Aston Martin today revealed details of its most potent and uncompromising Vantage to date: the track-inspired Vantage GT3 special edition.
Of course an Aston Martin special edition wouldn’t be right without an air of exclusivity about the whole thing and the Vantage GT3 is no different, only 100 examples will be put into production.
The Gaydon based car firm say it has bridged the gap between a road and track car by combining its years of experience in competitive racing around the globe, which has culminated into the most performance focused road-going Vantage to date.
The Vantage GT3 comes equipped with a new iteration of the 6.0-litre V12 engine, which has increased the power from 565bhp to 595bhp and Aston Martin didn’t stop there, this car weighs in at 100kg less than a standard V12 Vantage S.
Not only has the car been re-engineered, it has been significantly restyled; this special edition is lower and wider than any of its siblings in the Vantage family. Aston Martin say that the introduction of a broader track – front and rear – brings even more composed cornering thanks to a reduction in lateral load transfer and that the edition of Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres provides even more assured handling.
True to any thoroughbred Aston Martin, an extensive use of carbon fibre has been used inside and out; this includes a prominent rear wing and pronounced front splitter. And the love of carbon doesn’t stop there, 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 introduced to maximise when it comes to weight saving – the new car weighs in at only 1,565 kg.
Under the cars exterior lays a number of bespoke upgrades, aside from the new 595bhp V12 engine. 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 has been given a complete makeover too, with a full carbon fibre centre stack and touch-sensitive control panel; race-derived carbon fibre sports seats; Alcantara trim and the option of numerous bespoke features thanks to the brand’s personalisation service: Q by Aston Martin.
Announcing the arrival of the Vantage GT3 special edition, Aston Martin CEO Dr Andy Palmer said: “Motorsport is in our blood at Aston Martin. The Vantage is the car we campaign in top level sports car racing around the world and so it seems only fitting that we offer an exclusive, limited edition Vantage that expertly fuses our motorsport know-how with our road car prowess.”
He added: “The Vantage GT3 special edition is an uncompromising example of our design and engineering expertise and I’m sure the 100 owners who secure one of these cars will savour every second behind the wheel; whether on the road or on the track.”
The Vantage GT3 special edition will make its world debut on 3rd March at the 85th Geneva International Motor Show and first customer deliveries are expected in autumn of this year.
