Porsche 718 Spyder RS vs Aston Martin Valour
Compare the Porsche 718 Spyder RS vs Aston Martin Valour. The Porsche 718 Spyder RS is £570,000 cheaper. The Porsche 718 Spyder RS is 0.1s quicker to 60mph. The Porsche 718 Spyder RS is more fuel efficient. Full performance, cost & ownership breakdown.
The Porsche 718 Spyder RS is priced from £140,000, powered by a 4.0L Flat-6, producing 493 hp, with 450 Nm of torque, reaching 0-60 mph in 3.4s, a top speed of 196 mph, sent to the road via rear-wheel drive. The Aston Martin Valour is priced from £1,500,000, powered by a 5.2L Twin-Turbo V12, producing 705 hp, with 753 Nm of torque, reaching 0-60 mph in 3.5s, a top speed of 202 mph, sent to the road via rear-wheel drive.
The Porsche 718 Spyder RS offers a 125-litre boot, a usable front boot, runs on petrol, returns around 23 mpg, is covered by a 4yr / 50k mi warranty. The Aston Martin Valour offers a 200-litre boot, runs on petrol, returns around 20 mpg, is covered by a 3yr / unlimited mi warranty.
On cost of ownership, the Porsche 718 Spyder RS is £570,000 cheaper than its rival, the Porsche 718 Spyder RS costs less in annual maintenance (£1,400 versus £3,500), the Porsche 718 Spyder RS is the more fuel-efficient choice, a full tank costs around £70 for the Porsche 718 Spyder RS and £95 for the Aston Martin Valour.
Driving Character: Porsche 718 Spyder RS vs Aston Martin Valour
The Porsche 718 Spyder RS is defined by its mid-engine configuration and the installation of the 4.0L flat-six from the GT3. The chassis is a masterpiece of precision, featuring RS-specific suspension geometry that rewards technical accuracy. The steering feel is sharp and communicative, offering a visceral connection to the tarmac that few modern roadsters can replicate. While it is certainly capable on a track, the engine note and open-top architecture make it a raw experience on winding B-roads. The gearshifts are lightning fast, ensuring the powertrain remains at the heart of the driving sensation throughout every spirited corner.
The Valour represents an unapologetic return to analogue roots, pairing a 705 hp twin-turbo 5.2L V12 with a traditional six-speed manual gearbox. It eschews modern dual-clutch complexity, placing the onus of performance entirely on the driver’s mastery of the mechanical linkage. While the chassis lacks the overt driver aids of its mid-engined peers, the balance is rewarding for those who seek to exploit its longitudinal weight distribution. Steering is communicative, albeit heavy, reinforcing the sense of piloting a vehicle designed for raw engagement rather than clinical lap-time perfection across a circuit.
Head-to-head, the division is clear: the Porsche 718 Spyder RS takes our 0-100 driving character grading, 94 against 90. Characteristic of the Porsche 718 Spyder RS: GT4 RS power in an open-top body - visceral and track-honed. For the Aston Martin Valour: Naturally-tuned V12 paired with a rare manual gearbox for maximum engagement. In outright terms it is 493 hp against 705 — a 212 hp gap — and the Porsche 718 Spyder RS reaches 60 mph 0.1s sooner.
Interior & Cabin: Porsche 718 Spyder RS vs Aston Martin Valour
Inside, the Porsche 718 Spyder RS prioritises weight saving over luxury. The carbon fibre bucket seats provide immense support, while the use of fabric door pulls and minimal sound insulation highlights its motorsport heritage. Build quality is characteristically high, though the cabin environment is undeniably sparse compared to a standard 718. The infotainment system is functional rather than flashy, providing necessary data without distracting from the task of driving. Despite the lack of plush padding, the driver-focused ergonomics remain impeccable, creating a purposeful space that reflects the uncompromising nature of the vehicle’s design philosophy.
Inside, the Valour is a masterclass in bespoke craftsmanship, defined by a minimalist approach that rejects digital clutter. The machined aluminium gear shifter and quilted leather upholstery create an ambience of bespoke luxury that feels miles removed from mass-produced hypercars. Build quality is exemplary, reflecting the exclusive nature of this limited-run model. However, space is at a premium; the cabin is strictly for two, and storage options are virtually non-existent, requiring occupants to travel light. The focus remains entirely on the sensory experience of the switchgear and the low-slung, intimate driving position.
Head-to-head, the division is clear: the Aston Martin Valour takes our 0-100 interior & cabin grading, 52 against 78. Characteristic of the Porsche 718 Spyder RS: Stripped-back, motorsport-focused cockpit. For the Aston Martin Valour: Retro-styled cabin blending analogue switchgear with modern craftsmanship.
Daily Usability: Porsche 718 Spyder RS vs Aston Martin Valour
Daily utility is clearly secondary to performance in the Porsche 718 Spyder RS, yet it remains surprisingly manageable. The inclusion of a nose lift system as standard allows for navigation over urban speed bumps and steep inclines without damaging the front splitter. Storage is adequate for a weekend getaway, with both a front boot and a rear luggage compartment available for essential items. Ingress and egress require some physical agility due to the low-slung bucket seats and side sills, but for owners who accept the compromise of a manual roof operation, it serves as a usable roadster.
Despite its imposing performance credentials, this car struggles with the mundane realities of urban life. The lack of a front-end lift system as standard makes navigating speed humps and steep driveways a nerve-wracking affair, given the aggressive front splitter design. Furthermore, the combination of a high-power V12 and a heavy-clutch manual transmission ensures that commuting is anything but effortless. It is a vehicle built for open roads and dedicated weekend drives, where the physical effort of operation is part of the charm, rather than a hinderance to routine errand-running.
Head-to-head, the division is clear: the Aston Martin Valour takes our 0-100 daily usability grading, 38 against 48. Characteristic of the Porsche 718 Spyder RS: Usable but clearly built for spirited driving over commuting. For the Aston Martin Valour: Usable but firmly a weekend/collector's car. that means 125 litres of boot space against 200, plus a usable front boot in the Porsche 718 Spyder RS, and everyday running costs that favour the Porsche 718 Spyder RS at the pumps.
Ownership: Porsche 718 Spyder RS vs Aston Martin Valour
Ownership of the Porsche 718 Spyder RS is defined by its exclusivity and potential for appreciation. As a model with limited production, it sits in a secure position within the enthusiast market. While annual maintenance costs are high, the support provided by the Porsche Motorsport division offers peace of mind for specialized mechanical needs. Insurance premiums will be substantial, and the high purchase price requires careful consideration, but the prospect of long-term residual strength remains strong. For collectors and enthusiasts alike, it represents a peak of internal combustion performance within the Porsche stable.
Ownership of the Valour is defined by its extreme rarity, with only 110 units produced to mark Aston Martin’s 110th anniversary. This scarcity, combined with the specialised maintenance requirements of its V12 powertrain and manual transmission, keeps operating costs high. Owners benefit from the dedicated Q by Aston Martin concierge service, which provides tailored support for such a bespoke machine. While purchase prices are stratospheric, the model’s historical significance and limited production numbers suggest that it will likely remain a prized asset within any serious automotive collection for decades.
Head-to-head, the division is clear: the Porsche 718 Spyder RS takes our 0-100 ownership grading, 78 against 78. Characteristic of the Porsche 718 Spyder RS: Mechanically simple, Porsche-grade reliability. For the Aston Martin Valour: Instant collector status as a manual, limited-run V12 Aston. On the wallet the two diverge at £140,000 versus £1,500,000 — a £1,360,000 difference, with annual maintenance of £1,400 against £3,500, and warranty cover of 4yr / 50k mi versus 3yr / unlimited mi.