New Aston is light fantastic

28th November 2008

The baby in Aston Martin’s range has slimmed down – and powered up!

This version of the V8 Vantage, the GT4, tips the scales at 300kg less than the road car, and features a tuned 4.7-litre V8. That will give it a greater power-to-weight ratio than the N24 racer it replaces.

The special Vantage is named after the FIA’s GT4 competition class, and it has been designed to allow teams and privateers a ‘ready to race’ option that can contest the series, as well as endurance championships around the world. The crash diet has seen the interior trim removed or replaced with lighter materials – but the car still gets a high-strength steel rollcage and fire extinguisher system.

It also benefits from a new handling package with fully adjustable suspension, plus an improved brake set-up to cope with track use. Prices start at £96,645, but most buyers are expected to pay an unconfirmed premium to have the sequential Sportshift gearbox fitted. First deliveries are due in January.