Aston Martin Racing V12 Vantage GT3 Specs

Aston Martin Racing Confirms Specifications of new V12 Vantage GT3

Gaydon, 24 August 2011. Aston Martin confirms today the specification of the 2012 Vantage GT3 race car. As the natural successor to the enormously successful DBRS9, the new Vantage GT3 will offer customers the latest in race-car technology to ensure the Vantage GT3 has the credentials to compete with the most recent new product offerings from other manufacturers.

The Vantage GT3 features a modified version of Aston Martin's production 6.0 litre V12 engine found in the marque's highly acclaimed sports cars. The dry-sumped engine is expected to produce 600 bhp with 700 Nm of torque and its position has been optimised further to improve weight balance. A carbon fibre propshaft mates the engine to a Xtrac 6 speed sequential transmission with semi-automatic paddle shift gear change.

The Vantage GT3 benefits from Aston Martin's V/H architecture philosophy, the modular chassis uses aerospace bonding techniques to create a light and immensely stiff aluminium and composite structure which not only aids handling on Aston Martin's road cars but is also an ideal base for competitive race cars.

Most dramatic of all, are the new aerodynamics, contributing to a muscular and purposeful stance while maintaining the overall beauty of the V12 Vantage. The shorter wheel base and lower engine position over its predecessor will contribute to enhanced handling and performance. The new car will also provide enhanced driveability with the latest race-developed ABS and Traction Control systems which are fitted to the V12 Vantage GT3 as standard.

The Vantage GT3 will be eligible for numerous race series around the world including the FIA GT3 Championship, ADAC Masters, Nürburgring VLN, Blancpain Endurance Series, British GT, Belcar and Open GT among others.

Aston Martin remains the only manufacturer to offer a race car for every GT class firmly cementing it as a global forerunner in race car production. The new Vantage GT3 is being developed to replicate and indeed surpass the superb track record of the DBRS9.

Aston Martin has sold 24 DBRS9s and customer teams have accumulated many race podiums and victories over the past six years including 2009 Winner Teams Championship, and Winner Manufacturers Championship for Hexis Racing and as recently as a 2011 GT Open race win at Spa for Villois Racing.

Testing of the new car will commence in October, where the Vantage GT3 will undergo a comprehensive sign-off durability test including a 10,000 km test programme. Deliveries of the first cars will commence in early 2012. Prices start from £298,000.V12 Vantage GT3 Specification

Engine

- Lightweight V12

- Dry sump oil system

- Engine repositioned to optimise weight distribution

- Target power 600 bhp

- Target torque 700 Nm

Transmission

- Xtrac 6 speed sequential transmission

- Racing clutch

- Limited slip ramp/plate differential

- Easily accessible drop gears

- Semi-automatic paddle shift gear change

- Carbon fibre propshaft

Chassis

- Lightweight aluminium chassis

- Steel roll cage to FIA safety standards

High speed pneumatic jack system

Steering

- Hydraulic power assisted steering

- Quick release steering wheel

Suspension

- Double wishbone suspension arms front

and rear with uniball bearings

- 2-way adjustable dampers front and rear

- Optimsed geometry for lower race ride height

Fuel system

- 110 litre fuel cell to FIA safety standards

- Twin quick release couplings

- Fuel cell location optimised for performance and safety

(behind the driver's seat, inside the safety roll cage)

Brakes

- 6 pot front calipers

- Ventilated front brake disc

- 4 pot rear caliper

- Ventilated rear brake disc

- Floor mounted pedal box

- Manually adjustable front/rear brake bias

- Adjustable motorsport ABS

Wheels

- 12.5" x 18" front

- 13" x 18" rear

Tyres

- Front 30/68-18

- Rear 31/71-18

Cockpit

- Steering wheel mounted controls

- Driver display / data logger / shift lights / beacon

- 6-point safety harness

- Adjustable steering position

- Adjustable seat position

- Adjustable pedal box position

- Light weight battery

- Carbon fibre dash

- Fire extinguisher system

Aerodynamics

- Front splitter

- Adjustable full width carbon fibre rear wing

- Aerodynamically optimised bumpers, fenders and sills

Weight

- Target dry weight 1250kg

Wheelsandmore Vantage V8

Aston Martin @Vantage V8 by Wheelsandmore

As many sportscars from Aston Martin are wearing the designation Vantage since the early 50´s german tuning professionals are showing their latest creation of the beautiful convertible.

After installing the handcrafted 3-piece 6Sporz² forged rims the roadster appears more sporty and visually perfected. At the front the wheels are sizing 9,0 x21 fitted with tyres 255/30/21 and at the rear axle 11.0 x21 with tires in size 295/25/21.

Wheelsandmore also used uncompromising state-of-the art quality at the suspension kit developed from specialists KW.

A rebound and compression adjustable stainless steel coilover suspension variant 3 enhances the performance significantly without an uncomfortable impression.

The luxury tuner receives more agility, torquey and powersound of the V8 engine by installing the proven combination of 200 cells sport catalysts and a remotable, valve-controlled exhaust system. Combined a noticeable increase in performance is achieved at about 460HP and 500Nm of torque.

Vantage GT3

ASTON MARTIN RACING ANNOUNCES NEW VANTAGE GT3

Gaydon 13 April 2011. Aston Martin Racing announces today, the new Vantage GT3 race car based on the V12 Vantage road car, which will be ready for competition in 2012.

The Vantage GT3 will replace the DBRS9, launched in 2006 at Le Mans, and which has since seen 26 chassis built and raced to multiple victories in national and international series across the world most recently winning in the Australian GT at Mount Panorama in October last year and achieving a podium finish at Zolder last week. The new Vantage GT3 joins the Vantage GT2, GT4, DBR9 GT1 and the AMR-One LMP1 to create the largest and most comprehensive range of Aston Martin race cars to date.

Designed to FIA regulations, the Vantage GT3 will be built around the Vantage aluminium VH architecture with a lightweight dry-sumped 6.0 litre V12 engine, based on the V12 Vantage road car. The new car will have a race semi-automatic paddle shift Xtrac gearbox and the latest race-developed ABS and traction control systems, optimised for the Vantage GT3.

John Gaw, Aston Martin Racing Managing Director added: "The DBRS9 has been a very successful GT3 racing car and, despite being more than six years old, is still competitive today.

"However, the competition has moved on and we needed to create a new car that combines our six years' experience in this category with the latest race technology to continue Aston Martin's success in GT3 for many years to come."

Aston Martin Racing has set a target weight of 1250kg and target engine performance figures of more than 600bhp and 700Nm. The first car will be completed in July 2011 and will undertake an extensive test and development programme during the rest of the year. Ten customer cars will then be built ready for delivery for the start of the 2012 season.

► Aston V8 Vantage S on Track

New Images of Aston V8 Vantage S

The New Aston Martin V8 Vantage S

• The driver-focussed V8 Vantage featuring enhanced dynamics

• Increase in power and torque to 430 bhp and 490 Nm

• New ground-up developed seven speed Sportshift™ II transmission

• Dramatic V12 Vantage-inspired looks available as coupe and Roadster

• Compelling package of agility, balance, engagement and everyday practicality

Gaydon, 25 January 2011. The Aston Martin Vantage range comes of age with the new V8 Vantage S characterised by a host of new driver-focussed features all designed to push the honed dynamics of the standard Vantage to a new benchmark level.

Aston Martin’s own 4.7 litre V8 engine has been engineered to deliver peak power of 430 bhp (436 PS / 321 kW) at 7300 rpm and torque of 490 Nm (361 lb.ft) at 5000 rpm and is coupled with a new ground-up developed Sportshift™ II transmission specifically designed for the Vantage S with seven short ratio gears to deliver the most engaging and intense driver involvement.

“The Vantage S epitomises every attribute of the V8 Vantage and pushes the driver experience beyond what we have offered before,” says Dr. Ulrich Bez, CEO of Aston Martin, “It combines dynamic exhilaration with all the charming finesse, beauty and practicality already associated with the Vantage range.”

Dynamic revisions are central to the Vantage S, with a quickened steering rack ratio of 15:1 compared to 17:1 on the standard car and a larger diameter front brake disc with new six-piston front brake calipers. New springs and dampers, and wider rear wheels also contribute to chassis revisions. A new dynamic stability control (DSC) system specifically tuned to the Vantage S along with a new brake module providing features such as Hydraulic Brake Assist (HBA) which provides assistance in emergency braking situations, and Hill Start Assist (HSA). Bespoke tyres have been developed with Bridgestone to optimise road holding enhancing dynamic feel.

At the core of the Vantage S is the new seven speed Sportshift™ II automated manual transmission, offered as standard and delivers exceedingly rapid gear changes, twenty per cent quicker than Sportshift™. The extra gear permits shorter well-spaced ratios taking advantage of the optimum torque, which combined with a shorter final drive ratio of 4.182:1 delivers quicker acceleration and an enhanced sporting feel. The inherent benefits of a single clutch system reduces complexity and significant weight over a dual clutch solution. Sportshift™ II allows the driver to take an increased level of control, modulating the throttle pedal to achieve the desired type of gear change. In addition, the Vantage S features a ‘Sport’ button which quickens the gear changes and gives the driver a more aggressive throttle response while also opening the exhaust bypass valves across most of the engine speed range perfectly characterising the ‘S’ variant.

As with every Aston Martin, the Vantage S benefits from its own unique sound with a new exhaust muffler and bypass valve map, creating a very distinctive and highly vocal exhaust note.

The Vantage S is instantly recognisable as a true Aston Martin, characterised by its purposeful stance conveying its agility and performance capability. From the front, a new lower front bumper finished in perfectly-aligned carbon fibre houses a larger air intake feeding the engine and front brakes. The splitter combined with the extended deck lid ‘flip’ work in harmony to provide increased down force at speed. New 19 inch ‘V’ spoke wheel styles are available as standard, while an optional 10-spoke lightweight forged wheel option, reduces unsprung mass further. A new rear bumper and side sills optically widen the car.

Bridging the gap between road car and race car, the Vantage S is heavily influenced by the 2011 Vantage GT4 race car. The GT4 takes advantage of the Vantage’s immensely rigid bonded aluminium chassis, providing the ideal platform for a race car. Minor racing safety modifications including an FIA approved roll cage and racing ‘bag’ petrol tank along with weight saving measures are made to the standard road car to convert it into a class winning race car. In 2010, it won its class at the Dubai 24 Hours following this up with further endurance race wins at the Nürburgring 24 Hours, Silverstone 24 Hours and Spa 24 Hours. It also won its first major international championship victory in the European GT4 Cup.

The Vantage S is available to order now from Aston Martin’s global dealership network.

astonmartin

Aston Martin V8 Vantage S

The Aston Martin Vantage range comes of age with the new Aston Martin V8 Vantage S characterised by a host of new driver-focussed features all designed to push the honed dynamics of the standard Vantage to a new benchmark level.

Aston Martin's own 4.7 litre V8 engine has been engineered to deliver peak power of 430 bhp (436 PS / 321 kW) at 7300 rpm and torque of 490 Nm (361 lb.ft) at 5000 rpm and is coupled with a new ground-up developed Sportshift™ II transmission specifically designed for the Aston Martin V8 Vantage S with seven short ratio gears to deliver the most engaging and intense driver involvement.

"The Vantage S epitomises every attribute of the V8 Vantage and pushes the driver experience beyond what we have offered before," says Dr. Ulrich Bez, CEO of Aston Martin, "It combines dynamic exhilaration with all the charming finesse, beauty and practicality already associated with the Vantage range."

Dynamic revisions are central to the Aston Martin V8 Vantage S, with a quickened steering rack ratio of 15:1 compared to 17:1 on the standard car and a larger diameter front brake disc with new six-piston front brake calipers. New springs and dampers, and wider rear wheels also contribute to chassis revisions. A new dynamic stability control (DSC) system specifically tuned to the Vantage S along with a new brake module providing features such as Hydraulic Brake Assist (HBA) which provides assistance in emergency braking situations, and Hill Start Assist (HSA). Bespoke tyres have been developed with Bridgestone to optimise road holding enhancing dynamic feel.

At the core of the Aston Martin V8 Vantage S is the new seven speed Sportshift™ II automated manual transmission, offered as standard and delivers exceedingly rapid gear changes, twenty per cent quicker than Sportshift™. The extra gear permits shorter well-spaced ratios taking advantage of the optimum torque, which combined with a shorter final drive ratio of 4.182:1 delivers quicker acceleration and an enhanced sporting feel. The inherent benefits of a single clutch system reduces complexity and significant weight over a dual clutch solution. Sportshift™ II allows the driver to take an increased level of control, modulating the throttle pedal to achieve the desired type of gear change. In addition, the Vantage S features a 'Sport' button which quickens the gear changes and gives the driver a more aggressive throttle response while also opening the exhaust bypass valves across most of the engine speed range perfectly characterising the 'S' variant.

As with every Aston Martin, the Vantage S benefits from its own unique sound with a new exhaust muffler and bypass valve map, creating a very distinctive and highly vocal exhaust note.

The Aston Martin V8 Vantage S is instantly recognisable as a true Aston Martin, characterised by its purposeful stance conveying its agility and performance capability. From the front, a new lower front bumper finished in perfectly-aligned carbon fibre houses a larger air intake feeding the engine and front brakes. The splitter combined with the extended deck lid 'flip' work in harmony to provide increased down force at speed. New 19 inch 'V' spoke wheel styles are available as standard, while an optional 10-spoke lightweight forged wheel option, reduces unsprung mass further. A new rear bumper and side sills optically widen the car.

Bridging the gap between road car and race car, the Aston Martin V8 Vantage S is heavily influenced by the 2011 Vantage GT4 race car. The GT4 takes advantage of the Vantage's immensely rigid bonded aluminium chassis, providing the ideal platform for a race car. Minor racing safety modifications including an FIA approved roll cage and racing 'bag' petrol tank along with weight saving measures are made to the standard road car to convert it into a class winning race car. In 2010, it won its class at the Dubai 24 Hours following this up with further endurance race wins at the Nürburgring 24 Hours, Silverstone 24 Hours and Spa 24 Hours. It also won its first major international championship victory in the European GT4 Cup.