In celebration of its 110th anniversary Aston Martin has unveiled the Valour, a spectacular, ultra-exclusive special edition built to honour a long tradition of front-engined sports cars.
Aimed squarely at those who relish a truly involved driving experience, Valour’s commitment to era-defining performance and stimulation is second to none. The only front-engined V12 sports car available with a manual transmission, its purist approach is unique in 2023 and a thrilling tribute to a golden era of driving.
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Motivated by this rich heritage, Valour has been realised using the very latest technology, methods and materials. Both a glorious throwback and contemporary masterpiece, Valour is the best of Aston Martin past and present and takes its inspiration from both the original V8 Vantage and magnificent Vantage-based RHAM/1 ‘Muncher’ Le Mans racer from 1980.
With production limited to just 110 cars, the Valour sees the epic 715PS/753Nm twin-turbocharged 5.2-litre V12 combined with a bespoke six-speed manual transmission for the very first time. Benefitting from a unique powertrain calibration, Valour’s immense power and torque offer the driver full performance and utmost control in every gear. A mechanical limited-slip differential enhances the sense of direct analogue connection between car and driver, while electronic traction and stability control systems as well as unique driving modes offer meticulously judged throttle response, torque management and sound character.
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Underlining its dynamic credentials Valour, a road car first and foremost, has received a bespoke suspension, with adaptive dampers, springs and anti-roll bars all honed specifically to the car, while the wheel alignment geometry has dedicated camber, castor and toe settings, ensuring a sporting balance of taut, precise vertical body control and resolute resistance to roll.
Made entirely from carbon fibre, the bodywork marries Aston Martin’s contemporary design language with instantly recognisable cues from the iconic 1970s V8 Vantage. The result is bold and unmistakable from any angle. The clamshell bonnet features a large ‘horse shoe’ vent and twin NACA ducts, while the iconic grille shape has been evolved to enhance both form and function and is now defined by aluminium strakes, while large carbon fibre intakes on either side feed the engine and brakes with cool air.
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Modern aerodynamic thinking has been effortlessly incorporated into the design, with expert management of the airflow optimising stability while achieving a uniquely assertive design. The prominent front splitter and front fender vents incorporated into Valour’s flanks work in harmony with the rear screen panel’s featuring vortex generating exoblades, and elegantly upswept Kamm tail and prominent diffuser to achieve aerodynamic balance.
Valour’s custom body structure also features front and rear shear panels, a rear suspension tower strut brace and fuel tank bracing, all of which maximise both torsional and lateral stiffness, providing the suspension with an optimised platform in order to deliver more precise body control and increased refinement. In addition, a new steering system removes unwanted sources of compliance to give the driver even greater sense of detailed feel, connection and immediacy.
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Standard-fit carbon ceramic brakes offer increased braking performance and a significant 23kg reduction in un-sprung mass versus steel brakes, enabling the driver to explore Valour’s full performance potential with maximum confidence and precise control. Completing Valour’s impressive credentials is a set of beautiful 21-inch lightweight forged alloy ‘Honeycomb’ wheels, fitted with AML-specific Michelin Pilot Sport S 5 tyres for inspired handling and road-holding in wet or dry conditions.
Valour also features a timeless two-seater cockpit of uncommon simplicity and seductive tactility. Central to this is the manual transmission gear lever. With a choice of machined aluminium, titanium, carbon fibre or walnut for the gearknob, and an exposed shift mechanism to emphasise the mechanical connection, Valour majors on delivering the physical and emotional engagement that has been lost to progress.
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In addition, Valour’s interior shines with original and highly effective combinations from which customers can create their own unique specification, including traditional woollen tweed, inspired by the seat coverings of Aston Martin’s 1959 Le Mans-winning DBR1, and high-tech carbon fibre weave used to form the shells of Valour’s lightweight performance seats. Owners may choose from an extensive array of hand-painted stripes and graphics designs, which can be applied in any one of 21 paint colours.
The first deliveries are scheduled to begin during Q4 2023.
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