Aston Martin may be a luxury brand, but those who really know the British marque are aware that it also has a rich motorsport heritage. Races like the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the World Endurance Championship are part of its resume.
So it isn’t surprising for Aston to come up with a few cars that have been inspired by racing. The latest of these is the Vantage GT8. The sporting Vantage takes its cue from the equally stunning V8 Vantage GTE race car. This can be seen in aerodynamic bits like the front splitter, the fenders, the bumpers, the side sills and the diffuser. If these aren’t sporty enough, buyers can specify the optional Aero Pack that adds a large wing and corner elements. Needless to say, all these are done in ultra-lightweight carbon-fiber material.
Speaking of weight savings, bits like a carbon-fiber roof, polycarbonate rear windows and windshield, titanium exhaust, and carbon-fiber seats are thrown in for good measure. All these help save some 100kg and give the car better handling and performance. To shave off more kilos, Aston Martin installed a lithium-ion battery. This diet brings out the most from the 4.7-liter V8’s 440hp, coursed through either a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed Sportshift automatic with paddle shifters.
While the Vantage GT8 may look like an extreme racing machine, it is still an Aston Martin that affords would-be buyers a load of luxury and customization. Although those carbon front seats may be manually operated, owners still get the comfort of air-conditioning, a 160W sound system, and the AMi III infotainment package. Moreover, one can choose between a cool set of five-spoke alloy wheels or seven-spoke center-lock magnesium rims.
Finally, there is a choice between three exterior paint schemes: Stratus White and Green, Stirling Green and Lime, or China Gray and Blue.
Aston Martin will begin delivering the Vantage GT8 in the last quarter of this year. As only 150 examples will be released, this should be one desirable collector's item.
