Wild new Aston Martin Valen is a V12 brute with 838bhp
There’s an eye-catching new exhaust set-up too, with two exits in the diffuser and two through its centre. The uppermost exits are always open, while the lower set is valved, opening in the raciest drive modes.
The use of carbonfibre, aluminium, titanium and magnesium has helped to make the Valen as much as 110kg lighter than its Vanquish counterpart. The optional lightweight pack alone saves 16.9kg, bringing machined-aluminium suspension arms and knuckles, plus titanium chassis bolts.
Meanwhile, the gearbox has been remapped with the software from Aston Martin’s Vantage GT4 race car, giving more aggressive shifts. The throttle pedal’s behaviour has also been modified so it is more sensitive in the road-focused Sport and Sport+ drive modes, while the throttle’s travel is extended in Track mode for “when on-limit precision is the priority”.
The suspension has also been stiffened by way of new springs and the steering response has been quickened for improved responsiveness—completing the Vanquish’s transition from super-GT to no-holds-barred performance weapon.
Simon Newton, Aston Martin’s director of vehicle performance, suggested the ambition was to unleash the latent sporting potential of the Vanquish.
“Valen channels the more overt dynamic purpose of a true sports car,” said Newton, who added that the revisions “intensify the character of Aston Martin’s signature GT.”
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