Wednesday 13th June 2007

N24 V8 Vantage for the road

Aston Martin offer motorsport Vantage as a road car

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N24 will cost just over £100K in the UK

A factory-produced, hardcore Aston Martin road car will soon be a reality.

Aston Martin will be offering customers of its N24 V8 Vantage race car the opportunity to gain Single Vehicle Approval (SVA) so the cars are eligible for road use.

The pack will be offered as an after-market option at the time of purchase, and will be completed by Aston Martin Works Service at Newport Pagnell.

In a very British fashion, Aston politely point out that “customers are advised that whilst the Vantage N24 will be road legal after completing the SVA process, the car will not offer the levels of comfort and refinement for which Aston Martin’s have become renowned, and the ride and handling will reflect that of a race car.”

Two of the N24s at the N'ring 24 hours last weekend

The N24 has rapidly caught the imagination of enthusiasts as a customer race car, with appearances in long-distance classics such as the Nurburging 24 hours, a race winning debut in the new FIA GT4 series and some spectacular appearances in the French Rally Championship.

The N24 offers many modifications over the standard V8 Vantage including: racing safety equipment such as a roll cage, cut off switch and fuel bag tank; a lightened and balanced engine with revised cylinder heads that makes 410bhp (up from 380bhp in the standard car) and adjustable suspension with Speedline motorsport wheels.

Thanks to a reduced kerbweight of 1330kg, the N24 enjoys a significantly improved power to weight ratio.

In summary, the SVA process includes:

Inside the N24

Transport of the Vantage N24 from point of sale at Aston Martin’s Gaydon headquarters to Aston Martin Works Service, Newport Pagnell

Supply and fit:

• Full handbrake system
• Number plate lights
• Side repeaters
• Horn
• Standard steering column including lock
• Fixed drivers side window without slide opening
• E’ marked seat belts
• Fuel filler restrictor
• Alternative switches or guard to meet interior projection requirements
• Compliance with noise and emission regulations
• Submission of application to VOSA (including fee payment)
• Transport Vantage N24 to test station for inspection
• Register and tax vehicle, including fee

N24 is prepared for competition use

Aston Martin will charge £7,500 plus local taxes for the SVA option on an N24. Seeing as the list price of an N24 is £78,720, that takes the price of a road legal N24 in the UK to £101,317.90 inc VAT – compared with £94,280 for a Porsche 997 GT3 RS, for example.

It is, however, around £234 cheaper than a fully kitted Prodrive V8 Vantage, although no doubt considerably less comfortable on a day to day basis. The SVA work is expected to take approximately two weeks to complete.

N24 is an internal Aston project

Is this Aston Martin’s first step in creating a genuine rival to Porsche's ultra successful GT3 series? We certainly hope so…

[vetteheadracer]

I wish GM would do something similar with the C6 Z06 Corvette.

I assume Aston Martin will also offer a "now it's passed the SVA we will take all the crap off again" package for another £7,500 + VAT?

[vetteheadracer]

Kieran'07 said:

vetteheadracer said:

I wish GM would do something similar with the C6 Z06 Corvette.

I assume Aston Martin will also offer a "now it's passed the SVA we will take all the crap off again" package for another £7,500 + VAT?

What 'crap' do you mean? Bits and bobs like side repeaters and a handbrake are quite useful on a road car...

It's cool, but I'd rather a fully equip Aston V8 for the road and an Elise for caning round the track for the same money.

Edited by Kieran'07 on Wednesday 13th June 13:36

Particularly:
Compliance with noise and emission regulations
Standard steering column including lock
Fixed drivers side window without slide opening

[vetteheadracer]

bob1179 said:

Is it wrong that I find my granny pant-wettingly sexy and I'd sell that car for her?

Most definitely.

Edited by vetteheadracer on Wednesday 13th June 15:26