Marketing Manager - Bridge Classic Cars
To celebrate its 110th anniversary, Aston Martin has revealed the Valour – a stunning V12-powered, ultra-exclusive, special edition sports car that has been built for maximum driver experience and timeless classic appeal.
The Valour is directly aimed at the purists who want to enjoy a truly involved driving experience. There is no doubt that Aston Martin’s commitment to giving the Valour era-defining performance and stimulation has been a priority throughout the design and build process. As the only front-engined V12 sports car available with a manual transmission, it really does offer a drive like nothing else.
Aston Martin developed the Valour using the very latest technology, methods, and materials, all fused together in something of a tribute to Aston Martin’s greatest front-engined models. Said to be the antidote to the modern cars that aim to isolate drivers from the process of driving, the Valour goes against the grain when it comes to the current car market.
Inspired by the original V8 Vantage and the incredible Vantage-based RHAM/1 ‘Muncher’ Le Mans racer from 1980, the Valour’s design and flawless execution is a nod to the One-77 supercar, while its intense driver-centric character creates a connection between the Valour and the one-off Victor.
Production is limited to just 110 cars globally meaning it will be amongst the most collectible of all Aston Martins. To make the Valour even more appealing, it mates the 715PS/753Nm twin-turbocharged 5.2-litre V12 to a bespoke six-speed manual transmission for the very first time.
Aston Martin Executive Chairman, Lawrence Stroll said: “Valour is a celebration of Aston Martin’s passion for driving and extraordinary heritage, but it is also emblematic of today’s vibrant and revitalised brand. A modern icon that fuses classic character with contemporary execution, Valour captures the essence of excitement and exclusivity that defines this storied automotive marque. A showcase for our world-class design, engineering and manufacturing capabilities, Valour is further proof of Aston Martin’s position as the driver’s champion and maker of the world’s most exciting, exclusive and desirable ultra-luxury high-performance cars’.
Aston Martin Valour Specifications
With a unique powertrain calibration, power and torque outputs are unrestrained and offer full performance and control in every gear. A mechanical limited-slip differential, electronic traction and stability control systems, along with multiple driving modes make driving the Valour a memorable experience.
Designed to be predominantly a road car, the Valour has a bespoke suspension, with adaptive dampers, springs, and anti-roll bars that have all been honed specifically to the car. The custom body structure features front and rear shear panels, a rear suspension tower strut brace and fuel tank bracing – all of which maximise torsional and lateral stiffness allowing the suspension the best possible platform to deliver precise body control.
With standard-fit Carbon Ceramic Brakes, Valour has ample stopping power courtesy of front discs measuring 410mm x 38mm and gripped by 6-piston callipers. At the rear, 360mm x 32mm discs are paired with 4-piston callipers. Offering increased braking performance and a significant 23kg reduction in un-sprung mass versus steel brakes, these CCB discs are engineered to resist brake fade at temperatures up to 800 degrees, enabling the driver to explore Valour’s full performance potential with maximum confidence and precise control.
Completing Valour’s impressive hardware package are a set of 21” lightweight forged alloy ‘Honeycomb’ wheels, which are fitted with the very latest AML-specific Michelin Pilot Sport S 5 tyres – 275/35 R21 front tyres and 325/30 R21 on the rear.
Simon Newton, Aston Martin’s Director of Vehicle Performance, said: “Inspired by the iconic, muscle cars from our past, we have endowed Valour with an abundance of power and torque while using modern technology and engineering to make that performance more exploitable and enjoyable. A big part of honouring that driver-pleasing character was mating our fabulous V12 engine to a manual transmission. It was a unique part of the brief and the end result is something truly unforgettable; a state-of-the-art driver’s car that thrives on being pushed to its limits and has the true heart and soul of a timeless analogue classic’.
Interior
The two-seater cockpit of the Valour is simply designed but offers timeless style and luxury. A choice of machined aluminium, titanium, carbon fibre or walnut for the gearknob is offered to pair with the exposed shift mechanism.
The masterful use of materials has long been an Aston Martin hallmark, so it should come as no surprise that Valour’s interior features original combinations from which customers can create their own unique specifications. For example, traditional woollen tweed, inspired by the seat coverings of Aston Martin’s 1959 Le Mans-winning DBR1, can provide a stunning contrast against the high-tech weave of carbon fibre used to form the shells of Valour’s lightweight performance seats, bespoke door cards, fascia air vents, upper centre console and transmission tunnel.
Further customisation is also offered in the form of livery. Separating Valour’s body into four areas – front, bonnet, sides and rear – customers can choose from an extensive range of hand-painted stripes and graphics designs, which can be applied in any one of 21 paint colours.
Despite these generous customisation options, if a customer wants to go beyond the standard Valour options then they can call upon the services of Q by Aston Martin to create a truly bespoke specification. Examples of this include the design of a one-off livery, fully exposed 2×2 twill carbon fibre bodywork with a choice of a red, blue or green tint, painted wheels, Mokume carbon fibre interior detailing or a choice of Johnsons of Elgin tweed and cashmere fabrics for the seats and headlining.
Miles Nurnberger, Aston Martin’s Director of Design, said: “At Aston Martin, our design is always progressive, but when it comes to celebrating a significant milestone – in this instance our 110th birthday – we allow ourselves a little latitude. Consequently, Valour is gloriously unapologetic; an old-school brute refined and reimagined through the lens of 2023. Making a return to a chiselled shape, moving away from the more sculptural forms that define current series production Aston Martin’s, with bold details and modern materials rooted in the present. We were keen to ensure its looks reflect the driving experience. The raw physicality of the shape should tell you all you need to know about the ferocious performance and analogue thrills of taming a 715PS manual transmission sports car, yet the clear use of the latest technology points to a car with modern manners and exceptional dynamic capabilities”.
Valour production is set to begin at Aston Martin’s Gaydon Headquarters in Q3 of 2023, with the first deliveries scheduled to begin during Q4 of 2023. The Valour looks to become one of the most coveted cars in Aston Martin’s unrivalled catalogue of front-engined special series sports cars. Valour isn’t just a precious collector’s piece though, this is a car that demands to be driven.
