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Aston Martin today in Monterey debuted Valen, the latest V12 special from bespoke service, Q by Aston Martin. Valen appears to be world’s most powerful front-engine production car. Valen, however, is indisputably the most powerful front-engined Aston Martin in the company’s 113-year history. Production is strictly limited to 150 examples with first deliveries scheduled for Q2 2027.*
“The latest in a bloodline of limited production special series models from our bespoke service, Q by Aston Martin, Valen’s world-beating performance required a design to capture the raw motion and unmatched output of our V12 powertrain. With more power, less weight, and a spectacular soundtrack, the dramatic design is backed up by equally dramatic performance,” said Aston Martin CEO Adrian Hallmark.
Valen has a full-carbon fiber body. Its 5.2-liter twin-turbocharged V12 engine is rated by Aston Martin at 850PS and 1000 Nm of torque at 2500 rpm. “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,” Aston Martin said in a release about its newly formed Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) Department.
The 8-speed ZF transmission uses shift strategies developed for Aston Martin’s Vantage GT4 race program. It has crisper and “more engaging” shifts in all drive modes, which has reduced Valen’s 0-60 mph time to 3.0 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 214 mph.
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“The Valen V12 powertrain has Sport, Sport+ and Track modes to create a true feeling of urgency and focus befitting supercar levels of performance and dynamics.” 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 program. This is achieved through use of a variety of lightweight motorsport inspired materials including carbon fiber, aluminum, titanium and magnesium. An optional lightweight pack featuring machined-from-solid aluminum 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, minimizing 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 tires (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 tires 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™ Tire technology**, the only hardware and software technology able to share real time tire 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 optimizing 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.
“Valen also employs a solid mounted rear subframe together with model-specific springs, helper springs and Bilstein DTX semi-active dampers. Steering calibration maximizes the feeling of agility and exploits the front-end’s limits of grip, but with meticulous care taken to ensure this rotational energy is matched by high levels of traction for a feeling of confident unity and connection front-to-rear.
“To ensure all points of contact between car and driver have cohesive feel and response, Valen’s brake booster maintains a firm pedal for exceptional precision and complete driver confidence, allowing precise modulation of the 410mm front and 360mm rear carbon ceramic brakes from high and low speeds.
“Through its new lightweight titanium exhaust system, Valen has a soundtrack to match its performance. The system has been developed specifically for Valen and features new micro mufflers ensuring compliance with homologation regulations; while saving weight and enhancing the sound quality that’s such an essential part of enjoying a V12-engined car to the full. It’s a key part of the strategy to ramp-up emotion to create a car of unmistakable visual, dynamic and aural character. Valen’s quad exhaust system evokes the design language of a mid-engine hypercar, molded into the form of a front mid-engined supercar, with four tailpipes split between two upper and two lower. These tailpipe finishers are formed with 3D printed titanium with the focus on lightweighting and material craftsmanship. The upper exhaust exits are always open, with the lower exits valved, opening depending on drive mode for the ultimate emotive soundtrack.
“Valen’s roar has been carefully tuned to deliver a more performance focused audible experience, reducing lower frequencies while amplifying higher tones. Optimized system dimensions enhance the progression to a dramatic crescendo, while the upper exhaust outlets are tuned akin to organ pipes to generate resonance at higher engine speeds, resulting in a significant increase in character and presence,” Aston Martin said.
“Valen gave us the opportunity to explore and express more extreme emotions through a new form language and surface treatment. As such, Valen is a significant departure from what has gone before; sharply sculpted lines to reflect the aggressive dynamics, an attacking stance that emphasizes the front-engine rear-drive layout and a bespoke interior design that creates a more sporting cockpit environment. Valen is a provocative front-engined supercar exuding increased potency and sporting intent, yet still celebrating the elevated luxury, meticulous detailing and unmistakable design signatures expected of a flagship Aston Martin,” said Aston Martin EVP & Chief Creative Officer, Marek Reichman.
*AutoInformed on
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
Aston Martin Valen Super Car Debuts in California
Click for more.
Aston Martin today in Monterey debuted Valen, the latest V12 special from bespoke service, Q by Aston Martin. Valen appears to be world’s most powerful front-engine production car. Valen, however, is indisputably the most powerful front-engined Aston Martin in the company’s 113-year history. Production is strictly limited to 150 examples with first deliveries scheduled for Q2 2027.*
“The latest in a bloodline of limited production special series models from our bespoke service, Q by Aston Martin, Valen’s world-beating performance required a design to capture the raw motion and unmatched output of our V12 powertrain. With more power, less weight, and a spectacular soundtrack, the dramatic design is backed up by equally dramatic performance,” said Aston Martin CEO Adrian Hallmark.
Valen has a full-carbon fiber body. Its 5.2-liter twin-turbocharged V12 engine is rated by Aston Martin at 850PS and 1000 Nm of torque at 2500 rpm. “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,” Aston Martin said in a release about its newly formed Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) Department.
The 8-speed ZF transmission uses shift strategies developed for Aston Martin’s Vantage GT4 race program. It has crisper and “more engaging” shifts in all drive modes, which has reduced Valen’s 0-60 mph time to 3.0 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 214 mph.
Click for more.
“The Valen V12 powertrain has Sport, Sport+ and Track modes to create a true feeling of urgency and focus befitting supercar levels of performance and dynamics.” 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 program. This is achieved through use of a variety of lightweight motorsport inspired materials including carbon fiber, aluminum, titanium and magnesium. An optional lightweight pack featuring machined-from-solid aluminum 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, minimizing 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 tires (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 tires 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™ Tire technology**, the only hardware and software technology able to share real time tire 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 optimizing 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.
“Valen also employs a solid mounted rear subframe together with model-specific springs, helper springs and Bilstein DTX semi-active dampers. Steering calibration maximizes the feeling of agility and exploits the front-end’s limits of grip, but with meticulous care taken to ensure this rotational energy is matched by high levels of traction for a feeling of confident unity and connection front-to-rear.
“To ensure all points of contact between car and driver have cohesive feel and response, Valen’s brake booster maintains a firm pedal for exceptional precision and complete driver confidence, allowing precise modulation of the 410mm front and 360mm rear carbon ceramic brakes from high and low speeds.
“Through its new lightweight titanium exhaust system, Valen has a soundtrack to match its performance. The system has been developed specifically for Valen and features new micro mufflers ensuring compliance with homologation regulations; while saving weight and enhancing the sound quality that’s such an essential part of enjoying a V12-engined car to the full. It’s a key part of the strategy to ramp-up emotion to create a car of unmistakable visual, dynamic and aural character. Valen’s quad exhaust system evokes the design language of a mid-engine hypercar, molded into the form of a front mid-engined supercar, with four tailpipes split between two upper and two lower. These tailpipe finishers are formed with 3D printed titanium with the focus on lightweighting and material craftsmanship. The upper exhaust exits are always open, with the lower exits valved, opening depending on drive mode for the ultimate emotive soundtrack.
“Valen’s roar has been carefully tuned to deliver a more performance focused audible experience, reducing lower frequencies while amplifying higher tones. Optimized system dimensions enhance the progression to a dramatic crescendo, while the upper exhaust outlets are tuned akin to organ pipes to generate resonance at higher engine speeds, resulting in a significant increase in character and presence,” Aston Martin said.
“Valen gave us the opportunity to explore and express more extreme emotions through a new form language and surface treatment. As such, Valen is a significant departure from what has gone before; sharply sculpted lines to reflect the aggressive dynamics, an attacking stance that emphasizes the front-engine rear-drive layout and a bespoke interior design that creates a more sporting cockpit environment. Valen is a provocative front-engined supercar exuding increased potency and sporting intent, yet still celebrating the elevated luxury, meticulous detailing and unmistakable design signatures expected of a flagship Aston Martin,” said Aston Martin EVP & Chief Creative Officer, Marek Reichman.
*AutoInformed on
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.