Aston Martin is to construct a road-legal version of its Valor sports automotive – the Valiant – to the non-public order of its Formula 1 driver Fernando Alonso.
Aston will produce 38 Valiants, which can feature a front-engined, 745-hp 5.2-liter twin-turbo V12.
The automotive also features hubcaps inspired by those used on Aston's 'Muncher' which raced disastrously on the 1979 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The automotive is produced by Aston's 'Q' production division, which allows potential owners to individually style the looks of their cars.
“The Valor was a spectacular celebration of Aston Martin's 110th anniversary and inspired me to create a more extreme, race car-inspired version that focuses on the track while still providing a thrilling drive on the road,” Alonso said in Aston's official press release.
“Valiant was born from my passion for driving to the limits. It was a pleasure to work closely with the Q by Aston Martin team on both the design and technical specifications and I believe we have created a masterpiece.”
Aston's press release also stated that the Valiant “continues a robust line of Aston Martins that deliver true driving intensity on each road and track, with the last word hypercar, the Valkyrie, the brand's most focused sports automotive, the Vantage and its speed sibling , the Vantage GT3 race automotive and, in fact, the upcoming mid-engine supercar, Valhalla.”
The Valkyrie, co-designed by Adrian Newey and now set to unveil its accomplished RB17 hypercar before leaving Red Bull, will probably be entered by Aston within the World Endurance Championship from 2025.
Aston's decision to supply the Valiant follows Alpine's construct of a track-specific version of the Alpine A110 R, dubbed the 'Alpine A110 R Fernando Alonso'.
Aston Martin Valiant
Photo: Aston Martin
In October 2022, Alpine revealed it was continuing work on producing 32 versions of the automotive – a number chosen to reflect Alonso's total Grand Prix victories up to now – after the two-time F1 world champion had already decided to depart the Renault-owned manufacturer will join Aston in 2023.
He recently signed a brand new deal to race in F1 with the green team beyond 2025, which included an as yet unspecified off-track role that Alonso described as a “lifelong project” with the manufacturer.
“The Valiant is a modern masterpiece,” said Marco Mattiacci, Alonso's temporary boss on the Ferrari F1 team in 2014 and now global brand director and chief business officer of Aston Martin Lagonda.
“The creation of the Q by Aston Martin, inspired by a racing legend and designed using the newest F1-inspired technology, exotic materials and obsessive weight reduction.
“The focus is on providing the driving force with a very unique, intense and exciting driving experience.
“The ultimate blend of performance, track-focused dynamics and hypercar intensity, the Valiant embodies Aston Martin's resolute commitment to creating rare and extraordinary cars for real drivers.”
