A deep dive into the Aston Martin Valiant.
In the high-octane world of Formula 1, racing drivers’ personal preferences for road cars offer a fascinating glimpse into what they value in their everyday drives. For Fernando Alonso, a two-time Formula 1 World Champion and one of the sport’s most revered figures, the ideal daily driver reflects his profound connection to motorsport. Enter the Aston Martin Valiant, a new creation from the British luxury carmaker’s bespoke Q division. Priced at a staggering $2.5 million, the Valiant represents the pinnacle of automotive excellence, blending track-ready performance with road-going luxury.
The Valiant isn’t just another limited-edition Aston Martin; it is a direct response to Fernando Alonso’s vision for the ultimate road car. Inspired by the Aston Martin Valour, the Valiant is a lighter, more aggressive iteration that channels Alonso’s desire for a car that marries motorsport DNA with a thrilling driving experience. According to Car and Driver, Alonso’s brief to the Q by the Aston Martin team was simple yet profound: “Take out mass and make it more playful, more motorsport.” The result is a car that stands as a testament to Alonso’s passion for driving and his pursuit of perfection.
From the moment you lay eyes on the Valiant, it is clear that this is no ordinary sports car. The exterior design is a masterclass in aggressive aesthetics and aerodynamic efficiency. The Valiant features a complete carbon fibre body that is both lightweight and incredibly strong, a tribute to the materials used in high-performance racing cars. The deep front splitter, flanked by prominent cooling vanes, works to press the nose to the tarmac while channelling air to keep the engine cool and enhance handling.
Scalloped side fenders and aero discs on the 21-inch magnesium wheels not only pay homage to the 1980 Aston Martin RHAM/1 “Muncher” Le Mans racer but also work in tandem with the front splitter to reduce drag and turbulence. The rear of the Valiant is equally impressive, featuring a sweeping tail with a retro fixed wing that evokes classic sports cars from the 80s and 90s. The rear diffuser, designed using Computational Fluid Dynamics, further refines the car’s aerodynamics by minimizing drag and lift, ensuring that the Valiant performs as well as it looks.
Beneath the Valiant’s striking exterior lies a range of advanced technologies designed to enhance performance and driving pleasure. The Valiant’s twin-turbocharged V12 engine, which produces 734 horsepower, is a significant upgrade from the Valour, offering a more exhilarating driving experience. This engine is paired with a six-speed manual transmission, a rare feature in modern supercars that pays homage to the pure driving experience of classic race cars.
The Valiant also incorporates several cutting-edge technologies derived from motorsport. A 3D-printed subframe, which saves six pounds without compromising rigidity, and a motorsport-spec lithium-ion battery, which shaves off an additional 19 pounds, are just two examples of how the Valiant’s design pushes the boundaries of automotive engineering. The Multimatic Adaptive Spool Valve dampers, exclusive to the Valiant, automatically adjust the suspension in less than six milliseconds, offering race-level performance for road use.
Step inside the Valiant, and you are greeted by a cockpit that reflects the car’s racing heritage. The interior features a unique shifter setup, with a polished metal stick and spherical knob rising from a raw carbon fibre bowl. The exposed mechanical housing and a slit in the tunnel that reveals the linkage to the transaxle create a semi-skeletonized transmission that exudes a hardcore, race-inspired aesthetic. The bespoke Recaro Podium seats, trimmed to perfection, and a built-in half-cage further emphasize Valiant’s “race car for the road” ethos.
Fernando Alonso’s involvement in the Valiant’s creation was not merely as a customer but as a collaborator. “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-focused, while also delivering a thrilling drive on-road,” Alonso said. His hands-on approach ensured that the Valiant was not just a car but a reflection of his passion for high-performance driving.
The Valiant will make its debut at the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed in July, where Alonso will showcase the first of only 38 examples of this ultra-limited edition car. Following the debut, customers will begin taking deliveries late this year, marking the beginning of a new chapter in luxury automotive excellence.
The Aston Martin Valiant represents more than just a high-end sports car; it is a symbol of what happens when a legendary driver’s vision aligns with a world-class manufacturer’s capabilities. With its blend of advanced technology, aggressive design, and race-bred performance, the Valiant is poised to become a highly coveted collector’s item and a testament to the heights of automotive engineering.
For those who have dreamed of owning a piece of racing history, the Valiant offers a rare opportunity to experience the very best of both road and track performance. As the first customer to take delivery of this extraordinary machine, Fernando Alonso has not only realized his dream but has also set a new standard for what a road car can be.
The Aston Martin Valiant is more than just a new addition to the luxury sports car market; it is a celebration of the fusion between motorsport and road-going excellence. Fernando Alonso’s vision for a lighter, more dynamic version of the Valour has been realized in the Valiant, resulting in a car that is both a technical marvel and a work of art. With its advanced technologies, striking design, and limited production run, the Valiant stands as a testament to what can be achieved when passion meets precision. For car enthusiasts and collectors alike, the Valiant is set to be a defining moment in the history of luxury sports cars.
As the Valiant prepares for its official debut, it offers a glimpse into the future of high-performance automotive design, driven by the legacy of a racing legend and the ingenuity of one of the world’s most prestigious car manufacturers. The Aston Martin Valiant will be officially unveiled at the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed in July, with deliveries beginning later this year.*