Wednesday 24th August 2011

Aston Martin Reveals V12 Vantage GT3 Racer

Fed up with 911s? SLS GT3 of no interest? Can't get hold of a Macca GT3? Aston has the answer...

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Here is the latest GT3 race car for the aspiring GT peddler who has become bored with Porsches - it's the new 2012 Aston Martin Vantage GT3. And it's surely a snip, too, with prices starting form a mere £298,000...

The Vantage GT3 will be the successor to the DBRS9, of which Aston sold 24 examples over the past six years.

Beneath the bonnet of the Vantage GT3 lies a modified version of Aston's 6.0-litre V12 engine (found in the DB9, Virage, DBS and V12 Vantage road cars).

In race trim Aston hopes that the dry-sumped engine will produce 600bhp and 516lb ft of torque. Meanwhile its position has been 'optimised' (we presume that means moved back and down) to improve weight balance. A carbon fibre propshaft couple the engine to an Xtrac 6-speed sequential transmission with semi-automatic paddle shift gear change.

Of course, the biggest difference you'll notice between the V12 Vantage road car and its racing cousin is the aero package. Apparently, this contributes to a "muscular and purposeful stance while maintaining the overall beauty of the V12 Vantage", or so says the Aston press release. We'd hope that there is some physical aerodynamic package to the wings 'n' spoilers job, too...

So why the change to the Vantage over the DB9? Well, it seems that the shorter wheelbase and lower engine position over its predecessor makes it a better-handling proposition.

The Vantage GT3 will be eligible for numerous race series around the world including the FIA GT3 Championship, ADAC Masters, Nürburgring VLN, Blancpain Endurance Series, British GT, Belcar and Open GT. Testing will begin in October, with delivery of the first cars due in early 2012.

[Luca Brasi]

That's an impressive wing

Bet it'll sound brilliant though.

[jellison]

Now that is what I am talking about. For get the lame warmed over Vantage ones they've had b4.

[Guvernator]

That is a fantastic looking GT3 car, however it is very pricey considering you can buy a Porsche GT3 cup car for half the price.

[UltimaCH]

Great looking racer and the sound the V12 makes should be something else

[VPower]

When Aston get it right, they get it spot on!


Something else to cheer in GT racing now!

Was watching it live last weekend on FREE to View TV and it was great racing.

F1 who cares?

[AdamLoewy]

Homologation special please.

[clorenzen]

Now we are talking!

[MikeyLCR]

That is the business!

How about a pic of the week spec one to put on my desktop?

[205007]

How much is a DBRS9 again?

[roadie]

I always wonder how they work out the equivalency of all the different cars in GT3.

[chuntington101]

Guvernator said:

That is a fantastic looking GT3 car, however it is very pricey considering you can buy a Porsche GT3 cup car for half the price.

You can get an few years old cup car for well less than £100K!

But some one look at the this thing! Can you imagine hamering that thing around a track day.

Chris.

[BanjoMaster]

Guvernator said:

That is a fantastic looking GT3 car, however it is very pricey considering you can buy a Porsche GT3 cup car for half the price.

Compared to the Porsche, yes. Compared to the new cars (SLS, 458 and MP4 in particular) it's around about the going rate.

Looks absolutely awesome! Now we just have to wait on proper release info for the GT-R GT3. 2012 is looking like another superb GT3 year. I would hope that all but the most die-hard Ratel critics will have eaten ALL their hats by now?

[chevronb37]

BanjoMaster said:

I would hope that all but the most die-hard Ratel critics will have eaten ALL their hats by now?

Well yes, except for the GT1 fiasco...

Actually having been attending since the gensis of Ratel's empire with the BPR championship, I think GT3 is the greatest success to date. And speaking as an Aston fan, this looks fantastic.

[Nors]

Love Aston, love this car, but, let's face it, imagine (just supposing) what you'd look like driving around town in something with a wing THAT big! (I do know of course it's a track car)

[joe_90]

How do I sell children, and will 2 cover the aston?

Edited by joe_90 on Thursday 25th August 09:02

[JenkinsComp]

chevronb37 said:

BanjoMaster said:

I would hope that all but the most die-hard Ratel critics will have eaten ALL their hats by now?

Well yes, except for the GT1 fiasco...

Actually having been attending since the gensis of Ratel's empire with the BPR championship, I think GT3 is the greatest success to date. And speaking as an Aston fan, this looks fantastic.

Aston is quite tasty isn't it.
Ratel has done well to bring some nice motors together, but "Balance of Performance" can suck my c0ck.

[The1Driver]

Excluding BMW's Z4 GT3 race car I implore any one of you to show me a better looking GT3 race car than this Vantage!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11111111111111oneoneone

[Zed Ed]

BanjoMaster said:

Compared to the Porsche, yes. Compared to the new cars (SLS, 458 and MP4 in particular) it's around about the going rate.

Looks absolutely awesome! Now we just have to wait on proper release info for the GT-R GT3. 2012 is looking like another superb GT3 year. I would hope that all but the most die-hard Ratel critics will have eaten ALL their hats by now?

not long to wait for the GTR GT3

this weekend at Magny Cours sees its first outing

think it is on eurosport

[Supervet]

B******S accidentally rated 5 when I meant 9.5!!!!

Oh the shame

[I'm Rick james]

Epic.