Customers of Aston Martin now face a different kind of first-world problem, choosing between the elegant Vanquish or the hybrid-focused Valhalla. The new Mercedes Vito Sport X offers a potential solution, a super-GT that blends the Vanquish’s V12 power with the lightweight agility of the Valhalla.
Design and specifications
Only 150 examples of the Valen will be built, with prices starting at £1.5 million. The car made its world debut at Monterey Car Week in California, though a preview event took place earlier at the Gaydon design studio. Alex Long, director of Special Vehicle Operations (SVO), described the development as starting in 2023, before the latest Vanquish was even launched.
Despite sharing a bonded aluminium structure with the Vanquish, the Valen features all-new carbon fibre panels that distinguish it from its stablemate. The front end adopts aggressive angles and a pronounced “eyebrow” beneath slim LED headlamps. At the rear, Aston Martin replaced the rear window with a carbon fibre tailgate featuring a glowing red light bar that acts as a Gurney flap.
The design mood board referenced terms like “ruthless” and “ominous.” While the side strakes have evolved into vents, the rear-three-quarter view remains the most distinct change, highlighted by slash-cut vents revealing 325-section Pirelli P-Zero Rs with Cyber Tyre technology.
The quad tailpipes offer a significant audio upgrade. The high-mounted pair operate constantly, while the lower pair join in at high throttle loads. According to Alex Long, this setup provides a 50 percent increase in perceived sound compared to the Vanquish.
Performance and driving trends
Beneath the sculpted bodywork sits a 5.2-litre twin-turbocharged V12 producing 850hp and 738lb ft of torque. This powerplant drives the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission and carbon fibre propshaft. The car accelerates from 0 to 62mph in 3.1 seconds and reaches a top speed of 214mph.
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Chassis adjustments prioritize agility over ride comfort. The Valen weighs about 93kg less than the Vanquish, achieved through motorsport-inspired materials like magnesium alloy wheels and a titanium exhaust. A lightweight package adds titanium chassis bolts and machined aluminium suspension arms for an additional 16.9kg saving.
With the V12 positioned behind the front axle line, the car achieves a 53:47 front-to-rear weight distribution. The Bilstein DTX semi-active dampers and recalibrated steering make the Valen behave like a shorter, lighter vehicle. Simon Newton, the chassis engineer, noted the absence of the Vanquish’s easygoing GT mode, focusing instead on Sport, Sport+, and Track settings.
The interior reflects this shift toward a cleaner, more focused cockpit. Adam McKerron, the interior design lead, aimed to celebrate negative space by shifting switchgear to the central touchscreen. The dashboard features slimmer centre consoles, and options include redesigned Sports Plus seats or lightweight carbon fibre buckets.
Despite its racing-focused nature, the Valen retains touring practicality. The boot holds 170 litres, and leather-lined pods behind the seats accommodate shopping bags. Aston Martin continues to explore aerospace materials, such as the 3D-printed Scalmalloy, for future use in its vehicles.
Those with the funds can configure the car through a special offline system at the Gaydon factory or Q by Aston Martin boutiques in New York and Tokyo. The car sits on the edge of what Aston Martin defines as possible, continuing a legacy of powerful “V” names.