Aston Martin has unveiled its special limited edition model, the Valient. This new track-focused road car from Aston Martin embodies extreme rarity and a powerful presence.
Developed by Aston Martin’s bespoke division, Q by Aston Martin, this project features a 745-horsepower 5.2-liter twin-turbo V12 engine paired with a 6-speed manual transmission. It encapsulates Aston Martin’s dedication to the pure joy of driving, with only 38 units produced worldwide, all of which have been sold out.
The Valient was initiated at the personal request of Aston Martin Aramco Formula 1® team driver Fernando Alonso. Alonso sought a lighter, more extreme vehicle that was closer to a race car, based on Aston Martin’s special model, the Valour. Inspired by this request, as well as Alonso’s 23-year career and passion in Formula 1®, the Valient was born. Experts from Q by Aston Martin meticulously designed and engineered this strictly limited special edition model. Q by Aston Martin aims to create not only finely tailored special editions like the Valient and Valour but also entirely unique sports cars like the Victor.
The Valient continues Aston Martin’s legacy of providing true driving enjoyment, whether on the track or the road. This lineage includes the ultimate hypercar, the Valkyrie, as well as Aston Martin’s representative sports car, the Vantage, its sibling the Vantage GT3 race car, and the upcoming mid-engine supercar, the Valhalla. Both the Valour and Valient draw design inspiration from Aston Martin’s iconic heritage while embodying modern performance that leads the future. With top-tier power, driving dynamics, and cutting-edge technology, the Valient brings Aston Martin’s unique charm to driving enthusiasts who understand the joy of driving.
Fernando Alonso, driver of the Aston Martin Aramco Formula 1® team, stated, “Experiencing the Valour, a model commemorating Aston Martin’s 110th anniversary, sparked my desire for a model that is even closer to a racing car. The Valient is a masterpiece born from my collaboration with the Q by Aston Martin team and my passion for extreme driving, providing an exhilarating driving experience that transcends the track and road. “
The Valient embodies a continuous evolution, enhancement, and reconfiguration that pushes the boundaries of performance and engagement for the ultimate Aston Martin driver. Combining the raw styling and explosive performance reminiscent of the V12 performance era with advanced engineering, lightweight materials, and bold design, it delivers peak performance on the track while providing an exhilarating driving sensation on the road.
Marco Mattiacci, Aston Martin’s Global Brand and Business Operations Director, remarked, “The Valient is a modern masterpiece inspired by the legends of racing, realized through Q by Aston Martin with state-of-the-art F1 technology, unique materials, and extreme lightweight design. The Valient perfectly harmonizes performance, track-focused dynamics, and the intensity of a hypercar, embodying Aston Martin’s firm commitment to producing a rare and special car for true drivers.”
As a new pinnacle of Aston Martin’s special limited editions equipped with a powerful front engine, the Valient excels on the track while also receiving road approval. Its unique specifications bring joy to drivers seeking pure driving enjoyment and excitement to the most discerning. With a maximum power output of 745 horsepower and maximum torque of 753 Nm, the Aston Martin twin-turbocharged 5.2-liter V12 engine and 6-speed manual transmission come equipped with carbon ceramic brakes measuring 410mm x 38mm at the front and 360mm x 32mm at the rear, providing powerful stopping power without fade.
The Valient incorporates unique engineering techniques such as lightweight construction and chassis adjustments suitable for serious track driving. The rear subframe utilizes 3D printing to maintain stiffness while reducing weight by 3 kg, and a magnesium torque tube reduces the central vehicle weight by 8.6 kg. Additionally, lightweight 21-inch magnesium wheels utilizing front 275/35 and rear 325/30 tires enhance steering response and wheel control, reducing unsprung mass by 14 kg and employing a motorsport-spec lithium-ion battery that further reduces weight by 11.5 kg.
One of the Valient’s most significant differentiators is its use of Multimatic adaptive spool valve (ASV) dampers. The ASV system is advanced suspension technology that allows each damper to be adjusted to one of 32 individual settings simultaneously within 6 milliseconds, enabling Aston Martin engineers to fine-tune driving and handling characteristics to near perfection. The Multimatic ASV dampers applied to the Valient demonstrate motorsport-level damping control and performance ranges previously achievable only in the highest echelons of motorsport, exclusively available for the most dynamic and limited vehicles, not found in the aftermarket.
In order to maximize the new suspension settings and enhanced aerodynamic downforce, the Valient’s three driving modes (Sport, Sport+, Track) have been reconfigured to progressively enjoy the vehicle’s overall performance. Connectivity, consistency, and reliability are key, allowing drivers to forge a close bond with the vehicle to fully control and enjoy the Valient’s rich performance.
Simon Newton, Aston Martin’s Director of Vehicle Performance, stated, “The Valient is designed to enhance track performance while maintaining on-road drivability, adjusting all key areas to boost performance and provide an exhilarating experience. The V12 engine power has been raised to 745 horsepower, and the chassis setup has been perfectly tuned with Multimatic ASV dampers, increasing downforce through body redesign while reducing weight with lightweight materials and processes.” He added, “We focused on adjusting weight distribution for maximum satisfaction, perfecting the feel of the manual transmission, and ensuring enhanced handling performance is felt easily, always keeping the driver in mind so Valient owners can experience something unparalleled in any other vehicle.”
The Valient’s body exhibits intense, bold, and adventurous design features that vividly express its intentions through dramatic design. The extensive use of lightweight carbon fiber gives a fierce aesthetic that conveys powerful performance. The wide and robust body increases stability through sharply sculpted shapes, enhancing downforce and minimizing drag that impedes speed. Every aspect of the Valient is precisely sculpted, showcasing both aesthetic and aerodynamic function.
The deep front splitter of the Valient slices through the air with maximum efficiency, keeping the front end firmly planted on the road, while the unique multi-layer end plates smooth airflow around the front wheels. The new full-width carbon fiber grille located just above the splitter increases airflow for engine cooling and reduces mass in front of the axle, distributing weight centrally to enhance handling.
One of Valient’s most unique functional features is the deeply contoured side fenders paired with carbon fiber aero discs mounted on its 21-inch magnesium wheels. The extensive side sills and the upwardly protruding vortex generators in front of the rear wheel harmoniously smooth airflow along the car’s sides, decreasing turbulence, drag, and lift.
Inspired by the legendary Le Mans racer RHAM/1 ‘Muncher’ from the 1980s, the aerodisk directly attached to the lightweight forged magnesium wheels reduces turbulence and drag caused by the rotating wheels. Additionally, strategically positioned six intakes supply cooling air to the carbon ceramic brakes, maintaining optimal braking performance during track driving, while openings around the wheel circumference expel the intense heat generated by the carbon ceramic discs.
The rear design of the Valient is just as effective and dramatic as the front. The sharp Kamm tail and boldly raised deck lid are topped off with striking fixed spoilers. This balances the downforce increased by the front splitter and unmistakably showcases the Valient’s performance capabilities, forming part of the Valient’s signature design. The fixed clamshell rear also features a hinged rear screen panel for convenient storage of racing helmets and apparel.
The aerodynamic package is completed with a functional rear diffuser designed using computational fluid dynamics to effectively reduce drag and lift while employing carbon fiber to further reduce rear mass. The rear diffuser stylishly envelops the Valient’s impressive quad exhaust featuring a titanium exhaust system, maximizing the visual impact while accentuating the remarkable sound of the 745-horsepower V12 engine.
The interior of the Valient mirrors the exterior, blending race-derived functionality with flawless design befitting Aston Martin’s legacy and material utilization. The strictly two-seater cockpit is purposefully designed. The extensive use of exposed satin-finish carbon fiber underscores the Valient’s focus on lightweight materials, while the strategic placement of seat padding and meticulously tailored lightweight interior trims adds comfort, luxury, and tactility.
The Valient particularly emphasizes the connection between the driver and the vehicle. This begins with a new steering wheel. Exclusively designed for the Valient, it reflects the purity and connectivity experienced throughout the vehicle, offering an intuitive feel with a perfect circle, thinner rim, and no switches on the spokes, eliminating driving distractions.
To highlight the mechanical characteristics of the manual transmission, a cutout has been added to the transmission tunnel to expose the gear link leading to the rear of the 6-speed transaxle. The new bespoke spherical gear knob and H-pattern gearshift were developed to maximize the weight and tactile feel of gear changes.
Designed with track driving in mind, the Valient prioritizes driver comfort and safety. To this end, custom-tailored Recaro Podium seats and an integrated half-cage are included as standard. The steel half-cage features anchor points for securing a four-point racing harness. The Recaro Podium seats provide excellent lateral and shoulder support, incorporating innovative pads for natural ventilation to enhance comfort even during extreme driving.
Interior materials can be chosen between Alcantara and semi-aniline leather. The lightweight materials and textured Alcantara seat quilting, along with the Alcantara steering wheel providing maximum control, showcase the Valient’s consistent approach. The bespoke door panels focus on weight reduction through three-dimensional, intricately sculpted designs, mesh insertion panels, and lightweight fabric door handles.
Aston Martin’s Vice President and Chief Creative Officer Marek Reichman said, “The Valient is a forward-looking vehicle that reveals its intentions at first glance, a pure-bred sports car aiming for maximum joy on the track while being thoroughly usable on the road. Inspired by motorsport, its dramatic and muscular body encapsulates beautifully functional details, among which are the aero disc wheel covers reminiscent of ‘Muncher’ from Le Mans and the spectacular sound emitted by the four large titanium exhaust pipes of the Aston Martin V12 engine. “
The first deliveries of the Valient are set to begin in Q4 of this year, and it is set to debut with dynamic demonstrations at the famed hill climb course during the Goodwood Festival of Speed on July 11, 2024. One of the demonstration runs will be undertaken by Fernando Alonso, the first customer of the Valient and two-time Formula 1® World Champion.
이상진 daedusj@autodiary.kr