A V12 monster with a 6-speed manual transmission is a rare sight anywhere these days, and Aston Martin keeps finding ways to surprise us all. A highly-collectible special edition model, the Aston Martin Valiant will be limited to just 38 units, so unless you’re filthy rich or really really lucky, we doubt you’ll be getting behind the wheel of this one soon.
On first impressions, the Valiant clearly looks inspired by the Valour, and also seems to have traces of a certain American pony as well. Like the Valour, the Valiant also gets carbonfibre bodywork to keep things as light as possible. The rear sub-frame is 3D printed, which is said to reduce weight by 3 kg without sacrificing any stiffness, while a magnesium torque tube reduces mass at the centre point of the car by 8.6 kg. 21-inch magnesium alloy rims on all fours, and a motorsport-spec battery further drop the scale down to 25.5 kg.
The 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12 from the Valour makes its way here, and power has now been ramped up to 734 bhp, while torque remains the same at 74.9 kgm. The British car maker didn’t specify 0-100 kph times, but it has deployed carbon ceramic brakes as standard, which you will obviously need when you’re coming to a halt in a car like this.
Aston Martin says the biggest change is to the suspension setup, now featuring what it refers to as Multimatic Adaptive Spool Valve. The car maker says this system is ‘capable of simultaneously adjusting each damper to one of thirty-two discreet damper curves in less than six milliseconds.’ Sounds similar to what’s on the Ferrari Purosangue. The pre-set driving modes have also been recalibrated.
The insides too highlight the mad nature of this car, prioritizing performance over comfort. You’ll find a half-cage and bespoke Recaro Podium seats, along with a cutaway in the transmission tunnel, leaving the gear linkage exposed. The half-cage provides an anchor to allow four-point harness race seatbelts to be fitted, and the interiors can be swathed in either Alcantara or semi-aniline leather upholstery.
Now, unless you’re either filthy rich, really lucky, or Fernando Alonso himself, you simply won’t get behind the wheel of this one.
