Aston Martin has released an on-road "beast" that can also take on the race track, thanks to its sophisticated design and lightweight engineering.
The new Aston Martin Vantage GT8 got its looks from the previous Aston Martin V8 Vantage GTE race car. Albeit its build, engine, and purr scream race car, Aston Martin engineers promise that they built the car with on-road capabilities as its main priority.
Andy Palmer, CEO of Aston Martin describes that even though the company's "heart" beats for the race track, their main business comes from producing road cars. The new Vantage GT8 has been manufactured to fit on both race tracks and roads alike with the exec claiming that it is a "driver's car in the truest form of the word."
"[T]he Vantage GT8 expresses that combination perfectly: an authentic and unashamedly extreme road car that draws directly from our Le Mans racing program to amplify the inherent dynamism that has long made the Vantage such a fine sports car," Palmer said.
Exterior
Most of the car's wide outer body has been built with carbon fiber, specifically its front and rear bumpers, front splitter, rear diffuser, side sills, door panels, and fenders. Its design has been fashioned in such a way that it incorporates aerodynamics, adding that extra kick, making it flexible on both a race track and on-road situations.
A cutaway front wheel arch, inspired from the GTE racer, is present on the car model, along with options to add an Aero Pack. This allows hardcore race car enthusiasts to add a "large rear wing and additional corner elements to the front splitter."
Customers can also opt to upgrade other car parts to further reduce weight, like a titanium center mounted exhaust, carbon fiber roof and polycarbonate rear screen and rear side windows. The standard-fit lightweight carbon fiber sports seats can be manually adjusted as well.
The standard version has a five-spoke alloy wheel and an option to upgrade to even lighter seven-spoke center-lock magnesium rims. These wheels are sported with Michelin Sport Cup 2 tires.
The available options for paint finishes are "striking combinations" of Stratus White and Green, Stirling Green and Lime, and China Gray and Blue.
Interior
The Aston Martin Vantage GT8 is powered by a "revised version" of Aston Martin's 4.7-liter V8 engine, offering about 440 horsepower. This on-road "beast" can either have a six-speed manual or seven-speed automatic SportshiftTM II paddle-shift transmission and a standard-fit lithium ion battery.
Like most on-road cars, the Vantage GT8 also has the latest AMi III infotainment system, a 160w audio system and of course, air-conditioning. Unlike race tracks, regular roads have traffic and customers need that distraction.
It can be inferred from these specifications that Aston Martin really aimed to create the "lightest Vantage ever." Well, the Aston Martin Vantage GT8 is so light, it can probably fly.
Kidding aside.
"By focusing on weight savings and aerodynamics, we've taken the V8 Vantage to an entirely different level of agility and aggression. It's a hugely exciting car honed to the keenest possible edge," David King, director of Special Projects and Motorsport for Aston Martin, said.
Only 150 units will be made to appeal to the company's target market collectors and genuine car enthusiasts. Deliveries should commence in the last quarter of 2016. Sadly, it seems that the company will not ship this model to the U.S.
Here's a quick preview of the Aston Martin Vantage GT8 in all its lightness and glory. That paint job does give it justice:
