Wednesday 7th January 2015

Aston Martin Vantage GT3 teased

More power, less weight and a really, really big wing hinted at for limited run roadgoing GT3 Vantage

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In one of those startling coincidences as the talk ramps up surrounding the forthcoming Porsche 911 GT3 RS, Aston Martin releases a teaser image and picture for something it describes as a Vantage GT3 road car.

Wide-arched Vantage mule has been spotted

From the official graphic we can surmise that this is basically a road legal Vantage inspired by the various racing versions competed successfully at the N24, Le Mans and elsewhere. Which is to say a Vantage with what appears to be a proper eff-off rear wing. As eff-off as the GT3 RS's? We'll have to get the tape measures out at Geneva, where the Aston will make its official debut and, if it hasn't already, so will the Porsche.

Exciting times for lovers of extreme, track focused versions of already pretty serious sports cars. And if Aston is being cagey about the car officially it can't hide from the lenses of the 'ringside spy snappers, the illustrated widebodied (albeit wingless) Vantage spotted testing recently. Those arch extensions look suitably dramatic and, together with the V12's slatted bonnet, give the Vantage a seriously butch demeanour that should square up well to the engorged GT3 RS. Sources suggest more power, less weight and a limited production run of just 100, making it likely a much more exclusive proposition.

Expect a big rear wing for the production version

Given a 'regular' V12 Vantage S has 573hp you'd have to be hoping for at least 600hp from this beastie, that and the super aggressive looks making it a rather fearsome looking track day weapon. No word yet on transmission but we'd be surprised if it came with anything other than the paddle-shifted Sportshift III automated manual, this gearbox's rather industrial character and light weight rather in-keeping with the race car vibe.

More news when we have it.

 

Teaser vid

Spy photos: Stefan Baldauf

[gsuk1]

Promising.
I guess I'm the only person who wants one with a manual gearbox...

[patmahe]

gsuk1 said:

Promising.
I guess I'm the only person who wants one with a manual gearbox...

Nope, I still prefer a manual 'box too, but it seems like we're a dying breed. That said I'm (unfortunately) not in a position to become an Aston Martin customer any time soon, so I guess I'm not in the demographic they are aiming at.

I'd imagine this car will be awesome though.

[Axionknight]

gsuk1 said:

Promising.
I guess I'm the only person who wants one with a manual gearbox...

Nope, manual here too!!

Not that I could afford one, even if they did so, sad to say.

[thatguy11]

Dribble dribble...that looks completely evil! Can't wait to see it with some wing.

[GroundEffect]

Keep the wing off it. Wings are too 1990s.

[is1]

Let's get the usual stuff out the way - all sold, future classic, Porsche GT3 will be 2.5% better.
It looks fantastic, +1 on the manual box, someone please make a stand on this issue but presumably they know their customers.
I wouldn't want to be designer/stylist for the replacement for this shape though!

[British Beef]

I would love to see the Vantage GT3 as a stripped out N430, <1400kg with a manual box for <£100k.

I suspect Aston will release a >1600kg V12 GT3 with a pinch more power for >£150k

Should be very tasty whatever they offer!!

[dlockhart]

why would you assume 600bhp. the gt3 race car would not have that much. surely it would have similar power to the other gt3s so 500 from a NA v8?

[240R]

If the blistered arches end up a bit better resolved (and steel) this is guaranteed instant classic status.

[alistair1234]

dlockhart said:

why would you assume 600bhp. the gt3 race car would not have that much. surely it would have similar power to the other gt3s so 500 from a NA v8?

It's not going to be less than the standard car is it?!

[kambites]

Hmm, might have been better with a tuned version of the V8 in it rather than the big heavy V12 lump. 500bhp and <1500kg would be better than 600bhp and >1600kg, IMO.

[Zod]

gsuk1 said:

Promising.
I guess I'm the only person who wants one with a manual gearbox...

No, there are at least two of us.

[zeb]

Zod said:

gsuk1 said:

Promising.
I guess I'm the only person who wants one with a manual gearbox...

No, there are at least two of us.

three....

[Impasse]

240R said:

If the blistered arches end up a bit better resolved (and steel) this is guaranteed instant classic status.

The Vantage bodywork is not steel.

[jonby]

This is not new news

A number of us Aston owners discussed it at great length on a 5 page thread which ran from early to mid December

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Whilst some of us are being more discrete than others and there is some conflicting information (basically whilst final spec is decided by AML) what seems apparent is

Price starts at £250k
100 car limited run (globally, with no cars for the US)
Carbon Fibre body
Weight aim 1,500kg
Power aim 600 bhp
New exhaust system, possibly titanium with side exits
Aggressive aero including large rear wing
New centre stack with vanquish style instrumentation
Optional centre lock magnesium wheels
Car will start off with some extras being deleted, with an option to have them put back on (e.g. electric seats & cruise) however the weight aim does NOT assume air con delete or plastic windows - this is a track orientated road car, not a race car made road legal

[P4ROT]

rays for bolt on arch extensions:

[thespannerman]

zeb said:

Zod said:

gsuk1 said:

Promising.
I guess I'm the only person who wants one with a manual gearbox...

No, there are at least two of us.

three....

Make that four

[anonymous-user]

Party like it's er, 2009??? ;-)

[Daston]

I am not wanting a manual box.....nor do I want a flappy padle box. I want a moster sequenchial gear stick like in the Asscari

[xRIEx]

alistair1234 said:

dlockhart said:

why would you assume 600bhp. the gt3 race car would not have that much. surely it would have similar power to the other gt3s so 500 from a NA v8?

It's not going to be less than the standard car is it?!

In terms of homologated racers, the 458 and MP4-12C GT3s both had less power than the road variants.