Aston Martin Valiant: a V12-powered, road-legal track monster

• New Aston Martin Valiant debuts
• Inspired by a commission from F1 driver Fernando Alonso
• Highly custom special edition is limited to just 38 examples
• Features 745hp V12 engine and a six-speed manual gearbox
• The lightweight, track-going version of the Aston Martin Valour
• Still road-legal and infinitely customisable

Aston Martin’s bespoke ‘Q’ service has created a new, track-focused version of the already hyper-exclusive Valour supercar. Named the Valiant, it’s a totally bespoke special edition, and while it’s homologated for road use its focus is firmly on supremacy on the racetrack.

The Valiant was inspired by a personal commission from two-time F1 world champion Fernando Alonso, who conceived of a more lightweight and extreme version of the already pretty bananas Valour.

Aston Martin Valiant: engine and performance

The Valiant uses the same 5.2-litre twin-turbocharged V12 engine as the Valour, which is based on that of the DBS. However, while the Valour has 715hp, the Valiant turns it all the way up to a mammoth 745hp.

All that power is channelled to the tarmac not through an automatic gearbox as you might expect, but through a six-speed manual transmission for maximum driver engagement and satisfaction for true automotive purists. With 753Nm of torque – as much as a Porsche 911 GT2 RS – performance should be staggering, though Aston Martin hasn’t revealed any stats just yet.

Several changes have been made to the Valiant from the Valour, to improve its performance on track. First is the edition of fade-free carbon ceramic brakes, to improve stopping power especially in longer races.

Lightweighting is the order of the day, with a 3D-printed rear subframe removing 3kg of mass with no reduction in stiffness and lightweight magnesium components reducing weight further. The magnesium wheels – 21-inches in diameter – lop an impressive 14kg off the car’s unsprung weight, while a motorsport-spec battery takes a further 11.5kg.

Aston’s also fitted state-of-the-art Multimatic dampers in the suspension system. They can adjust to one of 32 settings in just six milliseconds, giving the Valiant true motorsport-spec control over its ride and handling.

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.”

Aston Martin Valiant bodywork and styling

The dramatic-looking Valiant shares its shape and overall aesthetic with the Valour – with design cues harking back to the original V8 Vantage in the grille and round headlights. However, it also takes inspiration from the prototype RHAM/1 racer, affectionately known as “The Muncher”.

A deep front splitter keeps the Valiant’s nose close to the tarmac, while the heavily scalloped side fenders and carbonfibre aero discs fitted to the wheels are directly inspired by the Muncher. There’s also a rather impressive fixed rear wing and a dramatic functional rear diffuser.

Round the rear you’ll also find the Valiant’s quad-pipe titanium exhaust system, which is designed to get the most drama possible from the car’s V12 engine.

Inside, design meets function with lots of satin-finish carbonfibre reminding you of the car’s construction. The Valiant’s racing seats are body-hugging and lightly padded, while a perfectly round steering wheel with a slim rim and no switchgear aims to provide the maximum connection for the driver with zero distractions.

The highlight inside, though, is the manual transmission. The central tunnel is cut away, exposing the gear linkage running rearward to the six-speed ‘box, while a simple spherical gearknob sits on top. It’s a beautiful display of mechanical engineering.

Aston Martin Valiant: when can I buy one?

Unless you’re extremely wealthy, you can’t – the Aston Martin Valour costs in excess of £1m (though most cost far more than that after they’d been through Aston Martin’s bespoke Q service) so expect the Valiant to exceed that further.

With just 38 examples set to be produced, you’ll need to be a very select sort of customer to be allowed to buy one, too. However, if you want to see the Valiant in person, it’ll make its public debut at the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed, being driven by Fernando Alonso.

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