Photo: Stefan Baldauf/SB-Medien
Some of you may remember that Aston Martin battled Porsche for the GT3 suffix at the beginning of 2015. Porsche won the exclusive rights to use the nameplate, forcing Aston Martin to change the name of the Vantage GT3 into the Vantage GT12. One year after this embarrassing shouting match, Aston Martin has started work on another track-oriented model.
What you’re looking at are the first photographs of the 2017 Aston Martin Vantage GT8 and, as the name implies, the V12 of the GT12 had to go in favor of a V8. The GT8 is supposed to be produced 150 times or so is the word on the street. That’s 50 units more than the Vantage GT12. A rarefied breed indeed.
The prototype snapped by the carparazzi appears to wear a similar body kit to the one that gives the Vantage GT12 its track-focused stance. The fixed rear wing and extended front spoiler are the highlights, followed by the XXL-sized side skirts and the aerodynamic diffuser at the rear. The design of the carbon fiber hood is what makes my blood boil and my mouth go dry, though.
Look closer and you’ll notice that the interior is a spartan affair with a roll cage as an added bonus. It’s impossible to tell if the transmission is a manual or an automated manual, but chances are customers will be offered with two options. Regarding performance, the Vantage GT8 is rumored to sprint to 62 mph (100 km/h) in less than 4.5 seconds, or at least three-tenths quicker than the Vantage S.
The straight line performance comes courtesy of a 4.7-liter naturally aspirated V8 with more than 430 HP (436 PS) and 361 lb-ft (490 Nm) of torque. Furthermore, the carbon fiber, titanium, and aluminum diet has definitely shaved some pounds from the curb weight of an Aston Martin Vantage S (3,549 lbs or 1,610 kg).
The Porshe 911 GT3-rivaling 2017 Aston Martin Vantage GT8 is expected to be revealed later this month, with pricing to start at £175,000 ($245,595 or €216,456 at current rates) or thereabout.
The prototype snapped by the carparazzi appears to wear a similar body kit to the one that gives the Vantage GT12 its track-focused stance. The fixed rear wing and extended front spoiler are the highlights, followed by the XXL-sized side skirts and the aerodynamic diffuser at the rear. The design of the carbon fiber hood is what makes my blood boil and my mouth go dry, though.
Look closer and you’ll notice that the interior is a spartan affair with a roll cage as an added bonus. It’s impossible to tell if the transmission is a manual or an automated manual, but chances are customers will be offered with two options. Regarding performance, the Vantage GT8 is rumored to sprint to 62 mph (100 km/h) in less than 4.5 seconds, or at least three-tenths quicker than the Vantage S.
The straight line performance comes courtesy of a 4.7-liter naturally aspirated V8 with more than 430 HP (436 PS) and 361 lb-ft (490 Nm) of torque. Furthermore, the carbon fiber, titanium, and aluminum diet has definitely shaved some pounds from the curb weight of an Aston Martin Vantage S (3,549 lbs or 1,610 kg).
The Porshe 911 GT3-rivaling 2017 Aston Martin Vantage GT8 is expected to be revealed later this month, with pricing to start at £175,000 ($245,595 or €216,456 at current rates) or thereabout.
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