Aston Martin Vantage GT12 Review
The extremely limited Aston Martin Vantage GT12—a cross between the V12 Vantage S and the Vantage LM GTE racecar—is a break from the typical black-tie Aston. It trades its Super 180’s wool for nomex and its John Lobb oxfords for proper racing shoes. A different kind of dashing that might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but as for us at Exotic Car List, we’ll take a Venti.
Now You Can Buy a Factory-Tuned V12 Vantage S
Using the knowledge gained from studying Vantages involved in motorsports all over the world, Aston have shed weight, increased power, lowered the center of gravity and increased the track width of the GT12, inching it closer to the Vantage LM GTE, but not so close as to lose all its road manners.
Titanium and Magnesium Engine Parts Free Up Power
Starting with the engine from the V12 Vantage S, the team from Gaydon in Warwickshire, England have managed to extract 592-hp out of the 6.0-liter V12 for the GT12, a 27-hp increase over the S, using trick pieces like a magnesium inlet manifold, a lightweight magnesium torque tube and a full titanium exhaust with center outlets. The dual whammy of increasing power while also shedding weight is an engineer’s dream, but an accountant’s nightmare. That’s why this Aston Martin for sale starts at $392,650 before options.
I’ll Have Some More Downforce, Lightness and Grip, Please
The entree of more power needs the side dishes of lightness, downforce and grip to make a complete factory-tuned meal. Carbon fiber seats trimmed in Alcantara flank the instantly recognizable center console, finished in carbon as well, making the GT12’s interior more business-like, but still a pleasure to stare at. The door casings are also made of carbon as are the hood and front splitter. To make the advertised weight drop of 220 lbs. from the V12 Vantage S requires the buyer to shell out for the optional carbon fiber roof and polycarbonate rear and rear quarter windows.
Wider is and Stickier is Always Better
A wider track at the front and rear vs. the V12 Vantage S allow the GT12 to wear very sticky Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires, 265/35/19 up front and a massive 325/30/19 at the rear on its 19” magnesium alloy wheels, which can be outfitted with magnesium center locking caps if so desired. Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes are straight from the V12 Vantage S, as are the three-stage adaptive dampers which have been re-tuned specifically for the GT12. Different spring rates and sway bars in the GT12 have been chosen to give the limited-edition Vantage “a very different feel” from the V12 Vantage S, according to David King, director of Aston Martin Special Projects.
Aston Martin Vantage GT12 Price and Availability
Okay, so I would have said, “Yes, I want one” about three paragraphs ago but lucky for me the 100 promised examples are already sold. The base price was an even £250,000 which is just under $400,000 USD using current conversion rates.
Aston Martin Brings A Legend Back to Life
