2027 Aston Martin Valen: $2 Million V-12 SupercarAston MartinA fun thing is happening in the lofty echelon of multi-million-dollar super- and hypercars. Because EVs can deliver stratospherically high and easily accessible power, merely having a sub-three-second 0–60 time or a four-digit horsepower number are no longer the flexes they once were. The challenge now is to offer something unique to the experience. Aston Martin decided to exploit an area where range-topping EVs don't excel—sound—with its new V-12 sonic superstar, the Aston Martin Valen. Oh, and at 838 horsepower, it will also be the most powerful front-engine car on the market by a major manufacturer, so it has that going for it, as well.Beating V-12 Heart and MoreThe Valen is the latest low-volume production model by the automaker's Q by Aston Martin team, and a total of 150 total copies will be offered worldwide in all. Further engineered by Aston Martin's newly created Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) department, the Valen utilizes a highly massaged version of the automaker's 5.2-liter twin-turbo V-12 engine from the Aston Martin Vanquish as its fiercely beating heart, rated at that 838 horsepower and 738 lb-ft of torque. Not surprisingly, the Valen is also the most powerful front-engined V-12 supercar in the brand's 113-year history, with Aston quoting a 60-mph time of 3.0 seconds on the way to an electronically limited top speed of 214 mph.Aston MartinRecord-setting power is only part of the Valen's story, though. It benefits from Aston's all-new electrical architecture and technology platform, in addition to drivetrain, engine, braking, chassis layout, and transmission enhancements over the brand's existing V-12 platform. Add it all up, and it's a "much deeper and more radical" car, according to Alex Long, managing director of SVO Aston Martin Lagonda.AdvertisementAdvertisementThanks to the widespread use of titanium, carbon fiber, and aluminum, the Valen is more than 240 pounds lighter than the V-12 platform, as well. Standard magnesium wheels help add lightness, too. A further 37 pounds come off with the optional lightweight pack that brings suspension arms and knuckles machined from solid aluminum, and titanium chassis bolts.Engineers also paid special attention to maximizing the Valen's handling prowess to further enhance hardcore track attacking. It utilizes a solid-mounted rear subframe and Bilstein DTX semi-active dampers, as well as a focus on front and rear lateral stiffness to reduce roll and pitch movements. The steering's been calibrated for maximum agility and responsiveness, especially off-center. Combine everything, and the Valen should steer and maneuver like a much lighter and shorter car.Aston MartinThe razor-sharp responsiveness extends to its braking and transmission, where the former's brake booster keeps the pedal travel firm so the driver can precisely modulate stoppage from the carbon-ceramic brakes. Sharper shift strategies cribbed from the automaker's Vantage GT4 program were used to optimize the Valen's eight-speed ZF automatic transmission.The variable throttle mapping changes depending on the selected drive mode. Sport and Sport+ result in an earlier and more urgent throttle delivery, while Track brings more progressive delivery for precision at the limit.Angled DesignPictures don't really do the Valen justice. It has an incredible presence in person: part race car, part road car. That shifting paint scheme you see is called Satin Andromeda Red, but you can option the car with a fully exposed carbon-fiber exterior if you want.AdvertisementAdvertisementAway from the organic and rounded lines familiar to present-day Aston Martins, the Valen employs many right angles and straight edges. A low brow sits over a massive grille and protruding front splitter to form a front fascia that's actually rather reminiscent of the Ford Mustang GTD. The hood has a big vent cut into it.Aston MartinTo the side, more functional vents pull air away from the wheel arches and send it down toward the rear. Cooler still are the tri-finned lower stepped sills that direct underbody air away and out to cut lift and build downforce.We don't know if this has ever been said about an Aston before, but the rear end is the coolest part of the car's design. We wouldn't call it elegant by any means, but it's highly purposeful and striking. First off, there's no rear window. Instead, there's a solid tailgate, so you'll have to make do with your mirrors or the digital rearview. There is a trunk, though—all 6 cubic feet of it—that extends toward the cabin rather than widthwise. Aston will gladly sell you a bespoke luggage set as part of the Touring Pack if you have trouble fitting your bags back there.A massive, sweeping rear wing that functions as a Gurney flap sits above a full-width light bar. Below that is a perforated panel that acts as a hot exhaust air exit. Giant rear diffuser, check. And the lower bumper has been cut so that most of the rear tires are exposed. Is this the equivalent of Victorian ankle exposure?Aston MartinFinally, you might have noticed the Valen has quad exhaust tips. But they aren't in parallel as these things usually are. They're stacked. Sick.Slow Down and ListenThe tailpipe layout is the only visible piece of the Valen's pièce de résistance: its sound. The car is, according to Long, "50 percent louder than the Vanquish across all of the rev range as opposed to a peak."AdvertisementAdvertisementThere's a front-to-back titanium full exhaust that's both lightweight and sound-enhancing. The upper pipes, positioned like those on a mid-engined car, are perpetually open, while the lower ones are valved and open depending on the drive mode. Aston engineers reduced the lower frequencies and enhanced the higher tones, so there's really no time when the Valen won't sound absolutely nasty.Aston MartinBut beyond that, the team also made sure the car sounds loud and incredible from as low as 2,500 rpm for maximum daily enjoyment. "How often are you at 6,000 rpm in a daily drive?" Long reasoned. "Very rare. Anything beyond second gear, you're losing your license. So, the idea is very loud, low speed, more enjoyable."He went on, "Cars come alive dynamically at super-high speeds, beyond highway speeds. That's taking the thrill away from being able to go and enjoy a car on a drive. The exhaust strategy is an integral part of that."You don't have to tell us twice.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe Valen's interior is also a departure from expected Astonishness, with gratuitous dazzling and futuristic 3D-printed parts. Those familiar with the Aston Martin Valhalla will recognize the shifter hardware and center console elements. From sitting within, occupants can also experience the resonance from the full-width titanium exhaust. The Valen has far less NVH protection than other normie Astons, so you can feel and hear more. Long confirmed all the sound is authentic, too—nothing here is augmented.Aston MartinHow much for all this record-setting performance and sonic boom? Each of the 150 copies starts at $2 million. They'll be available starting in the second quarter of next year and remember: Take it slow. The Aston people said so.Photo credit: Aston MartinPhoto credit: Aston MartinPhoto credit: Aston MartinAdvertisementAdvertisementPhoto credit: Aston MartinPhoto credit: Aston MartinPhoto credit: Aston MartinPhoto credit: Aston MartinAdvertisementAdvertisementPhoto credit: Aston MartinPhoto credit: Aston MartinPhoto credit: Aston MartinPhoto credit: Aston MartinAdvertisementAdvertisementPhoto credit: Aston MartinPhoto credit: Aston MartinPhoto credit: Aston MartinPhoto credit: Aston MartinAdvertisementAdvertisementPhoto credit: Aston MartinPhoto credit: Aston MartinPhoto credit: Aston MartinPhoto credit: Aston MartinAdvertisementAdvertisementPhoto credit: Aston MartinPhoto credit: Aston MartinPhoto credit: Aston Martin
+37 others
