Aston Martin has unleashed its latest exclusive limited edition hypercar – the £2million Valiant.
Described as track-focused but road-legal, the F1-derived Valiant is an extreme two-seater powered by 745 horsepower 5.2 litre twin-turbocharged V12 engine.
Described as a ‘champion of pure driving passion’, there will be just 38 Aston Martin Valiants built for customers around the globe – and all are already sold out.
A Valiant effort: Feast your eyes on Aston Martin’s new limited edition hypercar. It costs £2million and just 38 are being built
First deliveries will be in autumn this year following Valiant’s public debut at next month’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, with Aston Martin F1 driver Fernando Alonso – and first customer – driving it up the famous Hill Climb course.
Although no performance figures have been issued, expect 0-to-60mph acceleration in around three seconds and a top speed in excess of 200mph.
With its spectacular aerodynamic carbon fibre bodywork and four large diameter titanium exhaust pipes at the rear, the Valiant originated from a personal commission by Aston’s F1 driver Alonso and was developed through the British firm’s bespoke ‘Q by Aston Martin’ division.
And should you be in any doubt about its bad boy credentials, the accompanying launch video carries the strapline: ‘For your sins.’
Described as track-focused but road-legal, the F1-derived Valiant is an extreme two-seater powered by 745 horsepower 5.2 litre twin-turbocharged V12 engine
Described as a ‘champion of pure driving passion’, there will be just 38 Aston Martin Valiants built for customers around the globe – and all are already sold out
First deliveries will be in autumn this year following Valiant’s public debut at next month’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, with Aston Martin F1 driver Fernando Alonso – and first customer – driving it up the famous Hill Climb course
Using cutting edge materials and technology, the stunning styling reimagines the legendary 1980 Aston Martin Le Mans racer dubbed ‘Muncher’.
The potent 5.2 litre twin-turbocharged V12 engine was also used in the 2016 DB11 coupe – but much more horsepower is being squeezed out of the Valiant version.
Aston Martin said the ferocious front-engined Valiant has been developed to deliver its best on-track, while remaining fully homologated for road use.
Ditching any pretence of understatement, Aston said: ‘Combining the brutal style and blistering performance of a bygone evocative era of brutal V12 performance with state-of-the-art contemporary engineering, lightweight materials and spectacular design, Valiant pushes the boundaries of performance and engagement to evolve, intensify and reimagine the ultimate Aston Martin driver’s car.
‘One born to thrive on the racetrack and thrill on the road.’
Fortunately, Valiant also features standard-fit carbon ceramic brakes to ensure ‘immense fade-free stopping power’.
The aerodynamic carbon fibre body reduces weight and increases downforce: ‘Every inch of the Valiant’s immaculately sculpted form serves an aesthetic and aerodynamic function,’ says Aston.
A series of innovative engineering solutions help reduce weight further, including the adoption of a 3D-printed rear subframe saves 3kg with no reduction in stiffness.
Riding on lightweight 21-inch magnesium wheels helps improve steering response and wheel control and saves 14kg. A motorsport-spec lithium-ion battery saves a further 11.5kg.
The minimalist, pared-back, lightweight interior enhances driver connection and driver.
For the more technically-minded, Aston Martin says the most influential change in the character of Valiant comes from fitting motor sport-level Multimatic Adaptive Spool Valve (ASV) suspension, which simultaneously adjusts each damper in less than six milliseconds.
This provides engineers with ‘almost limitless scope for tuning ride and handling characteristics’.
Although no performance figures have been issued, expect 0-to-60mph acceleration in around three seconds and a top speed in excess of 200mph
With its spectacular aerodynamic carbon fibre bodywork and four large diameter titanium exhaust pipes at the rear, the Valiant originated from a personal commission by Aston’s F1 driver Alonso and was developed through the British firm’s bespoke ‘Q by Aston Martin’ division
The potent 5.2 litre twin-turbocharged V12 engine was also used in the 2016 DB11 coupe – but much more horsepower is being squeezed out of the Valiant
Aston Martin said the Valiant was created to ‘appeal to true driving connoisseurs’ – and clearly those who can afford the £2m price tag.
It noted: ‘Valiant was originally conceived from a personal commission from Aston Martin Aramco F1 team driver, Fernando Alonso for a lightweight, more extreme, race car inspired version of the spectacular, Aston Martin Valour.
‘It embodies Aston Martin’s commitment to building pure driver’s cars. Production is strictly limited to just 38 cars globally with all fully allocated.’
The company based at Gaydon in Warwickshire says Valiant continues a long tradition and strong lineage of Aston Martins developing highly collectable special edition models and cars that ‘deliver true driving intensity both on-road and on-track’.
It cited the hypercar Valkyrie, Vantage sports car, the Vantage GT3 race car, the retro-inspired Valour, and forthcoming Valhalla mid-engine supercar, as examples of its limited run specials in recent years.
Valiant’s interior combines race-bred functionality and eye-catching design flourishes. The strictly two-seat cockpit features extensive use of exposed satin-finish carbon fibre underpinning Valiant’s focus on lightweight material
To highlight the mechanical nature of the manual gearbox, a cutaway in the transmission tunnel exposes the gear linkage running rearward to the six-speed transaxle
This isn’t a stripped-out spartan track car. Strategic placement of seat padding and finely-tailored, lightweight upholstery add targeted comfort, luxury and tactility
Riding on lightweight 21-inch magnesium wheels helps improve steering response and wheel control and saves 14kg. A motorsport-spec lithium-ion battery saves a further 11.5kg
Valiant’s interior combines race-bred functionality and eye-catching design flourishes. The strictly two-seat cockpit features extensive use of exposed satin-finish carbon fibre underpinning Valiant’s focus on lightweight material.
But it’s not totally Spartan. Strategic placement of seat padding and finely-tailored, lightweight upholstery add targeted comfort, luxury and tactility.
To highlight the mechanical nature of the manual gearbox, a cutaway in the transmission tunnel exposes the gear linkage running rearward to the six-speed transaxle.
As driver comfort and safety are paramount for track use, Valiant features a built-in half-cage as-standard together with bespoke trimmed Recaro Podium seats.
Aston F1 driver and first customer Fernando Alonso said: ‘Valiant is born from my passion for driving at the limit and I have enjoyed working closely with the Q by Aston Martin team on both the design and technical specification and believe we have created a masterpiece.’
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