Cars: Aston Martin Vantage GTE

Saturday, March 3, 2012

Aston Martin Vantage GTE

The year 2012 will mark Aston Martin’s return to the FIA World Endurance Championship with the Vantage GTE entering in the GTE Pro category. A second car will join in the third round at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The cars will be driven by Darren Turner (GBR), Stefan Mücke (D), and Adrian Fernandez (MX).
The new Vantage GTE is based on the Vantage GT2, but improved upon with significant additions to all areas including the engine, drivetrain, and suspension. The new GTE will be powered by the same 4.7 V8 engine found in the production version, but with significant changes made to the cylinder heads, connecting rods, valves, and camshafts. The engine is coupled to a racing system and a six-speed semi-automatic sequential transmission with competition clutch.
The Aston Martin Vantage GTE’s body is made from lightweight carbon fiber and features an advanced aerodynamic package with a carbon fiber splitter, flat floor and diffuser, and a carbon fiber rear wing designed using the latest computational fluid dynamics (CFD) techniques. Aston Martin has also added a bespoke wishbone suspension and six-piston Brembo racing calipers.
Aston Martin Lagonda Chairman David Richards shared his enthusiasm for the new project: "It’s great to be returning to our core motorsport activity; production-based GT racing. It formed the basis for Aston Martin’s return to competition when the DBR9 GT1-racer was launched in 2004, and it was in GT racing that we achieved our famous victories at Le Mans in 2007 and 2008."

Technical specifications

Chassis: Bonded aluminium chassis withCarbon fibre panels

Suspension: Double wishbone with adjustable Konidampers

Suspension: Double wishbone with adjustable Koni dampers

Engine: Aston Martin 4.5 litre, all aluminium, 60°V8, FMR

Transmission: 6-speed sequential manual

Weight: FIA 1,150 kg (2,500 lb)

ACO 1,175 kg (2,590 lb)

Some pictures