Aston Martin has taken its front-engined V12 formula to a new extreme with the Valen, a limited-run supercar packing around 838 horsepower and plenty of attitude.
Its 5.2-litre twin-turbocharged V12 produces 1,000Nm of torque, making the Valen, as Aston Martin claims, the most powerful front-engined production car ever. Only 150 examples will be built, with first deliveries planned for the second quarter of 2027.
Performance is suitably serious, with 0-60mph taking 3.0 seconds and 0-62mph coming up in 3.1 seconds. Keep going and the Valen will reach an electronically limited top speed of 214mph.
Unlike the manual Valour and Valiant that came before it, the Valen uses an eight-speed automatic transaxle driving the rear wheels. Its shift programming takes inspiration from Aston Martin’s Vantage GT4 race car, with an electronic limited-slip differential helping manage all that power.
Weight has been given just as much attention. A full carbon-fibre body is joined by 21-inch magnesium wheels, carbon-ceramic brakes and lightweight aluminium and titanium components. Aston Martin says the Valen can save up to 110kg compared with its core V12 platform, with an optional suspension package contributing 16.9kg of that reduction.
Then there is the exhaust, which might be one of the wildest parts of the car. The bespoke titanium system is 50% louder from outside than the Vanquish, with its routing designed to bring more of the V12 soundtrack into the cabin.
The design is equally dramatic, with an abrupt rear end, exposed carbon fibre and huge exhaust outlets giving the Valen a much more aggressive look than Aston Martin’s usual grand tourers.
Aston Martin has not revealed an official price, but Motor1 expects it to start at around $2 million before any bespoke Q options are added.
With only 150 being made, the Valen was never going to be a subtle addition to the Aston Martin range. An 838 horsepower V12, less weight and an exhaust deliberately made louder than the Vanquish make sure of that.