Prior to moving into the brand’s Gaydon home in 2007, Aston Martin Works was nestled in Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire, where the historic home of famed British sports carmaker produced some 13,000 hand-built raw machineries before moving to their current base in Warwickshire.
The month of September also marks the time when new registration plates in the UK are out. In this case, the “65” series license plates are being rolled out, sending sales number spiking through the roof. Coincidentally, it’s the same time where one of the first few units of the limited-run Vantage GT12 hits the Aston Martin Works showroom, where one very lucky UK customer will take delivery.
The Aston in question here is based on the Vantage V12. In keeping with the brand’s exclusivity, only 100 prime examples will see the light of day, and none will be headed to North America. The GT12 draws 592 hp from its 6.0-litre V12 engine lent from the road-going V12 Vantage S model.
Notably restyled to the GT3 flavour, this motorsport-inspired road car is lower and wider than any of its Vantage siblings and boasts an extensive use of carbon fibre inside, as well as a track-focused aerodynamic pack that comes with a prominent rear wing and pronounced front splitter. They all work in tandem to give the car more downforce, so it’s more than just aesthetics.
Lightness is a crucial part of the GT12. Tipping the scales at just over 1,565 kg, it utilises materials such as magnesium for the intake manifolds; aluminium and carbon composites for the prop shafts and body whereas titanium is used for the exhaust system. The exhausts here reduce back pressure, allowing for advanced ignition timing. The uprated suspension comes from an altered suspension geometry and spring rates, along with a recalibrated electronic control for the adaptive dampers.
Inspired by Aston Martin Racing’s squadron and its successful campaigns, this new GT3-derived Vantage was designed and engineered at Aston’s HQ at Gaydon to be the most overt expression of everything that defines the Vantage lineup – a sports model offering supreme drivability on the road, and uncompromising track performance.
Originally, the project was deemed the Vantage GT3, but that would’ve clashed with Porsche’s use of the GT3 moniker. Hence, the GT12 was born with a price tag of £250,000 or RM1.6 million. That being said, it is still a ‘budget‘ alternative as compared to the offerings from McLaren and Ferrari. And just like Aston’s other track-muncher, the Vulcan, they are both sold out.
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