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Aston Martin Valour: High-end muscle vibes

Valour. [All images courtesy: Aston Martin]

 

 

James Bond's favorite carmaker Aston Martin has given a street-muscle vibe with throwback styling to its latest limited-edition creation. Inspired by the original 1970s V8 Vantage and some other Aston Martin creations, the two-seat 705-hp Valour features a twin-turbo 5.2-L V12 with 555 lb-ft of torque, manual transmission, and powerful prowler looks. The car helps mark Aston Martin's 110th anniversary with an exclusive edition of 110 units available worldwide.

Aston Martin has not released other performance numbers yet, but Car And Driver says, "Valour seems likely to post similar numbers to the DBS Superleggera that lurks underneath. That would mean a 60 mph run in the mid-3.0-second range and a top speed north of 200 mph."

Valour features a broad stance and a highly developed physique. Made entirely from carbon fiber, the bodywork marries Aston Martin's contemporary design language with instantly recognizable cues from the iconic 1970s V8 Vantage. The result is bold and unmistakable from any angle.

The clamshell hood features a large horseshoe vent and twin NACA ducts to provide ample ventilation for the twin-turbocharged V12 that sits beneath. Aston Martin's iconic grille shape has been evolved to enhance both form and function. Its central section is defined by aluminum strakes, while large carbon fiber intakes on either side feed the engine and brakes with cool air. They also frame the classically inspired, unique round LED headlights, which sit beneath the rakish eyebrow-like grille with menacing effect.

The prominent front splitter and front fender vents incorporated into Valour's flanks work in harmony with the rear screen panel's vortex-generating exoblades, elegantly upswept Kamm tail, and prominent diffuser to achieve aerodynamic balance.

The rear end also features a dramatic tail-light graphic, with clusters of LED light blades (six on each side) echoing the brand's Valkyrie hypercar. A full-width aluminum accent, milled from a solid billet and polished to a flawless finish, delineates the rear end, separating the upper and lower sections to dramatic effect.

Positioned between the deep elements of the rear diffuser is the centerpiece of Valour's eye-catching rear design: a triple tailpipe exhaust system fabricated from lightweight stainless steel. With a wall thickness of less than 1 mm, this special tubing makes for 7-kg of weight savings versus a traditional system, yet it emits a gloriously heavyweight soundtrack.

Valour is the only front-engined V12 sports car available with a manual transmission (rear-mounted six-speed). It boasts the brawn so typical of Aston Martin's ultimate sports cars -- machines like the 1990's twin supercharged V600 Vantage (for a time the world's most powerful production car) and the exquisite One-77 supercar. The car's intense driver-centric character gets much of its DNA directly from Aston Martin's 2021 one-off Victor.

"A big part of honoring that driver-pleasing character was mating our fabulous V12 engine to a manual transmission," said Simon Newton, Aston Martin's director of Vehicle Performance. "It was a unique part of the brief, and the end result is something truly unforgettable; a state-of-the-art driver's car that thrives on being pushed to its limits and has the true heart and soul of a timeless analogue classic."

Benefitting from a unique powertrain calibration, Valour's impressive power and torque outputs are unrestrained, offering the driver full performance and utmost control in every gear. A mechanical limited-slip differential enhances the sense of direct connection between car and driver, with the added support and reassurance of electronic traction and stability control systems. Valour sports a bespoke suspension, with adaptive dampers, springs, and anti-roll bars all honed specifically to the car. Wheel alignment geometry has dedicated camber, castor, and toe settings.

Valour's Driving Modes (Sport, Sport+, and Track) have also been tuned to offer meticulously judged throttle response, torque management, and sound character.

The car's custom body structure features front and rear shear panels, a rear suspension tower strut brace, and fuel tank bracing. These elements maximize both torsional and lateral stiffness, providing the suspension with an optimized 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 an even greater sense of feel, connection, and immediacy.

With standard-fit carbon ceramic brakes, Valour has ample stopping power courtesy of front discs measuring 410 mm x 38 mm and gripped by 6-piston calipers. At the rear, 360-mm x 32-mm discs are paired with 4-piston calipers. Offering increased braking performance and a significant 23-kg reduction in un-sprung mass vs. steel brakes, these CCB discs are engineered to resist brake fade at temps up to 800 degrees, enabling the driver to explore Valour's full performance potential with maximum confidence and precise control.

Completing Valour's impressive hardware package are a set of beautiful 21-in. lightweight forged alloy Honeycomb wheels, which are fitted with the very latest AML-specific Michelin Pilot Sport S 5 tires -- 275/35 R21 front tires and 325/30 R21 on the rear -- for inspired handling and road holding in wet or dry conditions.

Inside, Valour's two-seater cockpit is a no-nonsense affair marked by simplicity and seductive tactility. Central to this is the manual transmission gear lever. With a choice of machined aluminum, titanium, carbon fiber, or walnut for the gear knob, and an exposed shift mechanism to emphasize the mechanical connection, Valour aims to deliver a physical and emotional engagement to the road.

Masterful use of materials has long been an Aston Martin hallmark, so it's no surprise to find Valour's interior shines with original and highly effective combinations from which customers can create their own unique specification. For example, traditional woolen tweed inspired by the seat coverings of Aston Martin's 1959 Le Mans-winning DBR1 provide a wonderful contrast against the high-tech weave of carbon fiber used to form the shells of Valour's lightweight performance seats, bespoke door cards, fascia air vents, upper center console, and transmission tunnel.

Further personalization comes in the form of a flexible method of livery customization. Separating Valour's body into four areas (front, bonnet, sides, and rear), clients can choose from an extensive array of hand-painted stripes and graphics designs that can be applied in any one of 21 paint colors.

Aston Martin has not released pricing, but the word on the street is Valour will start at $1,500,000. First delivers should be in Q4 of this year.

Learn more at astonmartin.com/en-us/models/valour.

Source: Aston Martin, Car And Driver (performance estimates)

Published August 2023

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