The GT8! Carbon fibre bodied £200K 440BHP 7 Speed V8.

[will77]

FFM said:

I have already an high-level view of what I want. I think there are "must-have"s and "non-must have" in the list you made, but at the end of the day, it is about "what I want the car to do" and "at what budget". I don't want to influence you based on my "vision"...and, obviously, anticipate too much before your Monday visit.

Let's do that, when the car will be officially announced and final price/options etc fully finalised, let's open another thread to help each other understand what is needed and what is not needed. I am sure there will be many other Aston owners that went through this process and can provide further insights.

Sounds good?

p.s. enjoy your visit on Monday!

Sounds good FFM. Agree with your post above re manual gearbox vs GT12 carbon console, for me it would be manual every time (the GT12 carbon console is very cool though)

[cayman-black]

FFM said:

Wow, that's Pagani-level rare! Uk car moved there or 100% Italian?

Full uk.

[V8Staffie]

Thanks FFM for the update

I am going to the factory on the 18th April to spec mine and it's great to hear yours / others views on options.
I have been criticised by Er indoors for my knee jerk decisions when changing my cars so I took my time this time weighed up the pro's and cons etc and then made my decision to buy! I do admire you taking a matter of minutes as I still signed up quicker than that!
I currently have a Vantage V12 S Roadster that I don't think I will ever part with so we will see, my man maths is keeping both

I will certainly mention the organising of events when I am up there although my priority is to blag donations for Burghley where possible! As a minimum expect a GT8 to be there

[FFM]

V8Staffie said:

Thanks FFM for the update

I am going to the factory on the 18th April to spec mine and it's great to hear yours / others views on options.
I have been criticised by Er indoors for my knee jerk decisions when changing my cars so I took my time this time weighed up the pro's and cons etc and then made my decision to buy! I do admire you taking a matter of minutes as I still signed up quicker than that!
I currently have a Vantage V12 S Roadster that I don't think I will ever part with so we will see, my man maths is keeping both

I will certainly mention the organising of events when I am up there although my priority is to blag donations for Burghley where possible! As a minimum expect a GT8 to be there

No problem! Take your time to think what you want, you don't have to spec the car on the 18th anyway. "Probably" by that time the car will be announced so we may have deadlines for specc'ing the car communicated at that stage.
Btw, I may be there again on the 18th with a friend of mine. I would like to go to the WEC at Silverstone and the day after go back to Gaydon. I'll let you know in case.

Anyone else here plan to attend Silverstone WEC?

[Flugplatz]

Just back from a wonderful day at Gaydon

If you are driving down from the north be aware that the Gaydon junction is closed southbound so its an extra 25 miles down to next junction and back up again.

First AM factory visit and it did not disappoint.
The place is beautiful and the representatives of the company are great.

The GT8 looks fantastic and sounds AMAZING!!!!!!!

My pal spec'd his to 200K level today with a few bits from Q added but that's without the centre locks which in magnesium are an £18,000 option.

I couldn't convince him to go manual which I think would suit the car so paddles it is just like the LHD car we saw today.

Over 100 of the 153 cars are now sold.

The clocks are fantastic. I want them for my V12VSR.

Edited by Flugplatz on Thursday 7th April 22:53

[RobDown]

I'm there on the morning of the 18th too, so might see you, I'm sure we can persuade them to field a gt8 prototype at burghley between us!

The issue in my head is gt8 vs v12vs manual roadster. Two completely different cars, with different appeals. Having just sold the db5 (a long story), I want something a bit unusual to replace it with (the gt8 fits the bill). But ive always been a sucker for open top cars

Decisions, decisions

[FFM]

RobDown said:

I'm there on the morning of the 18th too, so might see you, I'm sure we can persuade them to field a gt8 prototype at burghley between us!

The issue in my head is gt8 vs v12vs manual roadster. Two completely different cars, with different appeals. Having just sold the db5 (a long story), I want something a bit unusual to replace it with (the gt8 fits the bill). But ive always been a sucker for open top cars

Decisions, decisions

That's a good problem to have! my view? If you don't want to regret, go for the GT8. I tell you why, seeing from the GT12, it will be very very rare to find one for sale eventually in the secondary market (particularly in the UK), and when the time comes, it will be likely in a spec/colour combo you may not like 100%. On the other hand, with the V12vS manual there will be a higher chance to find one for sale.

This won't be necessarily driven by the total potential supply of cars in the market, indeed, I believe they will produce not many V12VS (likely <1,000?). I think the reason driving this is probably in the difference between the typical GT8/V12VS owner of the cars. On average, my guess is the GT8 owner will likely keep his car longer than a V12VS's, and this will determine fewer cars available in the secondary market in the future.

That's also a reason for me saying (again) these cars are not comparable.

Hope it helps!
F

[Flugplatz]

There are 2 listed on mobile.de.

One at 799,000 Euros and one at 499,000 Euros.

[jonby]

I know it's referred to as titanium and has more central outlets, but does anyone know what the GT12 exhasut actually comprises of ? And indeed the engine upgrades in general - it's all a little vague in the AML releases

I know there is a new inlet manifold which is a slightly different matter

but what else ? Is the titanium exhaust just the backbox, does it include the pipes up to the exhaust manifold, are the exhaust manifolds the same, are there still cats in two places, etc ? I think I'm right in saying the only changes made to the actual powertrain apart from the inlet manifold are to the whole area of exhaust, but again, may be mis-remembering

[FFM]

jonby said:

I know it's referred to as titanium and has more central outlets, but does anyone know what the GT12 exhasut actually comprises of ? And indeed the engine upgrades in general - it's all a little vague in the AML releases

I know there is a new inlet manifold which is a slightly different matter

but what else ? Is the titanium exhaust just the backbox, does it include the pipes up to the exhaust manifold, are the exhaust manifolds the same, are there still cats in two places, etc ? I think I'm right in saying the only changes made to the actual powertrain apart from the inlet manifold are to the whole area of exhaust, but again, may be mis-remembering

Interestingly enough, when I was recently at Works, they had 3 GT12 for service (btw, 1 was the 1 out 4 original press car with the white alcantara). I asked one the guy to show me the underneath of two of these, to compare. The titanium is not only the exhaust (i.e. the outer piece black-looking on the back of the car), it includes all the two pipes all throughout. I can tell from the pipes' blue accent, present in the car being used more, that this is Titanium. I presume the titanium also goes up to the engine but I couldn't confirm/see.

That is why the titanium exhaust offered as option in the car is quite expensive, on the other side brings few kilos in weight saving, a different finish to the exhaust (black vs. steel-looking) and, maybe, in sound.

Interesting to hear others opinion's on whether this option can be considered as a "must-have". What do you think guys?

[JohnG1]

Anyone seeing the GT8 - can you ask if Akrapovic made the exhaust?

I suspect they made the GT12 system since I don't know anyone else in Europe who supplies OEM quality exhausts in Titanium...

[Jon39]

[AdamV12V]

Jon39 said:

That's almost certainly a mule or perhaps just a GT12 Jon! Too many body parts are wrong, front bonnet, strakes area and rear wing are all from GT12, not GT8

[Inspirine]

Any idea of what are the color schemes available?
Main options available?
Did you guys manage to freeze your built or that was just discovery only at this stage?

[FFM]

Inspirine said:

Any idea of what are the color schemes available?
Main options available?
Did you guys manage to freeze your built or that was just discovery only at this stage?

There are 3 halo colour schemes which include the accent as well. These are optionals.

I am in touch the product manager of the GT8 and I sent him dozen of q's last Friday. Received a reply yesterday.

Basically my qs were focused on the key differences vs V8S/N430 regarding the Suspension (e.g. the reason for not developing an adjustable one), DSC, confirm what the Titanium exhaust includes (btw, it's a full exhaust start-to-end and the kg saving is relevant, it was 18kg on the GT12) and other details.

Regarding the main options, that is an interesting topic to open. My early view is to avoid over-spec'ing the car and keep it in line with its original vision.
In order:

1) Aero pack: The car will be about aerodynamics and being lightweight so it's a must. If I were AM I would have included as standard and created a "delete" option (the GT8 will look stunning even without aero-pack, but I am not brave enough to go for it. The good thing is the wing looked more proportioned in the GT8 than in the GT12, purely personal feel).

2) Titanium exhaust: again was expecting this as standard

3) Exposed carbon-fibre on the bodywork (front/rear bumper, diffuser, spitter, side sills). More personal, not a 100%-must-have. I am not sure about paying more for the paint job on the carbon fibre panels (i.e. the accent) too

The others options I am not sure will add "value" to the car. These are really, really, pricey and hard to justify, for me.
Meaning of value is two-fold: A) options that improve drive, dynamics, sound, etc. B) options likely valued by a perspective future buyer (i.e. stuff that can be easily retrofit, that makes the car too unique or too far from the original project I don't think are "value" options either)

- Wheels: Are the 5-spoke standard wheels different in design from the V8S? I don't honestly remember, anyone here who can help?
GT12 wheels with Centre-lock: >£10k, cool but no thanks
or GT12 Magnesium wheels with centre lock: almost £20k, no thanks
If you have the above you will be really really scared when using the car and likely not use the car as originally intended!

- Carbon fibre roof: don't remember the price but again, likely to be really expensive, if so, "no thanks"
- Plastic rear windows (3): too expensive
- Premium sound/B&O: I wouldn't personally spec it but want to hear your comments on this
- roll cage: cool but again no thanks
- there are many others I forgot to mention (exactly for this reason, mostly of those are likely not to be "value"-relevant for me)


In any case, nothing at this stage is freeze, still time to customise and iterate.

What do you guys think?

Edited by FFM on Tuesday 12th April 10:31

[carbonfib3r]

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/aston-m...

Without the horseshoe vent, this is it.

[Jon39]

Edited by Jon39 on Wednesday 13th April 22:33

[Jon39]

Here is a GTE for comparison.



Come the replacement Vantage, there might be quite a few GTE and GT3 cars for sale.
Now there's a thought.

[RobDown]

Jon39 said:

Here is a GTE for comparison.



Come the replacement Vantage, there might be quite a few GTE and GT3 cars for sale.
Now there's a thought.

That's what happens if you park your car in Liverpool for too long

[FFM]

If I recall correctly, I believe the GTE is a >£700k car, a GT3 a bit cheaper at >£500k, so don't think they will be selling them cheaply (and there aren't many GTE around compared to, say, GT4s)

http://www.astonmartin.com/en/racing/race-cars/for...


Anyway, I have a friend I introduced to my dealer few weeks ago, he was into the GT8 but he didn't send the deposit in time. Yesterday, he told me the UK allocations are all gone.

Btw, anyone coming to Silverstone WEC this week-end?