Aston Martin doesn’t seem to have very many models on sale, at first glance. Most of their models are so similarly styled that only a proper enthusiast can distinguish them without taking a second look, with the exception of the 4-door Rapide naturally. But what models it does have are somehow both spectacular and subtle in the same breath. In stark contrast, their approach to racing is much louder and far more prominent.
With production strictly limited to just 100 examples, the new Vantage GT3 special edition combines all of Aston Martin’s learning from its years of sports car competition around the globe to produce its most performance focused road-going Vantage. Equipped with a new iteration of the brand’s 6.0-litre V12 engine which is capable of generating up to an estimated 600 PS, the car weighs in at 100kg less than a standard V12 Vantage S.
The GT3-inspired special edition is lower and wider than any of its siblings in the Vantage family. A broader track – front and rear – brings even more composed cornering thanks to a reduction in lateral load transfer, while the use of Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres provides even more assured handling. In layman’s terms, the wider track helps to handle lateral weight transitions a little better, while the stickier tyres simply provide some extra grip to maximise the use of the broader track.
Carbon fibre is the most coveted material you could get, so it only makes sense that this GT3-inspired model gets plenty of it. From the extensive use of carbon fibre inside and out to the track-focused aerodynamics pack – which includes a prominent rear wing and pronounced front splitter – the race-derived new Vantage brings more focused and uncompromising capability and styling to a road-going Aston Martin. These components aren’t merely designed for show and styling- they provide some extra downforce to keep the Vantage planted at higher speeds.
Inspired by Aston Martin Racing’s successful campaigns, this new GT3-derived Vantage has been designed and engineered exclusively at Aston Martin’s Gaydon Headquarters in Warwickshire, England, to be the most overt expression of everything that defines Vantage: an inspirational sports model offering supreme driveability on the road, and uncompromising dynamic performance on track.
New flared carbon fibre front wings, carbon fibre bonnet, a lithium ion race-derived battery, carbon-fibre door casings, optional carbon fibre roof, optional weight-saving polycarbonate rear window and rear quarter windows are just a few of the measures which illustrate the engineers’ determination to eliminate mass wherever possible. That determination has paid off, too, as the new car will weigh a little under 1,600 kg.
Magnesium inlet manifolds with revised geometry, a lightweight magnesium torque tube and a full titanium exhaust system with centre outlets are just a few of the features that underline the rigorous re-engineering of this exclusive new Vantage. The car’s interior is comprehensively reworked, too, with a full carbon fibre centre stack and touch-sensitive control array; race-derived carbon fibre sports seats; Alcantara trim and the option of numerous bespoke features courtesy of the brand’s popular personalisation service: Q by Aston Martin. Yes, that would be Q as in the charater- harking back to Aston Martin’s close ties with the James Bond franchise.
The Vantage GT3 special edition will make its public debut on 3 March at the 85th Geneva International Motor Show (Hall 5, Stand 5253), with first customer deliveries beginning in the third quarter of 2015.
