The Aston Martin Valour Is An Awesomely Old-School V12 Muscle Car
The British marque is unleashing a 705-horsepower beast with a six-speed manual transmission.
In 2020, the one-off Victor answered the question, “What if Aston Martin designed a muscle car?” Turns out that brutish coupe was more than just an exercise in experimental British automotive design.
Unveiled at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in celebration of Aston’s 110th anniversary, the Valour is essentially the production version of the Victor, as Road & Track points out.
Its lines still hark to the 1970/80s-era V8 Vantage, with a massive open grille, round headlights, beefy front splitter, ducktail spoiler and robust rear haunches—decidedly distinct from anything in Aston’s modern stable.
It does borrow the twin-turbo 5.2-liter V12 used in the DB11, V12 Vantage, and DBS Superleggera, tuned in the Valour to produce 705 horsepower and 555 pound-feet of torque with air channeled in from the giant horse shoe vent on the hood. However, the engine is paired to a manual transmission (a six-speed) for the first time, keeping in line with its “road car first and foremost” purview.
It also rides on 21-inch honeycomb alloy wheels equipped with carbon-ceramic brakes and a bespoke suspension with adaptive dampers and unique springs.
Aston kept things elegant and simple in the cabin. The carbon fiber seats are covered in timeless tweed, taking inspiration from the Le Mans-wining 1959 Aston Martin DBR1. Weaved carbon fiber forms the seat shells, bespoke door cards, fascia air vents, upper center console and transmission tunnel.
But the most interesting interior bit is the classic gear lever, topped with a gear knob crafted from a customer’s choice of machined aluminum, titanium, carbon fiber or walnut.
“Valour is a celebration of Aston Martin’s passion for driving and extraordinary heritage, but it is also emblematic of today’s vibrant and revitalized brand,” said Aston Martin Executive Chairman (and father of Aston Martin F1 driver Lance Stroll) Lawrence Stroll.
“A modern icon that fuses classic character with contemporary execution, Valour captures the essence of excitement and exclusivity that defines this storied automotive marque. A showcase for our world-class design, engineering and manufacturing capabilities, Valour is further proof of Aston Martin’s position as the driver’s champion and maker of the world’s most exciting, exclusive and desirable ultra-luxury high-performance cars.”
Aston says the Valour will be limited to just 110 units globally, with production set to begin in Q3 of 2023 followed by deliveries in Q4. No prices have been announced, but don’t be shocked by something in the seven-figure range.