The newest addition to the Aston Martin line-up is meant to mark two significant milestones for the British brand: its 110th anniversary, as well as the end of a long run for its V-12 engine line-up.
Only 110 of the “ultra-exclusive Aston Martin Valour sportscars will be built, the automaker announced Tuesday. While it won’t reveal pricing until closer to production later this year, it’s safe to bet it won’t come cheap considering “Valour’s rarity ensures it will be amongst the most collectable of all Aston Martins.”
Describing the new model as a “modern icon that fuses classic character with contemporary execution,” Aston Martin CEO 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 revitalized brand.”
Classic “bloodline”
Aston looked into its design archive when it began working up the Valour. Its “bloodline” draws inspiration from the original V8 Vantage, as well as the Vantage-based “Muncher” that raced at Le Mans in 1980. Other inspirations include the twin-supercharged V600 Vantage of the 1990s, as well as the Aston Martin One-77 supercar that debuted at the Paris Motor Show in 2008.
Powering the Valour, Aston turned to a specially tuned version of its twin-turbo 5.2-liter V-12. As with key competitors, the British marque is getting ready to sunset that engine to reflect increasingly stringent emissions and mileage standards.
Under the clamshell bonnet — or hood, if you prefer — of the Valour, the engine punches out an impressive 715 PS and 753 Nm. For the metrically challenged, that works out to 705 horsepower and 555 pound-feet of torque.
Manual gearbox
The V-12 is paired with what Aston describes as a “bespoke” version of its 6-speed manual transmission. In fact, Valour will be the only V-12 vehicle on the road to offer a V-12 and manual combination.
A mechanical limited-slip differential helps assure power goes to the pavement, and drivers will be able to choose between three driving modes: Sport, Sport+ and Track.
“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,” Simon Newton, Aston Martin’s director of Vehicle Performance, said in a statement.
Design
To let the 12-banger breathe, Valour features a yawning version of the familiar Aston Martin grille, along with a horseshoe vent on the bonnet, er, hood. The grille is surrounded by retro-styled round headlamps.
A sweeping roofline flows into a ducktail spoiler. Distinctive louvers covering the back glass help improve aerodynamics, though they also reduce visibility.
To enhance performance and handling, Valour offers front and rear shear panels, a rear suspension tower strut brace and fuel-tank bracing. It also boasts a new steering system which, Aston claims, “removes unwanted sources of compliance to give the driver even greater sense of detailed feel, connection and immediacy.”
Timing
Valour’s cabin features traditional woolen tweed seat coverings inspired by Aston’s 1959 Le Mans-winning DBR1. That contrasts high-tech carbon fiber seat shells, door panels and other interior and exterior details.
Buyers also can opt to have the Valour extensively customized by Aston’s bespoke “Q” division.
Production of the Aston Martin Valour is set to begin during the third quarter of 2023, with deliveries to follow before year-end.