Aston Martin today confirmed it would build a Vantage GT3 road car, to provide a Porsche-style fillip to the ageing British sports car range.
While 911s are regularly given GTS, GT3, GT2 and more life-enhancing treatments, Aston makes do with more occasional upgrades – but when they come, we sit up and take notice.
The Vantage S was one such occasion. And now Gaydon’s giving its junior sports car the full-blown GT3 treatment.
Spec, details on new Aston Vantage GT3
Details are few and far between on the new high-performance coupe. Overnight, Aston issued this single teaser image and video of its go-faster Vantage on its official website.
It is due for a full unveiling at the 2015 Geneva motor show in March, when the full story will be told. However, we know it will be based on the V12, not the V8. Which means this will be one epically quick road car – the regular Vantage V12 does 0-62mph in 3.9sec and tops 200mph.
It’s clear to see that the GT3 will wear a wing worthy of its race-bred name. Judging by this promotional image, the rear spoiler will be big enough to camp on, stretching nearly the full width of the widened flanks.
Our sources suggest it will be ‘a truly “hardcore” Aston Martin, the most extreme Vantage to date’ – with less weight and more power. The age-old recipe for more grunt, then…
Is this a track special, or a daily driver?
Although inspired by the V12 Vantage GT3 raced at the Nurburgring 24hrs and other GT competitions worldwide, this will be a road car, fully homologated for daily use on public streets.
Production is expected to be limited to no more than 100 units.
Stay tuned for the full story at the Swiss motor show in early March; deliveries are expected later in 2015, with prices expected to spiral north comfortably in to six figures.