Aston Martin Vantage GT3 ready for action - kind of.

Aston Martin Racing has given details of its next GT3 racer – the Vantage GT3.  Designed for the FIA GT3 racing category, the Vantage GT3 is expected to be released in time for the 2012 racing season. 

It will replace Aston Martin’s DBRS9 as their GT3-spec racer.  John Gaw, Aston Martin Racing Managing Director, said: “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.”

The Vantage GT3 uses the V12 Vantage road car as a base, and will get a dry-sumped 6.0 litre V12 engine expected to produce 600hp and 700Nm (516 lb ft) of torque.   It will also have a paddle-shift racing gearbox manufactured by Xtrac, the latest in ABS and traction control technology, and a target weight of 1250kg.

The first Vantage GT3 will be completed in July, and will undergo extensive testing for the rest of the year.  Ten customer cars are expected to be built for the 2012 season.

Alex Kisiri

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