ASTON MARTIN VANTAGE GT8

Vantage GT8: taking the V8 Vantage to dynamic new extremes
Race-bred Vantage GT8 is the most extreme V8 Vantage
Weight savings of up to 100kg make it the lightest Vantage ever
Strictly limited to 150 production cars

15 April 2016, Gaydon: Racing is in Aston Martin’s blood. From outright victory at Le Mans 24 Hours in 1959, to countless race wins in GT3 and GT4 categories and a continued race and title-winning form in the production-based GTE category of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), Aston Martin is proud to be at the forefront of GT racing.

All Aston Martin road cars possess some of that sporting DNA, but the luxury brand’s most extreme models draw directly from that knowledge and passion to deliver something altogether more overt in looks and ability. The new Vantage GT8 is just that.

Director of Special Projects and Motorsport, David King said: “We long held the desire to create a road car that truly reflects our racing activity at Le Mans. With the Vantage GT8, we’ve finally been able to achieve that. 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.”

Inspired and influenced by the 2016 Aston Martin V8 Vantage GTE race car, the Vantage GT8 is a true thoroughbred. The lightest and most powerful V8 Vantage ever, the Vantage GT8’s dramatically sculpted carbon fibre bodywork has been shaped by race-bred aerodynamic function. With a super-sharp chassis tuned for track-focused agility, powered by a revised 446PS¹ version of Aston Martin’s rousing 4.7-litre V8 and available with a choice of six-speed manual or seven-speed Sportshift^TM II paddle-shift transmissions, the Vantage GT8 has unmistakable style, a no-nonsense stance and a driving experience that’s second to none.

From nose to tail the motorsport inspired special edition is every inch the road racer. Wide-bodied with aerodynamics that clearly take their lead from Aston Martin Racing’s WEC contender, it features extensive use of carbon fibre with the front splitter, front and rear bumpers, fenders, side sills and rear diffuser all fashioned from the lightweight material. One of the most striking standard features is the cutaway front wheelarch, which mimics that of the GTE racer. Those wishing for the most extreme aero configuration can specify the optional Aero Pack, which adds the large rear wing and additional corner elements to the front splitter.

The Vantage GT8 is further distinguished by a new 5-spoke alloy wheel, with ultra-lightweight seven-spoke centre-lock magnesium rims available as an option. Both standard and optional wheels are shod with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres for exceptional performance on-road and track. Three optional ‘Halo‘ paint schemes are available; striking combinations of China Grey and Blue, Stratus White and Green or Stirling Green and Lime that perfectly capture the Vantage GT8’s dynamic character and performance.

Improved performance through weight saving is central to the Vantage GT8. A standard-fit lithium ion battery sheds more vital kilos while further (optional) weight saving measures include a carbon fibre roof, polycarbonate rear screen and rear side windows and a titanium centre mounted exhaust. Together with the standard-fit lightweight carbon fibre sports seats (with manual adjustment, again to save weight) and carbon fibre door panels, this comprehensive suite of lightweight components saves up to 100kg, making the Vantage GT8 the lightest Vantage ever. Air-conditioning, a 160w audio system and Aston Martin’s latest AMi III infotainment system ensures it remains genuinely road-useable.

Announcing the introduction of the new Vantage GT8, Aston Martin CEO Dr Andy Palmer said: “Road cars are our business, but racing is the beating heart of Aston Martin. The Vantage GT8 expresses that combination perfectly: an authentic and unashamedly extreme road car that draws directly from our Le Mans racing programme to amplify the inherent dynamism that has long made the Vantage such a fine sports car. Beautifully engineered and set-up to be equally at home on a fabulous road or a demanding race track, the Vantage GT8 is a driver’s car in the truest sense of the word.”

Appealing to collectors as well as pure driving enthusiasts, the Vantage GT8 will be strictly limited to just 150 examples. Recommended retail price starts from £165,000 and deliveries will commence in Q4 2016.

Appendix A – Technical Specification

Body

Two-seat, two-door coupe body style
Extruded bonded aluminium VH body structure
Aluminium, magnesium alloy, composite and steel structures
Extruded aluminium door side-impact beams
Carbon fibre wide body with flared sills and wheel arches
Carbon fibre front and rear bumpers
Black mesh bonnet louvre inserts

Engine

All-alloy, quad overhead camshaft, 32-valve, 4735 cc V8
Front mid-mounted engine, rear-wheel drive
Stainless steel exhaust system with slash cut, centre-mounted bright tailpipes
Compression ratio: 11.3:1
Maximum power: 446 PS¹ / 440 bhp / 328 kW @ 7300 rpm
Maximum torque: 490 Nm (361 Ib ft) at 5000 rpm
Acceleration – 0-60mph – 4.4 seconds (predicted)
Maximum Speed – 190 mph (predicted)
Lithium ion battery

Transmission

Rear mid-mounted, six-speed manual transmission
Sportshift^TM II seven-speed automated manual transmission (option)
Aluminium alloy torque tube with carbon fibre propeller shaft
Limited-slip differential
Final drive ratio 3.909:1

Steering

Rack and pinion, power-assisted steering
Column tilt and reach adjustment

Wheels & Tyres

19” 5-spoke forged alloy Graphite wheels
Front: 8.5J x 19” Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres
Rear: 9.5J x 19” Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres

Suspension

Track focused suspension geometry with uprated and re-tuned springs and damper system
Front: Independent double wishbones incorporating anti-dive geometry, coil springs, anti-roll bar and monotube dampers
Rear: Independent double wishbones with anti-squat and anti-lift geometry, coil springs, anti-roll bar and monotube dampers

Brakes

Front: Ventilated and grooved two-piece floating discs, 380 mm diameter with six piston monobloc calipers
Rear: Ventilated and grooved steel discs,
330 mm diameter with four-piston monobloc calipers
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) with Track mode
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)
Emergency Brake Assist (EBA)
Hydraulic Brake Assist (HBA)
Positive Torque Control (PTC)
Hill Start Assist (HAS)
Traction Control with three stage adjustability (TC)

Safety & Security

Driver and passenger airbags
Passenger Airbag Cut-Off Switch (PACOS) Perimetric Alarm System
Aston Martin Tracking by Cobra^2,3

Dimensions

Length (with aero pack) 4540 mm
Width 1922 mm (excluding mirrors)
Height 1258 mm
Wheelbase 2601 mm
Front track 1590 mm
Rear track 1626 mm
Fuel capacity 80 litres
Kerb weight: 1510 kg (with all weight-saving options) (predicted)

Standard Exterior Specification

Primary paint colour
Full mesh lightweight grille
Lower valances and sills in Gloss Black
Clear rear lamps with Black border
Black Anodised brake calipers with Brembo logo
Vantage GT8 exterior rear badging
Gloss Black window surround
Black headlamp bezels
Black enamel infill Aston Martin wings badge
Lithium ion battery
High intensity discharge headlamps⁴ (Halogen headlamps)⁵
Automatic headlights
Electric windows
Electric adjust and heated mirrors
Powerfold mirrors
Heated rear screen⁶
Beam blade front wiper system
Rain sensing wipers

Standard Interior Specification

Aston Martin lightweight seats with manual seat adjust (fore & aft; front & rear height adjustment via seat mounting bracket)
Low-height centre console
Vantage GT8 Primary leather palette (Pure Black or Argento Grey)
Vantage GT8 Primary Alcantara^® palette (Pure Black or Grey Blend)
Interior accent colour (door pull backing & paddleshift inserts) – selected Vantage GT8 leather colour palette
Carpeted rear cabin
Coarse stitching throughout (all colours)
Primary carpet colour
Obsidian Black Alcantara^® steering wheel
Carbon Fibre Twill fascia and Piano Black Trim Pack
Satin lacquer carbon fibre door panels
Black magnesium paddleshifts with leather inserts in interior accent colour (Sportshift II only)
Carbon fibre manual gear shift surround (Manual only)
Polycarbonate fascia switches
Black pedals
Special Edition Vantage GT8 sill plaque
Seat headrest Vantage GT8 badge embroidery
Graphite speaker grilles
Satin Black AMi III rotaries
Automatic climate control
Tyre pressure monitoring system

Standard In-Car Entertainment and Convenience

Infotainment System (AMi III)
Satellite navigation
160-watt Aston Martin audio system
DAB and AM/FM
USB x 2 reversible sockets
iPod^® / iPhone interface (via Apple Car Play)
Bluetooth® audio streaming

Exterior Options

Carbon fibre front grille
Vantage GT8 Accent Pack
Vantage GT8 halo paint schemes
Lower valances and sills in exposed gloss carbon fibre
Carbon fibre rear tailgate and rear lamp infills
Aero Pack – Incorporating rear wing and extended front corner splitters
Carbon fibre roof
Polycarbonate rear quarter and rear windows
Full titanium exhaust system with slash cut centre-mounted Black textured tailpipes
19” 7-spoke forged alloy Satin Black wheels
19” 7-spoke forged alloy Satin Black wheels with centre-locking mechanism
19” 7-spoke magnesium Satin Black wheels with centre-locking mechanism
Painted brake calipers: Black, Grey, Yellow, Red, Orange
Carbon fibre mirror caps
Machined carbon fibre Aston Martin wings badges

Interior Options

Lightweight seats with automatic adjust
Sports seats – including side airbags, electric adjust and heated seats
High-line centre console
Contemporary leather interior
Special leather interior
Contemporary Alcantara® palette
Rear environment in leather or Alcantara®
Contemporary carpet colour
Satin Cuprum Carbon Fibre fascia
Herringbone Carbon Fibre fascia
Carbon fibre paddleshifts (Sportshift^TM II only)
Glass fascia switches
700-watt Aston Martin Premium audio system
1000-watt Bang & Olufsen BeoSound audio system
Auto-dimming rear view mirror
Garage door opener (with auto-dim mirror)
Smokers’ Pack
Second glass key
Leather key pouch
Steering Wheel Technology Pack (cruise and volume controls)
Alarm upgrade – volumetric and tilt sensors
First Aid Kit
Rear parking assist cameras

1. 446PS max power output for UK & Europe
2. Market specific
3. Cobra is a registered trademark of Cobra Automotive Technologies
4. Dipped beam only
5. Main beam only
6. Not available on polycarbonate option
7. iPod^® is a trademark of Apple Inc. registered in the US and other countries.