The new Aston Martin Valen has been unveiled at The Quail as part of the 2026 Monterey Car Week. With 838bhp it is the most powerful front-engined Aston Martin ever, beating the current Vanquish by 14bhp. The Valen is also 242lb (110kg) lighter than the Vanquish and more aggressive in both its pared-back styling and focussed driving dynamics. Aston is building just 150 Valens to follow in the tyre tracks of other limited edition V12s like the Vulcan, One-77, Valour and Valiant.
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Under the bonnet is the faithful 5.2-litre, twin-turbo twelve cylinder but thanks to a new, quad exit, titanium exhaust system Aston Martin says the Valen has been give a bolder voice that is more visceral. The 0-60mph time is down to just 3.0 seconds while top speed is still limited to 214mph. As well as 21-inch magnesium wheels, a 37lb (16.9kg) weight saving comes from an optional lightweight pack that includes suspension arms and knuckles machined from billet aluminium and titanium chassis bolts. The Bilstein DTX dampers have been retuned for the Valen, but of perhaps even more interest are the tyres. The Pirellis are bespoke AML items but are also Cyber Tyres with micro sensors in them that communicate with the Valen's Bosch ECUs to adjust things such as ABS, ESC and traction control in real time with relation to tyre temperature, load, tread wear and pressure. Clever stuff.
The Valen's carbon fibre bodywork is resplendent in Satin Andromeda Red paint which seems to take on every shade from purple to green to gold. Aerodynamic aspects such as the rear diffuser and the slashed side sills are highlighted in silver. There is no rear window, which adds to the mean look of the rear but there is a hatch that lifts up to reveal some luggage space. Later in the video Marek Reichman, Aston Martin's Chief Creative Officer, talks Henry Catchpole through some of these design decisions.
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At Pebble Beach, I got a first look at the Aston Martin Valen, the most track-focused, front-engined road car Aston Martin has ever built.
Road-legal, but everything about it comes from the track: a 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12 paired with a manual transmission, exposed gear linkages, magnesium wheels, carbon-fiber aero covers, a quad titanium exhaust, a half-cage, race-bred dampers, and motorsport-grade lightweighting throughout.
It blends the raw, stripped-back feel of 1970s race cars with modern pit-lane technology and materials. The project began as a personal commission from Fernando Alonso, who wanted a car built purely around the thrill of driving with no compromise.
Aston Martin has unveiled the new Valen, a limited-production V12 supercar billed as the world’s most powerful front-engined production car. Created by Q by Aston Martin with support from the company’s Special Vehicle Operations division, the Aston Martin Valen combines 850 PS, extensive weight reduction and a dramatic full carbon-fibre body.
Power comes from Aston Martin’s 5.2-litre twin-turbocharged V12, tuned to produce 850 PS and 1,000 Nm of torque. A sharper-shifting eight-speed ZF automatic transmission uses strategies derived from the Vantage GT4 racing programme, helping the Valen accelerate from 0-60 mph in 3.0 seconds before reaching an electronically limited 214 mph top speed.
Weight reduction has been another major focus. Aston Martin says the Valen can be up to 110 kg lighter than its core V12 platform through extensive use of carbon fibre, aluminium, titanium and magnesium. Standard magnesium wheels reduce unsprung mass, while an optional lightweight package adds machined aluminium suspension components and titanium chassis bolts for a further 16.9 kg saving.
The Aston Martin Valen also receives model-specific chassis tuning, Bilstein DTX semi-active dampers, revised steering calibration and large 410 mm front and 360 mm rear carbon-ceramic brakes. Drivers can select Sport, Sport+ and Track modes, each featuring dedicated throttle and chassis settings.
A bespoke titanium exhaust system gives the V12 a more aggressive soundtrack while reducing weight. Four exhaust outlets include 3D-printed titanium finishers, with two permanently open upper pipes and valved lower outlets that change according to the selected driving mode.
Visually, the Valen represents a more extreme interpretation of Aston Martin’s front-engined supercar formula. Its full carbon-fibre bodywork features slim headlights, a heavily sculpted bonnet, aggressive aerodynamic surfaces and a distinctive full-width rear light bar. Customers can even specify a fully exposed carbon-fibre exterior with bespoke tinted finishes through Q by Aston Martin.
Production of the Aston Martin Valen will be limited to just 150 cars worldwide, with first customer deliveries scheduled for the second quarter of 2027.
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The materials on the Media site - including text, photographs, work of drawing, audio production, film production, musical composition, or other compilation of data ("Materials") - are protected by copyright and/or other applicable law and are solely for personal non-commercial and/or editorial use. By downloading the Materials from this Media Site you hereby accept and agree to be bound by our Media Site Terms and Conditions.
- I know he's a journalist, but you can tell Henry would rather experience driving it than listen to the chiefs description. After all, this is "The Drivers Seat."
What Aston Martin just did to Henry was turn him into a talking head like a modern Top Gear press release, rather than his own eloquent reviews behind the wheel. I feel bad for him on this one... dare I say I sense resentment somewhere I n his presentation?
- So, Aston Martin is 'sooooo advance' they created a Ford Mustang clone, LOL? Maybe Aston Martin should go BACK to design cars that look beautiful and drive well. Growing up watching James Bond movies, it was a dream to own an Aston Martin. Now the dream is NOT to own an Aston Martin, LOL...
- I get it, I love the Aston brand, but this thing has too much Japanese Anime influence. The front and rear forms in that particular paint scheme are totally disjointed. Angled chaos, but that is just my personal bias. Hard to visually beat a DB4 GT Zagato.
- My god, what a museum piece. It looks stunning, and wildly performant. I don't think any of them will see much mileage though and I find that's a bit sad.
'This is about enjoying your on-road driving experience.' I hope I'm wrong but none of the 150 Valens will be enjoyed on a day-to-day onroad basis given their production numbers (and likely price) aimed squarely at someone who will own far more vehicles than they can enjoy.
The Vantage would be that true road-going driving enjoyment car, despite it not having a V12.
- Disappointing. Love Henry's videos and take on things, but a walkaround without a drive feels like I've been had, and ends up coming across as more of a corporate puff piece.
- Based on the evidence here the Scania N series double decker busses operated by Nottingham City Transport are more capable because at least they can actually be seen to move.
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Under the bonnet is the faithful 5.2-litre, twin-turbo twelve cylinder but thanks to a new, quad exit, titanium exhaust system Aston Martin says the Valen has been give a bolder voice that is more visceral. The 0-60mph time is down to just 3.0 seconds while top speed is still limited to 214mph. As well as 21-inch magnesium wheels, a 37lb (16.9kg) weight saving comes from an optional lightweight pack that includes suspension arms and knuckles machined from billet aluminium and titanium chassis bolts. The Bilstein DTX dampers have been retuned for the Valen, but of perhaps even more interest are the tyres. The Pirellis are bespoke AML items but are also Cyber Tyres with micro sensors in them that communicate with the Valen's Bosch ECUs to adjust things such as ABS, ESC and traction control in real time with relation to tyre temperature, load, tread wear and pressure. Clever stuff.
The Valen's carbon fibre bodywork is resplendent in Satin Andromeda Red paint which seems to take on every shade from purple to green to gold. Aerodynamic aspects such as the rear diffuser and the slashed side sills are highlighted in silver. There is no rear window, which adds to the mean look of the rear but there is a hatch that lifts up to reveal some luggage space. Later in the video Marek Reichman, Aston Martin's Chief Creative Officer, talks Henry Catchpole through some of these design decisions.
MORE INFO
At Pebble Beach, I got a first look at the Aston Martin Valen, the most track-focused, front-engined road car Aston Martin has ever built.
Road-legal, but everything about it comes from the track: a 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12 paired with a manual transmission, exposed gear linkages, magnesium wheels, carbon-fiber aero covers, a quad titanium exhaust, a half-cage, race-bred dampers, and motorsport-grade lightweighting throughout.
It blends the raw, stripped-back feel of 1970s race cars with modern pit-lane technology and materials. The project began as a personal commission from Fernando Alonso, who wanted a car built purely around the thrill of driving with no compromise.
Power comes from Aston Martin’s 5.2-litre twin-turbocharged V12, tuned to produce 850 PS and 1,000 Nm of torque. A sharper-shifting eight-speed ZF automatic transmission uses strategies derived from the Vantage GT4 racing programme, helping the Valen accelerate from 0-60 mph in 3.0 seconds before reaching an electronically limited 214 mph top speed.
Weight reduction has been another major focus. Aston Martin says the Valen can be up to 110 kg lighter than its core V12 platform through extensive use of carbon fibre, aluminium, titanium and magnesium. Standard magnesium wheels reduce unsprung mass, while an optional lightweight package adds machined aluminium suspension components and titanium chassis bolts for a further 16.9 kg saving.
The Aston Martin Valen also receives model-specific chassis tuning, Bilstein DTX semi-active dampers, revised steering calibration and large 410 mm front and 360 mm rear carbon-ceramic brakes. Drivers can select Sport, Sport+ and Track modes, each featuring dedicated throttle and chassis settings.
A bespoke titanium exhaust system gives the V12 a more aggressive soundtrack while reducing weight. Four exhaust outlets include 3D-printed titanium finishers, with two permanently open upper pipes and valved lower outlets that change according to the selected driving mode.
Visually, the Valen represents a more extreme interpretation of Aston Martin’s front-engined supercar formula. Its full carbon-fibre bodywork features slim headlights, a heavily sculpted bonnet, aggressive aerodynamic surfaces and a distinctive full-width rear light bar. Customers can even specify a fully exposed carbon-fibre exterior with bespoke tinted finishes through Q by Aston Martin.
Production of the Aston Martin Valen will be limited to just 150 cars worldwide, with first customer deliveries scheduled for the second quarter of 2027.
INFO IMAGE Media Site Agreement to Use Please read carefully
The materials on the Media site - including text, photographs, work of drawing, audio production, film production, musical composition, or other compilation of data ("Materials") - are protected by copyright and/or other applicable law and are solely for personal non-commercial and/or editorial use. By downloading the Materials from this Media Site you hereby accept and agree to be bound by our Media Site Terms and Conditions.
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- Hmmmm.... not sure if Aston martin is copying my styling cues, or if we just both share the same good taste.. either way this is the third release from them that has plenty in common with a certain Aston Martin Vellere in my garage....love it :)- I know he's a journalist, but you can tell Henry would rather experience driving it than listen to the chiefs description. After all, this is "The Drivers Seat."
What Aston Martin just did to Henry was turn him into a talking head like a modern Top Gear press release, rather than his own eloquent reviews behind the wheel. I feel bad for him on this one... dare I say I sense resentment somewhere I n his presentation?
- So, Aston Martin is 'sooooo advance' they created a Ford Mustang clone, LOL? Maybe Aston Martin should go BACK to design cars that look beautiful and drive well. Growing up watching James Bond movies, it was a dream to own an Aston Martin. Now the dream is NOT to own an Aston Martin, LOL...
- I get it, I love the Aston brand, but this thing has too much Japanese Anime influence. The front and rear forms in that particular paint scheme are totally disjointed. Angled chaos, but that is just my personal bias. Hard to visually beat a DB4 GT Zagato.
- My god, what a museum piece. It looks stunning, and wildly performant. I don't think any of them will see much mileage though and I find that's a bit sad.
'This is about enjoying your on-road driving experience.' I hope I'm wrong but none of the 150 Valens will be enjoyed on a day-to-day onroad basis given their production numbers (and likely price) aimed squarely at someone who will own far more vehicles than they can enjoy.
The Vantage would be that true road-going driving enjoyment car, despite it not having a V12.
- Disappointing. Love Henry's videos and take on things, but a walkaround without a drive feels like I've been had, and ends up coming across as more of a corporate puff piece.
- Based on the evidence here the Scania N series double decker busses operated by Nottingham City Transport are more capable because at least they can actually be seen to move.
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