Aston Martin is proud to introduce Valen; the world’s most powerful front-engined car from a manufacturer and the most powerful front-engined V12 supercar in the company’s 113-year history. The latest in an illustrious line of limited production twelve-cylinder specials, Valen explores provocative design themes and extremes of performance in pursuit of maximum visual impact and a truly distinctive driving experience.
Pushing the limits of design and engineering to achieve a supercar of unique drama and capability, Valen is clad in a full-carbon fibre body and powered by the brand’s most powerful version of its 5.2-litre twin-turbocharged V12 engine with 850PS and 1000Nm of torque from just 2500rpm. Combined with targeted hardware and extensive software calibration to steering, suspension and braking systems, Valen delivers a driver-focused configuration to match its raw performance.
Bestowed with an assertive design and character, Valen required a name with equal gravitas and meaning. Derived from the Latin word ‘valens’, with the etymology referencing "strong," or "powerful", Valen was the perfect name for Aston Martin’s most powerful front engined V12, continuing the long-standing dynasty of ‘V’ names.
The project, the latest special from Aston Martin’s bespoke service, Q by Aston Martin who previously gave us Valour, Valiant and DBR22 to name a few was realised thanks to the unique scope and expertise of Aston Martin’s newly formed Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) Department.
ENGINEERING
Reinforcing Valen’s position as the most powerful front-engined supercar, is a sharper-shifting 8-speed ZF transmission, which uses race-proven shift strategies developed for Aston Martin’s Vantage GT4 race programme, with crisper and more engaging shifts in all drive modes, which has reduced Valen’s 0-60mph time to just 3.0 seconds*. Top speed is electronically limited to 214mph.
To bring out the best from the V12 powertrain, Valen adopts a performance drive mode philosophy; Sport, Sport+ and Track modes to create a true feeling of urgency and focus befitting supercar levels of performance and dynamics.
Careful attention has also been paid to Valen’s throttle mapping, which changes according to drive mode. For spirited road driving in Sport and Sport+ modes the throttle pedal uses a shorter map to deliver more throttle earlier in its travel, while Track mode trades that urgency for a longer and more progressive delivery when on-limit precision is the priority.
Valen’s commitment to performance extends to a significant weight saving of up to 110kg over the core V12 platform – a central focus of the programme. This is achieved through use of a variety of lightweight motorsport inspired materials including carbon fibre, aluminium, titanium and magnesium. An optional lightweight pack featuring machined-from-solid aluminium suspension arms, knuckles and titanium chassis bolts makes a 16.9kg weight saving alone through meticulous manufacturing and extreme attention to detail.
New lightweight magnesium wheels are fitted as standard, minimising unsprung mass to further improve steering response and bring added polish to Valen’s wheel control and ride refinement. These wheels are shod with Aston Martin tuned Pirelli P Zero R (275/35 ZR21 front, 325/30 ZR21 rear) and or P Zero Winter 2 tyres (275/35 R21 front, 325/30 R21 rear) developed specifically for Valen to ensure an optimal balance between everyday usability and dynamic track capability. These high-performance, bespoke tyres deliver superior lateral and longitudinal grip that are tuned to maintain a level of approachability and control to the driver, giving the ultimate bandwidth in performance. Valen also adopts Pirelli’s latest Cyber™ Tyre technology**, the only hardware and software technology able to share real time tyre data with the vehicle’s dynamic control systems. Developed in conjunction with Bosch Engineering the system is fully integrated into the car’s digital architecture, allowing the ESP, ABS and traction control systems to continuously adapt their thresholds optimising control and safety.
A combination of significant hardware changes and targeted software calibration adjustments to the ESP, dampers, steering, cambers and braking system delivers a marked character shift to give Valen a unique dynamic signature. One with the bandwidth to sharpen response, precision and control without sacrificing the necessary compliance and refinement required in a car owners will want to take on proper journeys over long distances.
Focused front and rear lateral stiffness delivers precise response and confident direction changes. Reduced roll and pitch motions to driver inputs increases agility feel over the core V12 platform while preserving a playful handling balance for maximum enjoyment.
Intense development focus has been spent on the steering, tuned to deliver feel, connection and system stiffness through the chassis and software tuning. Steering efforts have been tuned for response, allowing Valen to behave like a shorter and lighter car.
DESIGN
Valen’s dramatic frontal treatment is characterised by deeply recessed slimline headlamp units which are hooded beneath the sharp leading edge of the plunging bonnet line. Together with the more angular treatment of the radiator aperture, bold geometric mesh grille and acutely angled front splitter create a distinctive character
The bonnet itself features a single top vent with perforations at the trailing edge. On each side the traditional side strake has been sharpened and elongated and is now fully incorporated into a large functional vent which extracts air from the wheel arch and guides it down the rounded flanks. The strake feature extends almost the full length of the door before the swollen rear haunches widen to cover the rear wheels.
The lower section of each side is dominated by a stepped sill, which creates a tightly cinched waistline that emphasises the muscular front and rear fender sections. Sharp saw-tooth vortex generators positioned on the trailing edge of the sills pull highspeed airflow from beneath the car to reducing lift and generate downforce. New side-glass quarter windows add to Valen’s profile and demonstrate commitment to creating a car with a unique identity.
Valen’s rear-design treatment is equally bold. Instead of a fixed rear window and trunk lid both features have been replaced by a solid tailgate. Featuring an aerodynamic wing in its upper section, the tailgate opens onto a sizeable trunk (170 litres) which is available with an optional bespoke luggage set (Touring Pack) to make the most of the available space. A soft, tailored cover can be unfolded to protect the paintwork when lifting cases in and out.
A bespoke full-width light bar sits beneath the large upswept tail, which acts as a Gurney flap to generate downforce while incurring minimal drag and avoiding the need for motorsport-style wings. Below the vivid strip of light is a perforated panel to extract hot air from around the exhaust, which features a pair of high-set tailpipes mounted above the top of the rising rear diffuser and emits a soundtrack befitting of a V12 supercar.
The show car is specified in a Q Ultra developed paint colour, Satin Andromeda Red. The satin top-coat accentuates the assertive lines in the design with the colour shift from the Andromeda Red remaining highly impactful. Andromeda Red blends deep red, copper and rich golden highlights, which shift dynamically to intense undertones of blue. Innovating timeless colour through ultra-luxury pigments, blended through with Chromaflair technology pigments. A commanding range of shifting hues, achievable even in low light environments, bringing new perspectives with an indulgent movement of colour.
With a coach-built carbon fibre body, Valen is available with the option of a stunning fully exposed carbon fibre exterior. This exquisite example of material craftsmanship shows meticulous detail with the herringbone in the carbon weave running down the centre of the car. In addition, the exposed carbon fibre can be tinted in a variety of colours, in both Satin and Gloss finish, with even the possibility of customers working with the Q by Aston Martin team to curate and develop their own bespoke tint.
The interior of Valen has been developed around a clear principle of visual lightness, reflecting the significant mass reduction engineered throughout the car. Central to this is a slim centre console, enabled by advanced 3D-printed components and incorporating the performance-focused switchpack introduced on Valhalla. Angled towards the driver, the inclined console creates a more focused and controlled cockpit environment, reinforcing the connection between driver and machine.