With a limited production of just 150 units, Aston Martin’s race-bred Vantage GT8 offers customers less weight, plenty of carbon fiber and excellent aerodynamics.

Because it draws its inspiration from the 2016 V8 Vantage GTE race car, Aston Martin refers to the new Vantage GT8 as a “true thoroughbred”. Not only is it the lightest and most powerful V8 Vantage ever built, but also features a dramatically sculpted carbon fiber body with only aerodynamics in mind.

Underneath the added visual aggressiveness, the Vantage GT8 comes with a track-tuned chassis for improved agility, powered by a revised 446 PS (predicted) version of the company’s 4.7-liter V8 unit – available with both a six-speed manual gearbox as well as a seven-speed Sportshift II automatic.

Visually, the designers have clearly used the WEC contender as a benchmark for the GT8, which comes with a carbon fiber front splitter, front and rear bumpers, fenders, side sills and rear diffuser. On top of that, the cutaway front wheelarch is meant to mimic the one on the GTE race car while those who’d like an even more extreme aerodynamic look can go for the optional Aero Pack which adds the large rear wing and additional corner elements to the front splitter.

The wheels are also new and feature a 5-spoke design as standard, while the ultra-lightweight seven-spoke magnesium rims remain available as an option – both models get to wear Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires.

The color scheme can be altered as well when ordering the car, as customers can choose between combinations of China Grey and Blue, Stratus White and Green or Stirling Green and Lime.

In terms of weight-saving, worth mentioning are the carbon fiber roof, the polycarbonate rear screen and rear side windows and the titanium center-mounted exhaust system. Inside, there are carbon fiber door panels, while the standard-fit carbon fiber sports seats come only manual adjustment (also meant to save weight). In total, Aston Martin took off about 100kg (220 lbs) worth of weight, which is why they’re calling it the lightest Vantage ever.

Of course, in order to maintain the car as road-friendly as possible, the British sports car manufacturer kept the 160W audio system, the air-con and the latest AMi III infotainment system.

“Road cars are our business, but racing is the beating heart of Aston Martin,” said company CEO Dr Andy Palmer. “The Vantage GT8 expresses that combination perfectly: an authentic and unashamedly extreme road car that draws directly from our Le Mans racing programme to amplify the inherent dynamism that has long made the Vantage such a fine sports car. Beautifully engineered and set-up to be equally at home on a fabulous road or a demanding race track, the Vantage GT8 is a driver’s car in the truest sense of the word.”

Each of the 150 available units will be priced from £165,000, with deliveries starting in Q4 of 2016. Unfortunately, the Vantage GT8 will not be available in North America.

PHOTO GALLERY

VIDEO