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Aston Martin launches Vantage GT8
Carbon panels, wider track and some spectacular wing work for this GTE-inspired limited edition, plus a suitably bracing price...
You wait years for an Aston Martin product announcement, and then six come along at once.
Race to road link fairly clear here!
Only a week after confirming the option of a seven-speed manual gearbox for the V12 Vantage S , Aston has now revealed another variant of its smallest sports car, one that's been sent on the sort of diet that is used to get skinny celebrities making videos. The Vantage GT8 has been inspired by the Vantage GTE racer that competes in the World Endurance Championship and features part-carbon bodywork, a fractional power boost and - in the official images - a colour scheme featuring the same radioactive green stripes as its track-going sister.The GT8 was unveiled at Silverstone this morning, with Aston saying that production will be limited to 150 units worldwide, deliveries will start from the last quarter of 2016, and if you want one then you'll have to be prepared to stump up £165,000 before options. That's a serious supplement over the V8 S, which lists at £94,995, but in Aston's defence it does have a good record of finding buyers for its limited runs in recent years.
The GT8 is far more than badges and a bodykit, although there's an asterisk next to the headline claim of it being 100kg lighter than a standard Vantage - that's the prediction for a car equipped with all "lightweight options", a phrase beloved by Italian supercar makers. As standard the GT8 is widened, gets a broader track and uses carbon fibre for bumpers, front splitter, rear diffuser wings and sills. Note too the cutaway front wheelarch which mimics that of the GTE racer, improving aerodynamic performance and cooling.
Other colours are available, don't worry
The dramatic wingwork you see in these images comes with the Aero Pack, another option, which adds the tea tray at the back and corner elements to the front splitter. Those 19-inch, seven-spoke centre-lock magnesium rims are another extra - five spoke alloys are standard - with both carrying Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres. Brakes are steel and steel only, with no ceramic option.Inside the cabin weight saving measures include carbon fibre skins on the inside of the doors and lightweight carbon sports seats. A race-like lithium-ion battery is also standard, but it's not a stripped-out special: standard equipment includes air-con and an audio system, along with Aston's revised AMI III infotainment system that we're looking forward to actually having a go with.
Engine output has increased modestly, with Aston claiming 446hp, a small bump over the 436hp of the V8 S. The savings on the other side of the power-to-weight ratio have cut the claimed 0-62mph time from the Vantage S's 4.8 seconds to 4.4 seconds, with a top speed of 190mph. Suspension tweaks include "track focused" geometry plus uprated springs and dampers; we're told to expect the car to be the sharpest handling roadgoing Vantage so far.
If the combination of Stirling Green and lime details is a bit OTT, then Aston is also offering grey and blue or white and green. Or, if you want something a bit easier to look at with a hangover, you can get one of the standard Vantage colours. Both a manual gearbox and the automated single-clutch 'Sportshift' transmission will be available.
There's a manual available too if you wish - hurrah!
And those lightweight options? According to the official release they include a carbon roof, polycarbonate side windows and rear screen as well as a titanium centre-mount exhaust. Taken together the GT8's weight is expected to be 1,510kg, 100kg less than the regular Vantage S.We've still got some questions that we'll try to clear up while we're at Silverstone, the biggest being what the GT8 weighs in "standard" form without the extra-cost lightening, and what it costs if you choose to tick every box. Stay tuned...
Watch the video.