced by the teams for which the driver competed in the World Championship, but, perhaps, the British car became the most striking project with the participation of the two-time title winner. Firstly, because only 38 Valiants will be built. Secondly, because in these days of total hybridization, building a supercar with a V12 and “mechanics” is not only bold, but incredibly bold!
“Valour was a spectacular celebration of Aston Martin’s 110th anniversary and inspired me to create a more extreme, race-inspired version that was track-focused, but at the same time providing a thrilling ride on public roads. Valiant was born from my passion for driving at the limit – I enjoyed working closely with the Q by Aston Martin team on both design and performance, and I believe we have created a masterpiece,” he succinctly described his collaboration with Aston Martin, the brainchild of Fernando Alonso.
Photo by: Aston Martin
And although the Valiant is very reminiscent of the Valor, in reality the car has been seriously modified in all aspects. The carbon fiber body received a more aggressive design with developed aerodynamic elements and a large number of air intakes to cool the units, as many as four exhaust pipes appeared in the rear bumper, the trunk lid is crowned with an even more noticeable Kamm tailpipe. It is complemented by a stationary spoiler and 21-inch magnesium wheels that not only look stylish, but also improve aerodynamics.
Photo by: Aston Martin
The interior of the new car differs from the original supercar in details, but what! A very stylish laconic steering wheel with a reduced diameter and a simple round shape (which is unusual by modern standards) without controls appeared, and a special “window” appeared in the central tunnel, which allows you to see the elements of the 6-speed manual transmission.
Photo by: Aston Martin
Because the car was designed with racetrack use in mind, the Aston Martin Valiant features an integrated half-cage with the ability to accommodate four-point seatbelts supporting Recaro Podium seats. The seats are said to have a design that provides exceptional lateral support and shoulder support, and the cushions are passively ventilated to enhance comfort during hard driving.
Photo by: Aston Martin
The matter was not limited to changes to the exterior and interior alone. The power of the V12 engine was increased to 745 hp. s., the “mechanics” remained intact, but the chassis and suspension were seriously modified. The car was equipped with Multimatic Adaptive Spool Valve (ASV) adaptive dampers, which are capable of changing their stiffness in less than 6 milliseconds. The operation of the electronic systems in Sport, Sport+ and Track modes was changed, the 3D-printed rear subframe became 3 kg lighter, the magnesium driveshaft allowed to lose another 8.6 kg, and the lithium-ion racing battery is 11.5 kg lighter as standard, and another 14 kg were removed from the car’s weight thanks to new wheels. Fabric hinges instead of internal door handles also contributed to the weight reduction: in total, the Valiant became lighter than the Valor by about a quintal.
Photo by: Aston Martin
“I wanted a Valiant, but I asked Aston Martin if I could make a few small changes – I like aerodynamic wheel fairings, I like big wings and much more. After studying my requests, the company came to the conclusion that it was easier to build a new model than to make changes to an already certified car. That’s how the Valiant story began. This car has everything that racers love – more power and less weight!
The sound of the V12 engine gives the car a special feel, I grew up with a manual transmission which is more engaging when paired with a new engine than an automatic, and the Multimatic dampers have greatly improved handling. The interior has also changed a lot, with the steering wheel, seats and centre tunnel all being changed; this has not only lowered the centre of gravity but also brought the feeling of a Formula 1 cockpit closer.
Photo by: Aston Martin
Aston Martin engineers more or less fulfilled all my wishes, although at first they responded to complex requests with a resounding “No!” to Fernando Alonso’s project.
The Spaniard was generous and shared the fruits of his labor with other customers of the brand. The Aston Martin Valiant will be produced in a limited edition of 38 units and the first deliveries to customers will begin in the fourth quarter of 2024. Well, the first and most honorable owner of a supercar has already received his car: at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, Fernando Alonso presented the car to the general public.
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