RE: Aston Vantage GT3 - official!

RE: Aston Vantage GT3 - official!

Wednesday 18th February 2015

Aston Vantage GT12 - official!

600hp, 1,565kg and 100 units only for ultimate Aston Vantage



Of all the cars that need Photoshopping for added drama, the Aston Vantage GT12 was never going to be it. The teaser image and the Nurburgring spy shots pointed to a car that would have looked superb even in a bare studio shoot, all burly arches and sodding great wing.

Hang on, something's not right here
Hang on, something's not right here
Unfortunately Aston has decided to fire up its Photoshopomatic for the first full images. It wants you to think this is the pit lane at Silverstone but, well, look at the pic with the GT3 racer. Yeah...

Photoshop grump aside, there's much to be excited by with the Vantage GT12 (note V12 has gone from the name). Power is up to 600hp from the 6.0-litre V12, weight is down 100kg and we're promised drivers "will savour every second behind the wheel."

Let's begin with that engine. There are magnesium inlet manifolds, a magnesium torque tube and a titanium exhaust with centre exits. The 'predicted' numbers are 600hp at 7,000rpm and 461lb ft at 5,500rpm, with 62mph in 3.7 seconds and a 185mph top speed.

The top speed is 20mph down on the V12 Vantage S, no doubt a result of the extensive aero changes. A new Aerodynamics Pack, comprising that wing and carbon front splitter, is standard, along with a carbon rear diffuser. Together they provide "significant downforce", says Aston. Those swollen arches are created from the expensive black stuff too, and there's an optional carbon roof.

A 600hp Vantage? Yeah, go on then
A 600hp Vantage? Yeah, go on then
That weight saving takes the Vantage GT12 to 1,565kg, but there are certain options beyond the roof that are required for that. Carbon is used again for the bonnet, front wings and door casings, the battery is now lithium ion and the seats are lighter with manual adjustment. But for full GT3 effect the polycarbonate windows will be required, plus the centre-lock magnesium wheels. Weight reduction for the 'machined carbon fibre wing badges' is unconfirmed...

There's more besides. Those He-Man arches accommodate wider tracks, Michelin Pilot Super Sports are standard and carbon ceramic brakes are further improved with unique Brembo calipers. There are also new springs with revisions to the three-stage adaptive dampers and track focused geo as well. Not just a badge and a big spoiler then!

There isn't a price yet confirmed for the Vantage GT12, expect that at Geneva in a couple of weeks. The first of those 100 very lucky customers will receive their cars before the end of the year. When's that 991 RS due?







   
   

 

Author
Discussion

mrclav

Original Poster:

1,278 posts

222 months

Wednesday 18th February 2015
quotequote all
Naughty.

LY99

152 posts

187 months

Wednesday 18th February 2015
quotequote all
Road legal or track special??

Asterix

24,438 posts

227 months

Wednesday 18th February 2015
quotequote all
Road Legal, I'd have thought (hoping!).

Phil Dicky

7,162 posts

262 months

Wednesday 18th February 2015
quotequote all
Would need to be spec'd without that front spoiler for road use.

Dale Lomas

218 posts

154 months

Wednesday 18th February 2015
quotequote all
I'd lap it.

g7jhp

6,958 posts

237 months

Wednesday 18th February 2015
quotequote all
All Aston Martin, even racing versions should have a level of class, that misses the mark IMO.

That real wing looks like a Halfrauds special it's even in their colours!



Much prefer the traditional BRG or Gulf approach. Maybe that's old school!


JDMDrifter

4,039 posts

164 months

Wednesday 18th February 2015
quotequote all
WOW!

jonby

5,357 posts

156 months

Wednesday 18th February 2015
quotequote all
Phil Dicky said:
Would need to be spec'd without that front spoiler for road use.
It is road legal, the splitter is standard, it's much deeper than the standard V12V splitter and the car is lower too

There has been no mention of front lift

Which is ridiculous because as you hint at, it makes it almost unusable until you get to the track - I have a 'regular' V12VR and on speedbumps, you have to be VERY careful

P4ROT

1,219 posts

192 months

Wednesday 18th February 2015
quotequote all
Don't like the bodykit, colours or wheels; the actual car, and in particular the interior, are lovely.

Lordbenny

8,575 posts

218 months

Wednesday 18th February 2015
quotequote all
Looks like a mini version othe Conti GT3

rhinochopig

17,932 posts

197 months

Wednesday 18th February 2015
quotequote all
Given the base car is such a pretty thing, and the race car looks fabulous, I'm astounded that they could take both reference points and create something that, to my eyes, looks bloody awful. I mean truly hideous.

matrignano

4,344 posts

209 months

Wednesday 18th February 2015
quotequote all
So the weight saving comes from the carbon fibre bodywork (incl. roof), lighter seats, polycarbonate windows, magnesium wheels and prop shaft.
Sounds like they could have taken another 50-100kg off had they been a bit more radical/ambitious.

jonby

5,357 posts

156 months

Wednesday 18th February 2015
quotequote all
rhinochopig said:
Given the base car is such a pretty thing, and the race car looks fabulous, I'm astounded that they could take both reference points and create something that, to my eyes, looks bloody awful. I mean truly hideous.
tbf, if they took off the awful multi colour (very optional) paint scheme and made it a solid colour with a little colour trim (eg end plates on the rear spoiler, brake callipers, etc) I think it would look an awful lot better

Remember when you spec a car like this, you get almost unlimited options on the livery.

I can imagine variations on these themes being common and they all look much much better than this launch livery IMO

https://reubenlikes.wordpress.com/2011/11/04/aston...
http://www.diecastsociety.com/forums/viewtopic.php...
http://www.automobilesreview.com/auto-news/aston-m...
http://mensfame.com/2011/04/18/aston-martin-vantag...
http://www.alldiecast.co.uk/diecast_car.php?id=187...

Gorbyrev

1,160 posts

153 months

Wednesday 18th February 2015
quotequote all
Can see some of those bonnets making their way onto standard V12Vs if the conversion is doable. Purposeful looking beast.

rhinochopig

17,932 posts

197 months

Wednesday 18th February 2015
quotequote all
jonby said:
rhinochopig said:
Given the base car is such a pretty thing, and the race car looks fabulous, I'm astounded that they could take both reference points and create something that, to my eyes, looks bloody awful. I mean truly hideous.
tbf, if they took off the awful multi colour (very optional) paint scheme and made it a solid colour with a little colour trim (eg end plates on the rear spoiler, brake callipers, etc) I think it would look an awful lot better

Remember when you spec a car like this, you get almost unlimited options on the livery.

I can imagine variations on these themes being common and they all look much much better than this launch livery IMO

https://reubenlikes.wordpress.com/2011/11/04/aston...
http://www.diecastsociety.com/forums/viewtopic.php...
http://www.automobilesreview.com/auto-news/aston-m...
http://mensfame.com/2011/04/18/aston-martin-vantag...
http://www.alldiecast.co.uk/diecast_car.php?id=187...
I take your point, but THIS is the scheme that Aston 'think' shows off their car to its best. Looks like something put together for SEMA.

jonby

5,357 posts

156 months

Wednesday 18th February 2015
quotequote all
rhinochopig said:
jonby said:
rhinochopig said:
Given the base car is such a pretty thing, and the race car looks fabulous, I'm astounded that they could take both reference points and create something that, to my eyes, looks bloody awful. I mean truly hideous.
tbf, if they took off the awful multi colour (very optional) paint scheme and made it a solid colour with a little colour trim (eg end plates on the rear spoiler, brake callipers, etc) I think it would look an awful lot better

Remember when you spec a car like this, you get almost unlimited options on the livery.

I can imagine variations on these themes being common and they all look much much better than this launch livery IMO

https://reubenlikes.wordpress.com/2011/11/04/aston...
http://www.diecastsociety.com/forums/viewtopic.php...
http://www.automobilesreview.com/auto-news/aston-m...
http://mensfame.com/2011/04/18/aston-martin-vantag...
http://www.alldiecast.co.uk/diecast_car.php?id=187...
I take your point, but THIS is the scheme that Aston 'think' shows off their car to its best. Looks like something put together for SEMA.
I agree it looks like a Halfords part bin special ! Very strange

Having said all that, this car is long since sold out - UK allocation was sold out before Christmas, although they may move a few LHD slots to RHD

rhinochopig

17,932 posts

197 months

Wednesday 18th February 2015
quotequote all
jonby said:
rhinochopig said:
jonby said:
rhinochopig said:
Given the base car is such a pretty thing, and the race car looks fabulous, I'm astounded that they could take both reference points and create something that, to my eyes, looks bloody awful. I mean truly hideous.
tbf, if they took off the awful multi colour (very optional) paint scheme and made it a solid colour with a little colour trim (eg end plates on the rear spoiler, brake callipers, etc) I think it would look an awful lot better

Remember when you spec a car like this, you get almost unlimited options on the livery.

I can imagine variations on these themes being common and they all look much much better than this launch livery IMO

https://reubenlikes.wordpress.com/2011/11/04/aston...
http://www.diecastsociety.com/forums/viewtopic.php...
http://www.automobilesreview.com/auto-news/aston-m...
http://mensfame.com/2011/04/18/aston-martin-vantag...
http://www.alldiecast.co.uk/diecast_car.php?id=187...
I take your point, but THIS is the scheme that Aston 'think' shows off their car to its best. Looks like something put together for SEMA.
I agree it looks like a Halfords part bin special ! Very strange

Having said all that, this car is long since sold out - UK allocation was sold out before Christmas, although they may move a few LHD slots to RHD
hehe well what do I know. Nice to see them selling like hot-cakes.

What's even stranger is that they seem to have used Audi race (quattro era) race colours.

Omaruk

608 posts

158 months

Wednesday 18th February 2015
quotequote all

TNH

559 posts

146 months

Wednesday 18th February 2015
quotequote all
No mention of gearbox?

anthonysjb

524 posts

135 months

Wednesday 18th February 2015
quotequote all
Forgive me if I'm wrong but shouldn't it be 'Aston Martin Vantage GT3', not 'Aston Vantage GT3'? Or is some new age marketing