Aston Martin ValenAston MartinAston Martin has unveiled the Valen, a limited-production V12 supercar that becomes the most powerful front-engined car ever produced by the British marque and the most powerful front-engined V12 in Aston Martin's 113-year history.Developed by Aston Martin's bespoke Q by Aston Martin division and its newly formed Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) department, the Valen, of which only 150 will be made, combines an extensively reworked 5.2-liter twin-turbocharged V12 engine with a lightweight carbon-fiber body, revised chassis technology and an aggressive new design.The result is an 850-PS, 1,000-Nm Aston Martin V12 supercar designed to deliver greater performance and a more focused driving experience than the standard V12 platform.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe name Valen is derived from the Latin word valens, meaning "strong" or "powerful," while continuing Aston Martin's long-running tradition of using names beginning with the letter V.The Valen joins recent Q by Aston Martin special projects including the Valour, Valiant and DBR22.Aston Martin Valen: 850-PS Twin-Turbo V12At the heart of the Aston Martin Valen is the company's most powerful version of its 5.2-liter twin-turbocharged V12 engine, producing 850 PS and 1,000 Nm of torque from just 2,500 rpm.Power is sent through an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission, which receives revised shift strategies derived from Aston Martin's Vantage GT4 racing program. The changes are designed to produce faster and sharper gear changes across all drive modes.Aston Martin ValenAston Martin says the Valen can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.0 seconds, while its top speed is electronically limited to 214 mph.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe car features three performance-focused driving modes: Sport, Sport+ and Track. Each mode alters the character of the Valen, including its throttle response.Sport and Sport+ use a shorter throttle map designed to deliver more response earlier in the pedal's travel. Track mode instead adopts a longer, more progressive throttle map intended to provide greater precision when driving at the limit.Lightweight Aston Martin V12 SupercarWeight reduction is a major part of the Aston Martin Valen's performance strategy.Aston Martin says the Valen weighs up to 110 kg less than the core V12 platform, with extensive use of carbon fiber, aluminum, titanium and magnesium.AdvertisementAdvertisementAn optional lightweight package saves a further 16.9 kg through components including machined-from-solid aluminum suspension arms and knuckles, along with titanium chassis bolts.The Valen also receives lightweight magnesium wheels as standard, reducing unsprung mass to improve steering response, wheel control and ride refinement.Those wheels are fitted with Aston Martin-tuned Pirelli P Zero R tires measuring 275/35 ZR21 at the front and 325/30 ZR21 at the rear. Pirelli P Zero Winter 2 tires are also available for the Valen.The supercar incorporates Pirelli's Cyber Tire technology, which provides real-time tire data to the vehicle's dynamic control systems. The system is integrated with the car's electronic architecture, allowing the ESP, ABS and traction-control systems to continuously adjust their operating thresholds.Aston Martin Valen Chassis and SuspensionAston Martin has made extensive changes to the Valen's chassis and software calibration in an effort to give the car a distinct dynamic character.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe suspension, steering, brakes, dampers, camber settings and electronic stability systems have all been revised. Aston Martin says the changes are designed to improve response, precision and control without sacrificing the refinement required for long-distance road driving.Aston Martin ValenThe Valen uses increased front and rear lateral stiffness, reducing body roll and pitch while making the car feel more agile. Steering calibration has also been optimized to make the Valen behave like a shorter and lighter sports car.The rear suspension features a solid-mounted rear subframe, model-specific springs and helper springs, along with Bilstein DTX semi-active dampers.Stopping power comes from 410-mm front and 360-mm rear carbon-ceramic brakes, with a brake booster tuned to provide a firm pedal and precise modulation.Aston Martin Valen V12 SoundtrackThe Valen's performance is accompanied by a bespoke lightweight titanium exhaust system featuring new micro-mufflers.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe quad-exhaust arrangement is split between two upper and two lower outlets, giving the rear of the front-engined V12 supercar a design more commonly associated with a mid-engined hypercar.The exhaust tips themselves are made from 3D-printed titanium. The upper outlets remain open, while the lower outlets are electronically valved according to the selected driving mode.Aston Martin has also tuned the V12 soundtrack to emphasize higher frequencies while reducing lower-frequency noise. The exhaust system uses specially optimized dimensions and upper outlets inspired by the resonance characteristics of organ pipes to build a more dramatic sound as engine speed rises.Aggressive New Aston Martin Valen DesignThe Aston Martin Valen represents a significant departure from the company's traditional front-engined design language.AdvertisementAdvertisementIts exterior features sharply sculpted surfaces, a more aggressive stance and a design intended to emphasize its front-engined, rear-wheel-drive layout.At the front, slim recessed headlights sit beneath the leading edge of the plunging hood. They are joined by a more angular radiator opening, a geometric mesh grille and a sharply angled front splitter.The hood features a central vent, while the traditional Aston Martin side strake has been transformed into a large functional aerodynamic vent. It extracts air from the front wheel arches and directs it along the car's flanks.The side profile is further defined by a stepped rocker panel and heavily sculpted front and rear fenders. Saw-tooth vortex generators at the rear edge of the sills are designed to manage high-speed airflow, reducing lift and generating additional downforce.Valen Gets a Full-Width Rear Light BarAt the rear, Aston Martin has replaced the conventional rear window and trunk lid with a single solid tailgate.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe tailgate incorporates an aerodynamic wing and opens onto a 170-liter trunk. Buyers can also specify a Touring Pack with bespoke luggage designed to make use of the available cargo space.Aston Martin ValenA full-width rear light bar sits below the upswept tail. Its shape also functions as a Gurney flap, generating downforce while minimizing drag and eliminating the need for a large motorsport-style rear wing.Below the light bar is a perforated panel designed to extract hot air from the exhaust area, while the high-mounted tailpipes sit above the rising rear diffuser.Q by Aston Martin Valen CustomizationThe Valen offers extensive personalization through Q by Aston Martin, including bespoke exterior finishes and exposed carbon fiber.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe show car is finished in Satin Andromeda Red, a Q Ultra-developed paint color that combines deep red, copper and gold highlights with shifting blue undertones. Aston Martin uses Chromaflair pigments to create the color-changing effect.Customers can also specify a fully exposed carbon-fiber body. The carbon weave can be finished in Satin or Gloss and tinted in different colors, with Q by Aston Martin able to work with individual customers on bespoke carbon-fiber finishes.Aston Martin Valen InteriorInside, the Valen adopts a more focused, driver-oriented cockpit designed around the car's weight-saving philosophy.A slim center console uses advanced 3D-printed components and incorporates the performance-focused switchgear introduced on the Aston Martin Valhalla. The console is angled toward the driver to create a more focused driving environment.AdvertisementAdvertisementBuyers can choose between new Sports Plus seats, intended to combine support with long-distance comfort, or lightweight carbon-fiber performance seats for a more track-focused setup.Aston Martin ValenAston Martin has also developed a new range of interior trim combinations. Customers can choose between Semi-Aniline Leather and Alcantara or a full Semi-Aniline Leather interior, followed by one of five material configurations: Monotone, Duotone, Light Duotone, Tritone or Driver Focused.The cabin also incorporates additional 3D-printed components, echoing the technology used on previous Aston Martin limited-production models such as the Valkyrie and DBS Zagato.The result is an Aston Martin V12 supercar that combines 850 PS, 1,000 Nm of torque, a 214-mph top speed and extensive weight reduction with an unusually aggressive design and highly configurable interior.More than simply another limited-production Aston Martin, the Valen is intended to showcase what the company can achieve when its most powerful front-engined V12 platform is handed to Q by Aston Martin and the brand's Special Vehicle Operations team.This article was originally published on Forbes.com
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