Yes, it’s another special edition Aston Martin Vantage, but this one promises to be the most potent and uncompromising version to date.
Named the Vantage GT3, it’s inspired by the firm’s GT3 racecar and it will have its world premiere at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show before going on sale in a strictly limited production run of just 100 examples in the third quarter of the year.
You can think of it as Aston’s answer to the Porsche 911 GT3, a car that bridges the gap between the road going Vantage S Coupe and the Vantage GT3 racer.
Aston tweaked the Vantage S’ 6.0-liter V12 engine to deliver an additional 27hp at 592hp (600PS) and 4 lb-ft of torque at 461 lb-ft. Among other upgrades found under the hood are the magnesium inlet manifolds with revised geometry, a lightweight magnesium torque tube and a full titanium exhaust system with center outlets. The V12 is paired to a seven-speed automated manual transmission driving the rear wheels.
The British firm’s efforts to reduce weight didn’t stop at the engine bay, as the GT3 gets new flared carbon fiber front wings, carbon fiber bonnet, a lithium ion race-derived battery, carbon-fiber door casings plus optional carbon fiber roof and polycarbonate rear windows to shed a total of 100kg or 220 pounds over the Vantage S, with the new car weighing in at 1,565kg or 3,450 lbs.
The GT3 gets wider tracks on both ends along with a retuned suspension, Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes and 19-inch magnesium alloy wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires size 265/35 at the front and 325/30 at the rear.
Aston Martin’s designers made no attempt to hide the car’s track-orientated nature gifting the GT3 with an extensive aerodynamic package featuring contrasting colors on the outside, and a reworked cabin that gets race-derived carbon fiber sports seats and steering wheel, plus a full carbon fiber center stack and a touch-sensitive control array.
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