To celebrate its 110th anniversary, Aston Martin has launched the Valour, a limited-edition supercar that pays homage to the brand’s rich heritage…
2024 Aston Martin Valour
Engine: 5.2 litre twin-turbo V12
Transmission: 6 speed manual
Power: 526 kW
Torque: 555lb-ft
Top Speed: 321 km/h
0-100 km/h: 3.0 seconds
Price: $1.9 – 2.9 million (est)
Aston Martin sure know how to celebrate a century plus not out. In honour of its 110th anniversary, the Brits bought a cake, blew out some some candles, and launched their latest supercar called the Valour. Boasting a retro design and a manual gearbox, it’s a gloriously unapologetic tribute to old school V12-powered brutes – which are a dying breed.
Like the limited Victor from 2020, the Valour looks to the iconic Vantage from the 1970s and 1980s for inspiration – as such you’ll notice a well done mesh of old and new.
Retro rounded headlights surround the modern DB11 clamshell hood with horseshoe vent. Horizontal taillights and a curved embedded spoiler offer additional retro in the rear, while the 21 inch lightweight alloy honeycomb wheels come wrapped in new Michelins.
The fusion continues inside where the woolen fabric – used in the 1959 Le Mans-winning DBR1 – blends with high-tech carbon fibre and modern, lightweight seats. Even the rounded wooden shift knob is a retro vibe.
Its 5.2 litre V12, now on life support, is a front-mounted, twin-turbocharged wonder that pushes 555 pound-feet of torque via a 6 speed. However, relentless power and an old school manual are not all that Aston have brought to the celebration.
Setting itself apart from its fellow Astons, the Valour uses adaptive dampers and anti-roll bars tuned just to the right frequency to match the output of the V12. Plus, there has been significant weight loss from the super-thin steel exhaust and the carbon ceramic brakes that shed 23 kg over the standard steels. Of course, the body being made entirely of carbon fibre didn’t tip the scales either.
Looking like something Tony Stark would drive to an event, production and deliveries are already under way with all 110 examples accounted for – we’re still struggling with a deposit.
By Bill Vartimetis
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