Aston Martin has revealed its latest release, and boy, does this new powerhouse aim to please! With only 150 examples to be manufactured, though, not all will be able to get to grips with the all-new model, but Signature Car Hire are delighted to detail all of the latest.
The Vantage GT8, as it will be known, is Aston Martin’s new limited edition sports car, drawing its inspiration from the GTE racecar with which Aston Martin competes in the World Endurance Championship. That thought alone gets the heart pumping, does it not?
The Aston Martin Vantage GT8 is based on the Vantage V8 and will similarly house a 4.7-litre engine, but receive a power increase of 10 BHP, resulting in a power output of 440 BHP; the GT8 will operate a rear-wheel drive system from either a sport-shift single-clutch automated six-speed manual gearbox.
Lighter Than Your Average
The Aston Martin Vantage GT8’s identifying feature is its weight – it’s lightness, to be exact. Accrediting the GTE through which it is inspired, the Vantage GT8 has undergone a serious weight reduction programme, coupled with an optional aerodynamic package, making for as close a representation to the racecar as possible. The GT8 flaunts wider, carbon fibre body panels, a lighter exhaust system with the secondary catalysts removed and magnesium wheels as standard. In addition, acrylic plastic windows and a lithium ion battery are all available as options, as well as switching the switches in the cockpit to plastic instead of glass to save some grams; all of these ensure the car weighs up to 100kg less than your average car on the road, thus crowning the Vantage GT8 as Aston Martin’s lightest and most powerful car yet.
This is all quite a feat, considering the GTE – on which the GT8 is based – weighs some 400kg less than Aston Martin’s newest car, yet retains much of the regular Vantage’s interior, along with power of around 480bhp.
The Vantage GT8 Drives on the Wild Side
The GT8 is available in “halo” colours, including Stirling Green with lime, white with green highlights or silver with blue. Aston Martin Design Chief, Marek Reichman, has mentioned that the Vantage GT8 customers are truly expressing their wild side while specifying their own versions of the car; he reveals many have engaged in “putting the graphics on, choosing all the options and enjoying the car’s analogue feeling. So far we’ve seen a great response in terms of customers wanting to show the true spirit of what Vantage GT8 is all about.”
Quite how the drive performance of this limited edition model will fare we are still to discover, however, some are waiting in eager anticipation already – over three-quarters of the 150 cars to be manufactured were sold even before it was officially announced. Reassurance has also been given that a vast amount of work has been invested into the ride and handling characteristics of the car, therefore creating high expectation for the Vantage GT8.
We are sure Aston Martin are more than capable of living up to those expectations; after all, we are great ambassadors of the brand here at Signature Car Hire through our very own Car Hire Fleet. Our Aston Martin Hire Fleet parks within its spaces the Aston Martin Virage Volante, the Aston Martin DB9, the limited edition Aston Martin V8 Roadster, and – new to fleet – the new Aston Martin Vanquish Coupé. All provide an absolutely thrilling car rental option in London; get behind the wheel to experience a self-drive hire that is unlike anything you have ever done before. Nothing can compare to being in control of such beautifully crafted, powerful cars – and of course, Making your Marque on the road.
