We had been anticipating our jaws to drop after we stepped in the direction of Aston Martin Kuala Lumpur final month for the launch of the brand new Vanquish, however to not the ground! As if the sight of Gaydon’s newest V12 beast wasn’t spectacular sufficient, the showroom was housing two models of the Aston Martin Valour.
Introduced in July 2023 as a limited-run mannequin for the marque’s a hundred and tenth anniversary, solely 110 models of the Valour will ever be produced, and but we bought to see each of them in a single room. The 2 models – one in Tayos Turquoise and one other in Buckinghamshire Inexperienced – have simply arrived from the UK and can quickly be delivered to their VVIP homeowners in Malaysia.
The non-cultured amongst us, akin to this author, would possibly see a touch of fifth-gen Mustang within the seems to be, however inspiration for the Valour was drawn from celebrated Astons of the previous, specifically the unique V8 Vantage and the Vantage-based RHAM/1 ‘Muncher’ Le Mans race automotive from 1980. Seen one thing like this from them currently? That must be the Victor from 2020, created to mark the seventieth anniversary of the Vantage title.
The Valour’s clamshell bonnet options a big horseshoe-shaped vent and a pair of NACA ducts to feed air to the V12 engine; its grille wears aluminium strakes in its central part, whereas flanked by carbon-fibre intakes on both sides. LED headlamps of a round form evoke the styling of the unique Vantage, however are distinctive to the Valour.
On the again, the tail lamp graphic with six LED blades on both sides recall the insane Valkyrie, whereas a full-width aluminium construction constructed from a strong billet separates the higher and decrease sections of the rear. The triple outlet exhaust system is constructed from light-weight chrome steel with a wall thickness of lower than 1mm – this protects 7kg in comparison with a standard setup.
Below the hood is a 5.2-litre V12 engine with 715 PS and 753 Nm of torque, providing the identical peak energy because the DBS Superleggera however with a 147 Nm discount in max torque in comparison with that collection manufacturing automotive. In comparison with the brand new Vanquish, which replaces the Superleggera in Aston’s catalogue, the Valour is down by a big 120 PS and 247 Nm.
Nonetheless, the biturbo twelve-pot engine will be had with a six-speed handbook gearbox instead of an eight-speed ZF computerized rear-mounted transaxle. Yup, twelve cylinders and a handbook – that’s merely unbelievable in 2024.
The Valour will get a mechanical limited-slip differential to supply ‘a way of direct analogue connection between automotive and driver.’ Additionally bespoke to this LE is its suspension with adaptive dampers, springs and anti-roll bars, all of which have been tuned particularly. The personalised physique construction has entrance and rear shear panels, a rear suspension tower brace and gas tank bracing to extend torsional and lateral stiffness.
You may stare at these 21-inch solid alloy honeycomb wheels for hours, and so they most likely take that lengthy to wash as nicely. This fashion was additionally seen on the Victor and DBS 770 Final, and so they’re wrapped with Michelin Pilot Sport S 5 tyres particular to Aston Martin – 275/35 entrance, 325/30 rear.
The primary spotlight of the Valour’s inside, at the least for me, is that huge handbook gear knob. Look intently and also you’ll see the uncovered shift linkage. The knob will be had in machined aluminium, titanium, carbon-fibre or walnut – the proprietor of the inexperienced automotive you see right here went for the wooden possibility, which matches nicely with the classic-style inexperienced exterior.
Talking of that, each automobiles right here put on paintjobs by Q, Aston Martin’s bespoke service. Just like the character that provides James Bond with all types of gadgetry, Gaydon’s personal Q has choices you most likely haven’t imagined earlier than. How a lot? Don’t embarrass your self. Even in the event you had the dough, you’re not on the record.
GALLERY: Aston Martin Valour in Malaysia
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