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Aston Martin Valour reworked as new track-ready hardcore Valiant
Third "evolutionary" model after the Victor and Valour retains the twin-turbo V12 and manual gearbox, along with a limited production run.
Compared to the Valour it is based on, the Valiant recieves a restyled front facia and a prominent carbon fibre spitter meant to aid aerodynamics. Image: Aston Martin
Billed as an “ultra-exclusive track-focused, road-legal special edition of extraordinary rarity”, Aston Martin has debuted yet another Victor spin-off of which only 38 will produced from the fourth quarter of this year.
Essentially an aerodynamically heavy-laden version of the Valour introduced last year, the Valiant takes styling hints from the Vantage GT3 race car to create what Gaydon refers to as “true driving intensity both on-road and on-track”.
Aero wash
Said to have received input from current Aston Martin Formula 1 driver, two-time champion Fernando Alonso, the Valiant’s biggest change from the Valour involves a redesigned rear facia complete with a new aerofoil that works in conjunction with the new carbon fibre front splitter to improve downforce at speed.
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In addition to a bigger grille supposed to aid cooling, new vents, a quad-outlet titanium exhaust system and an enlarged carbon fibre diffuser, Aston Martin has furnished the Valiant with wider side skirts and 21-inch magnesium alloy wheels with carbon fibre discs it says this pays homage to the DBS RHAM/1 that raced three times at the 24 Hours of Le Mans with a best place finish of 17th overall in 1977.
Designed to improve brake cooling, the discs also reduce turbulence and drag, according to Aston Martin, while working in tandem with the integrated vents behind the wheel arches dubbed vortex generators.
Chassis ‘race-prepped’
Compared to the Valour, the Valiant’s chassis has also been subjected to a series of revisions, namely a magnesium torque tube weighing 8.6 kg less, a lighter by three kilograms 3D rear subframe, retuned steering, and Adaptive Spool Valve dampers from renowned Canadian engineering firm, Multimatic.
In addition to a 14 kg reduction in unsprung mass as a result of the wheels, the Valiant receives a lightweight lithium-ion battery to save 11.5 kg and carbon ceramic brakes utilising a 410 mm disc design at the front and 360 mm at the rear.
Although carried over from the Valour, the settings for the Valiant’s drive mode selector have also been overhauled, yet still include three options; Sport, Sport+ and Track. Also kept is the mechanical limited-slip differential.
Marvel the lever
Inside, the Valiant’s interior has undergone a series of tweaks to differentiate itself from the Valour, the main drawing card is an open-gate design for the six-speed manual that exposes the linkage and most of the mechanism.
As a means of reducing weight further, exposed satin carbon fibre features, along with so-called ‘debossed’ Alcantara or semi-aniline leather Recaro Podium seats and trim, fabric door pulls instead of handles, mesh pattern inserts on the doors and a new slim-rim steering wheel not offered on any other Aston Martin.
Finally, a standard half-steel roll cage plus a four-point racing harness rounds the Valiant’s interior off.
V12 and manual reunite
On the power front, the Mercedes-AMG sourced 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12 used in the Victor and Valour has again been retained, but reworked by Aston’s bespoke Q customisation division to produce 548kW/753Nm.
As with the Valour, the 22 kW uptake in power has not resulted in Aston Martin revealing either the top speed or 0-100 km/h acceleration times.
Goodwood bound
Confirmed to make its public showing at next month’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, no details surrounding the Valiant’s pricing were made, although according to motor1.com, estimation points to a sticker of around £2-million (R46.3-million).
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