A few months after the birth of the DB12 grand touring coupé, Aston Martin offers itself another anniversary gift whose limited edition and features will certainly arouse the envy of many – wealthy – customers. The Valour, another front-engined coupe in the purest tradition of the register, appropriates the DNA of Aston Martin in a nostalgic “goodbye” to a time when the manual transmission and the V12 reigned.
Donning a custom-tailored carbon fiber suit with inspiration from both the first V8 Vantage launched in 1977 as well as an endurance racing car, this grim-looking work will be printed in just 110 copies.
Under the front hood is a 705 hp 5.2L twin-turbocharged V12 that can be backed up only by a six-speed manual transmission. This is a first for this mechanic. No figures are given to support the pure performance of the vehicle, but in any case, such data would be superfluous to paint a portrait of a proposal that wants to put the driving experience in the foreground long before the stopwatch.
Aston Martin explains that several modifications have been made to the platform – presumably borrowed from the current Vantage – to improve its rigidity and ensure a wide latitude in adjusting the geometry of the suspensions. Carbon-ceramic brakes are also part of the recipe.
A composition that audaciously marks a pivotal moment in the rich history of this brand.
