We have seen some bespoke Aston Martin cars but this one ups the ante even further with an edgy design along with being manual of course. This is a V12 Aston Martin with a specification that has been ordered by none other than Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team driver Fernando Alonso. Hence, it is an Ultra-exclusive, track-focused, road-legal extreme Valiant special edition developed through bespoke service, Q by Aston Martin. However, if you like what you see, you too can get one of these bewinged monsters with 38 units being made globally and the first deliveries to commence in Q4 2024. Yes, it looks like the earlier bespoke Aston Martin cars like the Valour which it is. The Valiant is essentially a personal commission from Fernando Alonso for a lightweight, more extreme, version of the Aston Martin Valour.
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team driver said: “Valour was a spectacular celebration of Aston Martin’s 110th anniversary, and stirred me to create a more extreme, race car inspired version that was track focussed, while also delivering a thrilling drive on-road. 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.”
True to his word, the Valiant is a fully homologated race car for the road while drenched in exotic materials. Of course, the talking point here is the twin-turbocharged 5.2-litre V12 engine – which now develops 745PS and 753Nm of torque – and six-speed manual transmission. The Valiant also features standard-fit Carbon Ceramic brakes measuring 410mm x 38mm front and 360mm x 32mm rear.
Reducing the weight has been the main agenda here with a 3D-printed rear subframe which saves 3kg with no reduction in stiffness, along with a magnesium torque tube that reduces mass at the center point of the car by 8.6kg. Peer closer and you will see Lightweight 21-inch magnesium wheels – with 275/35 front and 325/30 rear tires, which further save weight by 14kg. You even get a motorsport-spec lithium-ion battery saving 11.5kg.
There is a new suspension too involving the fitment of Multimatic Adaptive Spool Valve (ASV) dampers plus pre-set Driving Modes – Sport, Sport+, and Track.
The interior is pared back, just like how a racing car driver would like with an exposed satin-finish carbon fiber and lightweight upholstery. The Valiant also gets a new steering wheel which is perfectly round with a slimmer-diameter rim and spokes devoid of switches for an intuitive feel and zero distractions.
A lovely touch showcasing the analog nature of this car has been preserved via the cutaway in the transmission tunnel exposing the gear linkage running rearward to the six-speed transaxle. Built for track use, the Valiant has a built-in half-cage as standard together with bespoke trimmed Recaro Podium seats.
Of course, there are also bespoke door panels that feature a sculpted design with mesh insert panels to reduce weight, along with lightweight fabric door release pulls.
Even the exterior is wrought with many intricate details including the distinctive Kamm tail and the upswept deck lid topped by a fixed wing. A fixed, one-piece clamshell rear features a hinged rear screen panel, allowing access to a load space for race helmets and race clothing.
In hindsight, the Valiant is one of the last of the racers for the road along with an analogue V12 howling away while being the dream specification of an F1 Driver is the icing on top of a delectable cake.
