Fernando Alonso’s Aston Martin Valiant: What Makes It Special

• Aston Martin Valiant is an ultra-rare, front-engine V12 halo car built on the Valour platform that Fernando Alonso helped shape.
• It uses a twin-turbo 5.2-liter V12 making 735 hp and 555 lb-ft, sent to the rear via a six-speed manual.
• Fully allocated to a handful of clients, the track-focused Valiant contrasts with mid-engined hybrids like the Valhalla.

Fernando Alonso rolled past the Casino de Monte-Carlo this week in a car most people will never see in person: a black Aston Martin Valiant with round LED daytime running lights and a rear spoiler that looks borrowed from a race car. It is not his only exotic in town.

The two-time Formula 1 champion was also spotted driving his Aston Martin Valkyrie around Monaco in recent days, but the Valiant is the rarer sighting by far. The latest clip comes via an Instagram video highlighted by TheSupercarBlog, which shows the car easing away from the casino at night.

The Ultra-Rare V12 Fernando Alonso Helped Create

Under that aggressive bodywork sits a twin-turbocharged 5.2-liter V12 making 735 hp and 555 lb-ft of torque. It sends power to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox, a rarity on any modern supercar, let alone one this powerful. No paddle shifters, no dual-clutch shortcuts.

The Valiant wears striking alloy wheels, unique taillamps, and a huge rear wing; details that separate it visually from the Valour underneath. Aston Martin built it as one of the most driver-focused cars in its current lineup, closer in spirit to the brand’s track-oriented specials than to a comfort-first grand tourer.

That puts the Valiant in interesting company alongside cars like the Aston Martin Valhalla, though the two could not be more different mechanically. Where the Valhalla leans on hybrid power and a mid-engine layout, the Valiant keeps its V12 up front and its shifting duties entirely manual, a deliberate throwback as the rest of the segment goes electric.

How The F1 Star Shaped This Car

Aston Martin has positioned Alonso as more than a brand ambassador here. Reports describe him as closely involved in defining the Valiant’s character, with Formula 1-honed feedback influencing its weight reduction, power bump, and track-focused tuning. That collaboration goes beyond a simple endorsement and ties the car closely to his preferences.

Fully allocated to a handful of clients, the Valiant will not show up at a dealership near anyone. It follows a lineage that includes the Aston Martin DB12 S debut and other front-engine V12 models, but pushes further into track-ready hardware while keeping its plates legal. For a market chasing electrification, watching Alonso work a manual shifter through Monaco’s streets is a reminder of what still gets enthusiasts talking.

Motor1’s Take: Alonso’s input gives the Valiant rare credibility among collectors and purists. It proves Aston can still deliver boutique, driver-first cars as the market shifts. Do not expect it to sway volume sales, but watch how Aston applies its lessons. For fans who prize analogue driving, the Valiant matters.