Defined as the “most potent and uncompromising Vantage to date,” the track-inspired Aston Martin Vantage GT3 special edition is notably re-engineered and restyled. Bolder, more aggressive and sophisticated, the car arrives with high demands that hopefully the automotive world can cope with!
In terms of power, under the hood resides a 6.0-liter V12 engine which can generate about 600 PS (441 kW / 591 bhp) and a peak torque of 625 Nm (460 lb-ft). This unit is matched to a seven-speed automated manual transmission that is supposed to enable the car to speed up from 0-100 km/h in just 3.7 seconds before reaching an approximate top speed of 297 km/h (185 mph).
The newly – born beast is thoroughly equipped. It impresses with cutting edge motorsport-inspired components such as: carbon fiber wide body kit with reworked bumpers, modified side skirts and extended fenders. There is also a range of aerodynamic features including a prominent rear wing, pronounced front splitter and a nicely-shaped rear diffuser.
In order to go even further with the goodies, Aston Martin packs the new Vantage GT3 with a carbon fiber hood, a black mesh grille and ceramic coated tailpipes. The car moves on 19-inch forged alloy wheels with Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires.
Inside the cabin, the car has been comprehensively reworked too, thus implementing the sporty styling of the exterior. The interior benefits from highlights like: carbon fiber center stack with touch-sensitive controls, carbon fiber sports seats, Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel, leather door pull straps and, last but not the least, an infotainment system with GPS navigation.
2015 Aston Martin Vantage GT3 special edition is limited to 100 units and will make its debut on 3 March during the 85th Geneva International Motor Show.
Aston Martin has been toying around with the idea of a road-going Vantage GT3 model which will be officially presented at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show.
In order to escalate the impatience of customers, Aston Martin teased with a video which draws connections to the V12 Vantage GT3 racer. Even though there is a sufficient lack of any further information that might feed the hunger of those who are anticipating the final moment of the car’s release, the vehicle is expected to be powered by an advanced version of the 6.0-liter V12 engine. The powerplant will be able to pump a not inconsiderable power output of 600 HP approximately.
The teaser video shows the V12 Vantage GT3 racer in action on the Nürburgring Nordschleife track. At the end we are given a glimpse of a sketch of the street-legal machine. What we can see is a massive rear wing, more aggressive front end with a reworked bumper and redesigned engine hood. But that’s scarcely enough, isn’t it? For more, we have to wait slightly longer.
Aston Martin not always teases, but when it does, it knows how to do it!
What happens, when you put 600BHP V12 engine in 1250kg car? The answer is very simple – it happens something really good and nice to drive and in this case to watch.
Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3 is not only extremely fast race car, but it is incredibly beautiful, too. The tests of the vehicle has just began and the racing team has already covered almost 1000 kilometres in just two days. The majority of the mileage was conducted by factory driver Darren Turner.
“The car ran like clockwork throughout and we’ve managed really good mileage already. The feeling of the V12 Vantage GT3 is a massive step forward from the DBRS9. Being based on the smaller Vantage it is more responsive and feels more nimble, giving the driver plenty of confidence to extract all the performance from the V12 engine while also being light on its tyres. It isn’t too physical to drive and I didn’t even break into a sweat during the test!”, said mr. Turner, after two days behind the wheel.
“With the clean styling and the amazing sounding V12, it’s closer to the core values of Aston Martin’s road cars than any of the racing cars we’ve ever built. I’m certain it’ll become a favourite among motorsport fans in no time at all.”, he added.
The V12 Vantage GT3 is a direct replacement for the Aston Martin DBRS9, which first competed in 2006 and went on to score many race and championship wins including the 2007 British GT Championship and the 2009 FIA GT3 Teams’ Championship.
The engine is the most staggering element in the V12 Vantage GT3. It is 6.0 liter twelve-cylinder naturally aspirated monster with 600BHP (445 kW) and 700Nm (517 lb-ft) of torque. All that power is sent to the limited slip differential at the rear wheels through Xtrac 6-speed sequential transmission.
Aston Martin Racing will continue with the V12 Vantage GT3’s comprehensive testing programme into the New Year and beyond.
You can check the full specs, below!
Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3
Aston Martin V12Vantage GT3 Specs:
Engine
Lightweight V12
Dry sump oil system
Power >600bhp
Torque >700Nm
Lightweight aluminium chassis
Steel roll cage to FIA safety standards
High speed pneumatic jack system
Suspension
Double wishbone with uniball bearings
2-way adjustable dampers front and rear
Optimised geometry for lower race ride height
Steering
Hydraulic power assisted steering
Fuel system
110-litre fuel cell to FIA safety standards
Twin quick release couplings
Brakes
6 pot front & 4 pot rear calipers with ventilated steel discs
Manually adjustable front/rear brake bias
Adjustable motorsport ABS and traction control
Wheels & Tyres
Front 12.5” x 18” 30/68-18
Rear 13” x 18” 31/71-18
Cockpit
Six-point safety harness
Adjustable seat & pedal box position
Lightweight battery
Carbon fibre dash
Fire extinguisher system
Driver display and shift lights
Body & Aero
Removable carbon-fibre body panels & aluminium roof
Front splitter
Adjustable full width carbon fibre rear wing
Aerodynamically optimised bumpers, side sills and rear fenders
Aston Martin confirms today the specification of the 2012 Vantage GT3 race car. As the natural successor to the enormously successful DBRS9, the new Vantage GT3 will offer customers the latest in race-car technology to ensure the Vantage GT3 has the credentials to compete with the most recent new product offerings from other manufacturers.
The Vantage GT3 features a modified version of Aston Martin’s production 6.0 litre V12 engine found in the marque’s highly acclaimed sports cars. The dry-sumped engine is expected to produce 600 bhp with 700 Nm of torque and its position has been optimised further to improve weight balance. A carbon fibre propshaft mates the engine to a Xtrac 6 speed sequential transmission with semi-automatic paddle shift gear change.
The Vantage GT3 benefits from Aston Martin’s V/H architecture philosophy, the modular chassis uses aerospace bonding techniques to create a light and immensely stiff aluminium and composite structure which not only aids handling on Aston Martin’s road cars but is also an ideal base for competitive race cars.
2012 Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3
Most dramatic of all, are the new aerodynamics, contributing to a muscular and purposeful stance while maintaining the overall beauty of the V12 Vantage. The shorter wheel base and lower engine position over its predecessor will contribute to enhanced handling and performance. The new car will also provide enhanced driveability with the latest race-developed ABS and Traction Control systems which are fitted to the V12 Vantage GT3 as standard.
The Vantage GT3 will be eligible for numerous race series around the world including the FIA GT3 Championship, ADAC Masters, Nurburgring VLN, Blancpain Endurance Series, British GT, Belcar and Open GT among others.
Aston Martin remains the only manufacturer to offer a race car for every GT class firmly cementing it as a global forerunner in race car production. The new Vantage GT3 is being developed to replicate and indeed surpass the superb track record of the DBRS9.
Aston Martin has sold 24 DBRS9s and customer teams have accumulated many race podiums and victories over the past six years including 2009 Winner Teams Championship, and Winner Manufacturers Championship for Hexis Racing and as recently as a 2011 GT Open race win at Spa for Villois Racing.
Testing of the new car will commence in October, where the Vantage GT3 will undergo a comprehensive sign-off durability test including a 10,000 km test programme. Deliveries of the first cars will commence in early 2012. Prices start from £298,000.
V12 Vantage GT3 Specification
Engine
Lightweight V12
Dry sump oil system
Engine repositioned to optimise weight distribution
Target power 600 bhp
Target torque 700 Nm
Transmission
Xtrac 6 speed sequential transmission
Racing clutch
Limited slip ramp/plate differential
Easily accessible drop gears
Semi-automatic paddle shift gear change
Carbon fibre propshaft
Chassis
Lightweight aluminium chassis
Steel roll cage to FIA safety standards
High speed pneumatic jack system
Steering
Hydraulic power assisted steering
Quick release steering wheel
Suspension
Double wishbone suspension arms front and rear with uniball bearings
2-way adjustable dampers front and rear
Optimsed geometry for lower race ride height
Fuel system
110 litre fuel cell to FIA safety standards
Twin quick release couplings
Fuel cell location optimised for performance and safety
(behind the driver’s seat, inside the safety roll cage)
Brakes
6 pot front calipers
Ventilated front brake disc
4 pot rear caliper
Ventilated rear brake disc
Floor mounted pedal box
Manually adjustable front/rear brake bias
Adjustable motorsport ABS
Wheels
12.5″ x 18″ front
13″ x 18″ rear
Tyres
Front 30/68-18
Rear 31/71-18
Cockpit
Steering wheel mounted controls
Driver display / data logger / shift lights / beacon
6-point safety harness
Adjustable steering position
Adjustable seat position
Adjustable pedal box position
Light weight battery
Carbon fibre dash
Fire extinguisher system
Aerodynamics
Front splitter
Adjustable full width carbon fibre rear wing
Aerodynamically optimised bumpers, fenders and sills
Aston Martin has announced Vantage GT3, which is based on theV12 engined road car. The race car will be ready to hit the race tracks in 2012.
The Vantage GT3 will take the place of the DBRS9, launched in 2006 at Le Mans. The new Vantage GT3 joins the Vantage GT2, GT4, DBR9 GT1 and the AMR-One LMP1. The line-up is really astonishing.
The race car meets all FIA regulations and is powered by a lightweight dry-sumped 6.0 litre V12 engine mated to a race semi-automatic paddle shift Xtrac gearbox and the latest race-developed ABS and traction control systems
“The DBRS9 has been a very successful GT3 racing car and, despite being more than six years old, is still competitive today.”, commented John Gaw, Aston Martin Racing Managing Director.
“However, the competition has moved on and we needed to create a new car that combines our six years’ experience in this category with the latest race technology to continue Aston Martin’s success in GT3 for many years to come.”, he added.
Aston Marting Vantage GT3 will have a curb weight of 1250 kg and the power will be in excess of 600BHP and 700Nm. The first car will be completed in July 2011 and it will be put in serious testing. 10 units will then be built ready for delivery for the start of the 2012 season.