A reporter of Aston Martin’s 110th birthday, and the solution to a thorny problem created by Aston. The Valour’s existence owes much to a previous Aston one-off for the manual fuse-restart: the wonderful Victor.
A custom commission from a mystery Belgian buyer in 2021, Victor draped a Seventies Vantage-inspired body over the full carbon skeleton and Cosworth vitals of the One-77 supercar.
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That stunner was always hampered by its criminally laggy automatic gearbox, so for the Victor, Aston mercifully linked the actuators and paddles and supplied a six-speed manual centrepiece. We drove it. We adored it and thirsted for more. And we weren’t alone, which presented Aston Martin with a first-world problem.
What to do when there’s an unruly line of black customers pounding the factory gates, but you’ve solemnly promised the Victor owner that their car will remain unique? And besides, the One-77 chassis hardly grows on trees. Not even the Cos-ified 836-horsepower V12.
So what is the solution?
To revamp the limited-edition Aston Martin V12 Vantage from a few years ago – 333 units, all sold – with a Victor-like suit, and crucially swapping in an equally dramatic manual gearbox.
The Valor sees the 5.2-litre biturbo V12 tuned to deliver 705bhp and 555lb ft: more than a Vantage or Speedster, less than a DBS. Aston doesn’t claim 0-62mph or top speed because this isn’t a numbers car. There is no Nürburgring “this” or “that” push attached to the car. It’s a celebration of a rare recipe: big engine, manual gearbox.
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It sure looks strong…
You can see Valour’s family resemblance to Victor from every vantage point. The hooded and spooky headlights bookend a giant whalefish grille. The sweeping ducktail adorned with intricate multi-strand taillights. Spider web wheels.
It’s not a classic stylish Aston Martin. It’s brutally shaped and oddly eye-catching, with heavy-handed side skirts and an oddly high ground clearance. We love its flattened roofline with its unapologetic details, like the air vents bubbling behind the front wheel. It’s like something David Attenborough would warn you about stepping into in the Outback. “Beware the wrath of the white-spotted red-lipped poison frog.”
How much does it cost?
Over £1 million, we’re told. And of course, each of the 110 will be specified differently, so the price will only go up. For one, as seen in our gallery, with its bold lip, door roundels, high-gloss carbon and tweed seats, you’re unlikely to break even from £1.5m.
That’s a lot for a facelifted Vantage.
He didn’t push anyone. Aston Martin says all examples were snapped up within two weeks of the car’s unveiling and is now working on 38 examples of an even lighter, more powerful, aero-honed version called the Valiant, which was apparently a commission from professional meme enthusiast and part – F1 ace Fernando Alonso.
As always, if you try to rationalize the asking price for a limited edition… you’re not meant to be. This is expensive BECAUSE it is rare. Because it’s the first time a twin-turbo V12 Aston has had three pedals and a stick.
What is the decision?
“It feels like a worthy successor to the Vantage V600 of the 1990s: another heavy bruiser with more punch than was strictly advisable“
Impossible to make a reasonable case for, but equally commendable just for existing, the Valour is a very ‘Aston’ kind of Aston. After all, the DBX is vital to the bottom line and the Valkyrie is a technical showcase, but if you ask most people on the road what ‘an Aston’ is, chances are they’ll say something with a big Spitfire engine in it. front end, a rakish coupe roofline, two seats, wide fenders and nice GT credentials.
The men are in that pickup truck. In fact, it feels like a worthy successor to the Vantage V600 of the 1990s: another heavyweight bruiser with two superchargers and more than was advisable, made in small numbers for collectors who appreciated its rarity and feel. that they were buying the last one. a breed.
Hopefully, after the Valor and Valiant, Aston will continue to find room in its lineup for a car like this. Because even though technology advances and tastes change, it will never go out of style.