Skip to main content

Aston Martin will build a track-ready V8 Vantage for 150 lucky enthusiasts

Aston Martin GT8 teaser
Aston Martin has announced that the Vantage will be replaced by an all-new model next year, but that doesn’t mean the current car will slowly fade away into the history books. The British automaker has published a teaser sketch to preview a more hardcore version of the Vantage called GT8 that was developed primarily to hit the track.

The GT8 will be to the V8-powered Vantage what the sold-out GT12 was to the V12-equipped model. Aston Martin hasn’t published technical specifications yet, but the GT8 is believed to use an evolution of the regular Vantage’s naturally-aspirated 4.7-liter V8 that will be tuned to make over 420 horsepower and 347 pound-feet of torque. The extra power will help the coupe hit 60 mph from a stop in approximately 4.5 seconds.

Related Videos

Aston Martin remains committed to keeping the manual transmission around, so it comes as no surprise that the GT8 will ship with a seven-speed manual. Enthusiasts who would rather have two pedals will be able to order the coupe with an automatic transmission, likely at an extra cost. Rear-wheel drive will come standard regardless of which gearbox is chosen.

The GT8 will be the lightest Vantage Aston Martin has ever built thanks to the widespread use of lightweight materials such as carbon fiber, aluminum, and titanium. Aston’s teaser sketch, pictured above, suggests the GT8 will receive a full body kit that will include a deep front splitter, and a huge wing out back.

British magazine Autocar reports the Aston Martin Vantage GT8 will be shown to a hand-picked group of customers this week, so we expect that official information and pictures will be published in the next few days. Pricing will reportedly start at £170,000, about $243,000 at the current conversion rate, and production will be strictly limited to just 150 examples.

Editors' Recommendations

Best car brands
2019 Lamborghini Aventador SVJ

One of the most significant benefits of a free market is the heated competition that can happen between brands. When it comes to cars, each manufacturer pushes itself to bring customers the best of the best. It is difficult to get a "bad" new car today, with modern technology making vehicles safer, faster, more efficient, smarter, and more complex than ever before. 

Whether foreign or domestic, there are standout companies in the car business, such as Toyota and Porsche. But, each of these companies has a different niche that they cater to. The list below was compiled through Digital Trends' hands-on automotive reviews. Let’s dive in and find out which fits you best.
Best exotic brand: Lamborghini 

Read more
The best BMWs of all time
best bmws ever bmw e31 850csi

After selling motorcycles, bubble cars, and high-end sedans, BMW made a name for itself by becoming the self-appointed purveyor of the ultimate driving machine. It built cars designed around the driver, and enthusiasts all around the world fell in love with models like the 2002, the 3 Series, and the 5 Series.

Here are the 10 greatest BMWs of all time. They're cars that helped establish the reputation the company enjoys in 2020.
BMW 507 (1956)

Read more
The best Aston Martins of all time
Aston Martin DB5

Although England-based Aston Martin is commonly associated with James Bond, its illustrious heritage stretches far beyond the silver screen. It was founded in London in 1913, and it started racing decades before Ian Fleming created James Bond. From an open-top racer to a gasoline-electric hypercar, here are the company's greatest models.
Ulster

The Ulster wasn’t the first Aston Martin, but it was the car that established Aston’s performance reputation. It was a replica of the race car that won the 1934 Ulster Tourist Trophy, hence its name. Its 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine developed 85 horsepower and propelled the Ulster to a claimed top speed of 100mph -- heady stuff for the time.
DBR1

Read more