“With production strictly limited to just 100 examples, the new (GT12) model combines all of Aston Martin’s learning from its years of sports car competition around the globe to produce its most performance focused road-going Vantage.” – Aston Martin. Introduced to the public at the Geneva International Motor Show in February 2015, the GT12 was the ultimate development of the modern Vantage family, which had emerged in V8-engined form back in 2005 at that year’s Geneva Motor Show. The V12-engined Vantage had been introduced in 2009 having been displayed as a V8-based concept car at Aston Martin’s new design studio in December 2007. Its 6.0-litre power unit was derived from that of the DBS and produced a mighty 510bhp. In addition, changes to the Vantage body included a new rear diffuser and a moveable rear wing, while the bonnet and boot lid were made of carbon fibre. Carbon ceramic brakes were standard. There have been numerous limited-edition Vantage spin-offs, both 8-cylinder and 12-cylinder, some intended for ‘GT’ racing. Having attained the ultimate accolade for a sports car manufacturer by winning the Le Mans 24-Hour race, a feat achieved in 1959 with the DBR1, Aston Martin has returned to international endurance racing with a series of cars for the production-based GT categories, commencing with the V12-engined DBR9 GT1 in 2005. Introduced in 2006, the cheaper GT3 category has gone on to achieve global acceptance, with many national sports car racing championships run to GT3 regulations, including those of Britain, Spain, Italy, Germany, France, Australia, Japan, and the USA. Given the company’s racing heritage, it was inevitable that Aston Martin would become involved. The result was the most potent and uncompromising Vantage to date: the track-inspired Vantage GT12. Inspired by Aston Martin Racing’s successful campaigns, the new GT3-derived Vantage was designed and engineered exclusively at the company’s Gaydon HQ to be the most overt expression of everything that defines Vantage: an inspirational sports model offering supreme driveability on the road and uncompromising dynamic performance on track. Comprehensively re-engineered and significantly restyled, this GT3-inspired special edition was lower and wider than any of its siblings in the Vantage family. A broader track – front and rear – brought even more composed cornering thanks to a reduction in lateral load transfer, while the use of Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres provided even more assured handling. As one would expect of a car intended for track use, the GT12 incorporated various competitions-derived features, from the extensive use of carbon fibre inside and out to the aerodynamics package, which includes a prominent rear wing and pronounced front splitter. The aerodynamics package in particular has a profound effect, producing significantly increased downforce to provide even greater levels of grip and stability at higher speeds. Thus the GT12 possessed more focused and uncompromising capability than any previous road-going Aston Martin. Measures illustrating the engineers’ determination to eliminate mass wherever possible included new flared carbon fibre front wings, carbon fibre bonnet, a lithium ion race-derived battery, carbon-fibre door casings, optional carbon fibre roof, and optional weight-saving polycarbonate rear window and rear quarter windows. That determination paid off, as the new car weighed only 1,565kg, some 100kg less than a standard V12 Vantage S. The GT12 was equipped with a new version of Aston Martin’s 6.0-litre V12 engine, capable of producing 601PS (592.7bhp, while beneath the skin there were numerous bespoke engineering upgrades. Magnesium inlet manifolds with revised geometry, a lightweight magnesium torque tube, and a full titanium exhaust system with centre outlets were just a few of the features that emphasised the rigorous re-engineering of this exclusive new Vantage. Power reached the ground via Aston Martin’s Sportshift III seven-speed semi-automatic transmission. The car’s interior was comprehensively reworked, too, with a full carbon fibre centre stack and touch-sensitive control array. In addition there were race-derived carbon fibre sports seats, Alcantara trim, and the option of numerous bespoke features courtesy of the brand’s popular personalisation service: ‘Q by Aston Martin’. Announcing the arrival of the Vantage GT12, Aston Martin CEO Dr Andy Palmer said: “Motorsport is in our blood at Aston Martin. The Vantage is the car we campaign in top level sports car racing around the world and so it seems only fitting that we offer an exclusive, limited edition Vantage that expertly fuses our motorsport know-how with our road car prowess.” He added: “The Vantage GT12 is an uncompromising example of our design and engineering expertise and I’m sure the 100 owners who secure one of these cars will savour every second behind the wheel; whether on the road or on the track.”
Engine
Configuration
60º V12
Location
Front, longitudinally mounted
Construction
aluminium block and head
Displacement
5,935 cc / 362.2 cu in
Bore / Stroke
89.0 mm (3.5 in) / 79.5 mm (3.1 in)
Compression
11.0:1
Valvetrain
4 valves / cylinder, DOHC
Fuel feed
Fuel Injection
Aspiration
Naturally Aspirated
Power
591 bhp / 441 kW @ 7,000 rpm
Torque
625 Nm / 461 ft lbs @ 5,500 rpm
BHP/Liter
100 bhp / liter
Drivetrain
Body
magnesium alloy, composite and steel
Chassis
bonded aluminium monocoque
Suspension (fr/r)
double wishbones, coil springs, monotube dampers, anti-roll bar
