Vantage Legacy Collection Will Appeal To Aston Martin Racing Fans
The British car industry seems to constantly find itself in trouble decade after decade, but we must remember that many British car brands have actually accomplished great things on the world stage. Take Aston Martin, for example.
They’re in some hot soup financially, but no one can deny the brand’s strength and appeal. Not only have they been the go-to car brand for James Bond over much of the film series’ course, but they’ve also a strong motorsport pedigree.
And many of these wins happened pretty recently. That’s why Aston Martin Racing have put together a ‘Vantage Legacy Collection’ – to commemorate a very successful and fairly recent era in motorsport now that the older Vantage has been replaced.
The Vantage Legacy Collection consists of three units of the 2005 Aston Martin V8 Vantages. What they have in common is that they’re all brand new chassis, race-ready, and share a sterling green + yellow trim livery. They’re also all made in Aston Martin Racing’s Workshop and will be sold as a set.
Here are details on each model in the Vantage Legacy Collection.
Aston Martin Vantage GT4
The Vantage GT4 was the first racing car created around the VH-era architecture and was introduced in 2009. 9 years later, 107 were made with many still competing and winning races today. The one in the Vantage Legacy Collection is the 108th and final model of its kind.
Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3
In 2012, Aston Martin created this V12 model, which won British GT championship titles 4 years following its launch. Only 46 were made.
Aston Martin V8 Vantage GTE
Also in 2012, Aston Martin created this model to take on endurance races in the LMP1 class. The V8 Vantage GTE started off at Sebring and took its first win at the final round of the FIA World Endurance Championship in Shanghai the year it debuted. Just 6 of these were built and they were last fielded at the 2018 Le Mans in the GTE Am class. It won 7 titles and two Le Mans class victories in its lifespan and is the most successful car in its class. This is the 7th and final V8 Vantage GTE and gets the fitting 007 chassis number.
Each car’s specifications are listed below.
CAR SPECIFICATIONS
VANTAGE GT4
Engine & Transmission
- Aston Martin Racing 4.7-litre V8 engine
- Weight-reduced rear silencer or straight-through tailpipes
- FIA-approved bag type 115-litre centrally mounted fuel tank with twin fill
- Six-speed Sportshift (ASM) transmission
- Twin-plate cera-metallic clutch with lightweight flywheel
Chassis
- FIA approved full rollcage in 15CDV6 high-strength steel
- Integral air jacks
- Polycarbonate side and rear windows
- Side sills with exposed carbon fibre rib
- Quick-release bonnet and tailgate
- Carbon fibre side strakes
- Reduced weight wiring harness
- Lightweight battery
Suspension
- Double wishbone suspension adjustable for toe, caster and camber
- 2-way adjustable Koni dampers
- Stiffened front and rear anti-roll bars
- Spherical bearing suspension
Interior
- Recaro competition seat embroidered with Aston Martin Racing logo
- Recaro HANS compatible seat (optional)
- Sabelt six-point safety harness
- FIA compliant Lifeline plumbed-in extinguisher system
- Lightweight door casings
- Weight-reduced facia, trimmed in Alcantara
- Quick-release steering wheel
Aerodynamics
- Adjustable carbon-fibre rear wing
- Increased protrusion front splitter
- Carbon-fibre front dive planes
Brakes
- Four-piston monoblock calipers fitted with
- high-performance Pagid RS 29 race pads
- Uprated two-piece front brake discs
- Twin front brake cooling ducts
- Endurance brake package
- Bosch race-developed ABS and traction control system
Wheels
- Magnesium 5-stud wheels
- Front – 10” x 18”
- Rear – 11” x 18”
V12 VANTAGE GT3
Chassis
- Lightweight aluminium chassis
- Steel rollcage to FIA safety standards
- High speed pneumatic jack system
- Low engine position
Engine
- Lightweight 6-litre V12
- Dry sump oil system
- Engine repositioned to optimise weight distribution and centre of gravity
- Power 600 bhp
- Torque 700 Nm
Transmission
- Xtrac six-speed semi-automatic paddle shift transmission
- Racing clutch
- Limited slip ramp/plate differential
- Easily accessible drop gears
- Carbon fibre prop-shaft
Cockpit
- 8862 safety seat
- Six-point safety harness
- Racing seat nets
- Lightweight battery
- Carbon fibre dash
- Fire extinguisher8862 safety seat system
- Driver display and shift lights
Body
- Front splitter
- Adjustable full width carbon fibre rear wing
- Aerodynamically optimised bumpers, side sills and rear fenders
- Removable carbon-fibre body panels
- Aluminium roof
Fuel system
- 125-litre fuel cell to FIA safety standards
- Twin quick-release couplings
Suspension
- Double wishbone suspension with uniball bearings
- Four-way adjustable Bilstein dampers
- Optimised geometry for lower ride height
Brakes
- Six-pot front calipers
- Ventilated front & rear brake disc
- Four-pot rear caliper
- Manually adjustable front/rear brake bias
Wheels
- Front 12.5” x 18”
- Rear 13” x 18”
Weight
- Dry weight 1250 kg
V8 VANTAGE GTE
Chassis
- Lightweight aluminium chassis
- Steel roll cage to FIA safety standards
- High speed pneumatic air jack system
Engine
- Lightweight V8
- Dry sump oil system
- Engine repositioned to optimise
- weight distribution
- Power > 500 bhp*
- Torque > 500 Nm*
Transmission
- 6-speed semi-automatic paddle shift gear change
- ZF Sachs Racing clutch
- Limited slip combination VC and ramp/plate differential
- Carbon fibre propshaft
Body
- Full aerodynamic update to 2016 LMGTE regulations
- Lightweight carbon fibre bodywork
- Aluminium roof with driver safety access hatch
- CFD optimised aerodynamics with splitter and diffuser
- Adjustable carbon fibre rear wing
Fuel system
- Designed to FIA safety standards
- Twin quick release couplings
Brakes
- Front: six pot Brembo calipers
- Rear: four pot Brembo calipers
- Vented discs
- Pagid RS pads
- Bespoke lightweight pedal box
- Goodridge hydraulic brake lines
Wheels & Tyres
- TWS Mg front 12.5” x 18”
- TWS Mg rear 13.0” x 18”
- Dunlop 305-680R18
- Dunlop 312-705R18
Weight & Dimensions
- Length 4550 mm
- Width 1963 mm
- Height 1185 mm
- Wheelbase 2600 mm
- Dry weight 1240 kg*
- *Dependent on Balance of Performance BoP
About the Author
Subhash Nair Written work on dsf.my. @subhashtag on instagram. Autophiles Malaysia on Youtube.
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