Today is a good day. Today is the day we find out all the numbers behind the racey Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3, the insane-looking successor to AM's sumptuous DBRS9.
Like its forbear, it's got a tuned production V12. The 6.0-litre's been dry-sump'd and shuffled down a bit in the engine bay to improve weight distribution and runs through an Xtrac six-speed sequential ‘box with a semi-automatic paddle shift. There's special carbon propshaft sending power to its rump.
But how much power, we hear you scream? 600bhp and 700 torques. In a car that'll weigh 1250kg.
To manage said power, it's got a stiffened shell and shorter wheelbase, the suspension geometry's been optimised for its lower race ride height, the fuel tank's been moved behind the driver's seat and there's a steel roll cage that helps prevent contortion through cornering and, erm, rolling.
There's also race-developed ABS and traction control systems, enormous six-pot front calipers, a racing clutch, high speed pneumatic jack system, carbon fibre dash and as fire extinguisher system, which means you can literally take it from the showroom to the track (albeit on a trailer - it's not road legal).
It's eligible to run in several series, including the FIA GT3 Championship, ADAC Masters, Nürburgring VLN, Blancpain Endurance Series, British GT, Belcar and Open GT.
SOURCE: www.topgear.com