Aston Martin Vantage GT3: Full details and exclusive video
Aston Martin's limited run Vantage GT3 is a 592bhp track-focused monster headed for a full unveil at this year's Geneva Motor Show. XCAR got an exclusive first look.
Only 100 of these £250,000 ($384,000 or AU$490,000) monsters will make their way on to the road when they're delivered this autumn. Having spent some time with one, it's hard to imagine Aston will have any trouble selling all 100 rather quickly -- it's a truly special piece of kit. Just listen to it.
Its 6.0-litre V12 has been fettled using lightweight magnesium components, while its exhaust system is made from the finest titanium. The lightweight love doesn't stop at the under-the-skin bits, though: it covers pretty much everything the eye can see.
The entire body, aside from the doors, is carbon fibre, and you can spec a carbon fibre roof as well. The rear and rear three quarter windows can be specced as polycarbonate, too, if you think glass is a little gauche. There's plenty more things you can have in carbon fibre if you have the readies.
Aston reckons that all its Chapman-esque lightweightery has shaved 100kg (220 pounds) off the car's weight compared to the standard Vantage.
The interior has been given a decent spruce as well. The centre console's been updated somewhat with a touch-sensitive control array and there's carbon fibre...everywhere.
To ensure it's good on track, as well as the engine changes, there's a hard-to-miss aero pack. The massive wing, skirts and chin spoiler add huge amounts of downforce in a bid to ensure it doesn't slide itself off the road at speed. Aston says it has twice the aero load of a GT4 Vantage and seven times that of a normal V12 Vantage S.
Performance figures aren't confirmed yet, but Aston's super-educated guess is 0-60mph in 3.5 seconds and a top speed in the region of 185mph. The 0-60 time makes it the second fastest Aston ever made, after the One-77, and its top speed is justified when you think of how much aero is bolted on board.
As a package, it's pretty cool. Especially when you note that the badge on the nose and tail is machined carbon. 100? They'd shift 500 with ease...
The Aston Martin Vantage GT3 will be formally unveiled at the Geneva auto show in March.