One of the most important new cars for Aston Martin is the car that will never hit the roads! It’s the V12 Vantage GT3 which from net season will replace the DBRS9 race car in endurance and GT racing series.

Aston Martin Racing began testing its new V12 Vantage GT3 at Brands Hatch in Kent this week, covering almost 1000 kilometres in just two days. The majority of the mileage was conducted by factory driver Darren Turner. It uses a significantly revised version of the DBRS9’s 6.0-litre V12 engine. Changes include a lightweight crankshaft, dry sump lubrication and new valve trains for even greater performance and reliability. It seems to be up to the job.

The V12 Vantage GT3 will be eligible to run in all FIA GT3 and national GT3 championships; the Blancpain Endurance Series; VLN and the Nurburgring 24 Hour endurance race.

Technical Specifications – V12 Vantage GT3

Engine

Lightweight V12

Dry sump oil system

Power >600bhp

Torque >700Nm

Transmission

Xtrac 6 speed sequential transmission with semi-auto gear change

Limited slip ramp/plate differential

Carbon fibre propshaft

Chassis

Lightweight aluminium chassis

Steel roll cage to FIA safety standards

High speed pneumatic jack system

Suspension

Double wishbone with uniball bearings

2-way adjustable dampers front and rear

Optimised geometry for lower race ride height

Steering

Hydraulic power assisted steering

Fuel system

110-litre fuel cell to FIA safety standards

Twin quick release couplings

Brakes

6 pot front & 4 pot rear calipers with ventilated steel discs

Manually adjustable front/rear brake bias

Adjustable motorsport ABS and traction control

Wheels & Tyres

Front 12.5” x 18”        30/68-18

Rear  13” x 18”            31/71-18

Cockpit

Six-point safety harness

Adjustable seat & pedal box position

Lightweight battery

Carbon fibre dash

Fire extinguisher system

Driver display and shift lights

Body & Aero

Removable carbon-fibre body panels & aluminium roof

Front splitter

Adjustable full width carbon fibre rear wing

Aerodynamically optimised bumpers, side sills and rear fenders

Weight

Dry weight 1250kg