In honor of its 110th anniversary, British automaker Aston Martin has announced a limited-edition carbon-body sports car called the Valour. Only 110 units are being made, and not a single one of them will have an automatic transmission.
Inspired by the V8 Vantage and the Vantage-based RHAM/1 "Muncher" Le Mans racer from 1980, the Valour combines a custom 6-speed manual transmission with a 5.2-liter twin-turbocharged V12 engine. According to Aston Martin, it's the world's only front-engined V12 sports car available with a manual transmission.
It additionally sports a mechanical limited-slip differential plus electronic traction and stability control systems, along with three driving modes: Sport, Sport+ and Track. Each one of those offers different throttle response, torque management and sound character.
The vehicle's custom suspension incorporates adaptive dampers, springs and anti-roll bars, all intended to deliver "a sporting balance of taut, precise vertical body control and resolute resistance to roll, while offering the compliance to shine on great driving roads."
The Valour rolls on a set of 21-inch lightweight forged alloy "Honeycomb" wheels clad in AML-specific Michelin Pilot Sport S 5 tires. Stopping power is provided by carbon ceramic brakes, which are reportedly 23 kg (51 lb) lighter than a full set of conventional steel brakes.
Aston Martin is really pushing the whole manual transmission thing, as the central feature of the two-seat cockpit is the gear-shift lever. It features an exposed shift mechanism ("to emphasize the mechanical connection") along with a knob that's available in the buyer's choice of aluminum, titanium, carbon fiber or walnut wood.
Deep-pocketed buyers can also choose between different upholstery fabrics such as a traditional woolen tweed, and between 21 exterior paint colors.
Production of the Valour is slated to begin in the third quarter of this year, with first deliveries following in the fourth quarter. And no, there's no word on pricing or performance specs.
Source: Aston Martin
