It's been 110 years since the founding of Aston Martin, and the British sports car maker is celebrating its birthday with the launch of the Valour, a front-engined, rear-wheel-drive supercar packing a 715hp 5.2-litre twin-turbocharged V12 engine.
The striking looking machine has a shape inspired by the V8 Vantage of the 1970s and 1980s, while the model will have a production run of just 110 examples, commencing in Q3 of 2023.
Bespoke running gear
While the 5.2-litre V12 is the same engine used in cars such as the Aston Martin DB11 and DBS, the Valour differentiates itself from these models because it comes with a six-speed manual gearbox. This is claimed to be a bespoke transmission for the Valour and has been optimised to make the most of the power and deal with the 753Nm of torque on offer. This is all sent to the rear wheels, where a mechanical limited-slip differential helps distribute power to the road.
The adaptive dampers, springs and anti-roll bars all have tailored settings, plus there are shear panels for the front and rear suspension and additional bracing for the rear suspension and fuel tank to help improve the car's torsional stiffness. This should help the Valour to deliver sharp handling, but Aston Martin has committed to the Valour delivering driving manners that will still be user-friendly on the road.
Stopping power comes from a carbon-ceramic brake system, which is claimed to save 23kg of unsprung weight when compared with traditional steel discs. The front discs measure 410mm in diameter and are clamped by six-piston callipers, while the rear discs measure 360mm with four-piston callipers. Aston Martin has fitted 21-inch honeycomb-design forged alloy wheels that are equipped with Michelin Pilot Sport S 5 tyres, which made their debut as OEM tyres on the new DB12. Aston Martin hasn't revealed performance figures for the Valour, but with that much power on tap, it certainly won't be slow.
Aggressive look
The Valour's bodywork is made from weight-saving carbon fibre, and the car's look draws inspiration from the muscular V8 Vantage models that the company sold in the 1970s and 1980s. One car in particular that was used for reference was a V8 Vantage that raced at the Le Mans 24 Hours in 1980, called 'The Muncher'.
Aston Martin's familiar grille is enhanced by aluminium slats, while carbon fibre air intakes feature on either side. These are flanked by round LED headlights, and a deep front splitter is fitted beneath. The aerodynamic package also includes vents for the front wings that channel air towards the rear of the car, where the upright Kamm tail helps keep the Valour glued to the road.
The taillights feature two sets of six LEDs that pay homage to the Valkyrie hypercar, while a horizontal aluminium strip divides the rear of the car in two. Down below, there is an aerodynamic diffuser, with a triple-exit exhaust poking through. The exhaust system is made from thin-walled stainless steel to help save weight but is said to still deliver the necessary aural thrills.
Retro-inspired cabin
The two-seat cabin features plenty of carbon fibre, but also has hints of the past. While the sports seats, air vents, door cards and centre console are finished in carbon fibre, the seats are trimmed in a woollen tweed fabric that's inspired by the seats in Aston's Le Mans-winning DBR1 from 1959.
The gearbox has also been made a focal point of the cabin, with an exposed linkage and different material options for the gear knob, including titanium or walnut. This is part of a number of bespoke options available, with other features including hand-painted exterior stripes offered in 21 assorted colours. If buyers want an even more bespoke experience, then Q by Aston Martin will be available to tailor a car to specific requests.
Production of the Aston Martin Valour starts in Q3 of 2023, with deliveries commencing in Q4. Prices haven't been revealed, but that limited run of 110 models means it's sure to gain collectable status overnight.