{"id":466220,"date":"2024-02-13T08:23:44","date_gmt":"2024-02-13T08:23:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/?p=466220"},"modified":"2024-09-02T08:51:38","modified_gmt":"2024-09-02T08:51:38","slug":"the-2024-aston-martin-vantage-gt3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/the-2024-aston-martin-vantage-gt3\/","title":{"rendered":"The 2024 Aston Martin Vantage GT3"},"content":{"rendered":"

Timed to coincide with the international debut of the new Vantage road car, the spectacular new Vantage GT3 mirrors the latest showroom model\u2019s intensified performance, sharpened dynamics, and eye-catching style, translating those qualities into a formidable new GT racer and starting the next chapter in Aston Martin\u2019s illustrious motorsport history.\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

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Speaking of the exciting new GT racer, Marco Mattiacci, Global Chief Brand and Commercial Officer of Aston Martin said: “Simultaneously revealing the new Vantage and Vantage GT3 race car underlines Aston Martin\u2019s commitment to building the world\u2019s finest sports car and then proving its capabilities on-track. It also signals a closer relationship between our road and race programs, with Aston Martin Racing benefitting from the exceptional pool of talent, experience, and knowledge forged in Formula 1\u00ae<\/sup> and found throughout Aston Martin Performance Technologies.”\"\"<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

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“The result is a truly state-of-the-art GT racer; one that shares its DNA with the latest Vantage road car, yet is perfectly evolved to suit the latest GT3 regulations. Descended from a succession of multiple world championship-winning predecessors, the new Vantage GT3 is proving irresistible to an impressive international roster of leading GT racing teams. Hungry for victory and poised to build upon Aston Martin\u2019s extraordinary track record, the <\/em>world\u2019s greatest endurance races are firmly in the Vantage GT3\u2019s sights.”\"\"<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

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The Vantage GT3 is a comprehensive evolution of the ultra-successful and recently retired Vantage GTE and GT3 cars, which made their debut in 2018. Sharing their mechanical architecture \u2013 and that of the new Vantage road car \u2013 the Vantage GT3 is built around Aston Martin\u2019s proven bonded aluminum chassis structure and powered by its fearsome twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 engine. Boasting a dramatic, all-new nose-to-tail aerodynamic package, comprehensively revised suspension, and state-of-the-art electronics, together they endow this latest-generation Aston Martin GT racer with world-beating potential.\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

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Built to comply with all FIA GT3 class regulations, including the new-for-2024 LMGT3 category, the new Vantage GT3 is a truly global competitor. One that will battle for honors in the world\u2019s most competitive GT series, including the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship (IMSA), Fanatec GT World Challenge, European Le Mans Series (ELMS) and the N\u00fcrburgring Langstrecken Serie (NLS).<\/p>\n

The Vantage GT3 is the first product of the pioneering collaboration between Aston Martin Racing (AMR) and Aston Martin Performance Technologies (AMPT), as Adam Carter, Aston Martin\u2019s Head of Endurance Motorsport, explains: “The new GT3 is our first opportunity to use AMPT to play a role in leveraging the capabilities, attitude, and methodologies of all of Aston Martin\u2019s various nerve centers,\u00a0 which we\u2019ve then combined with the unrivaled GT program management expertise of AMR. The GT racing program will serve as a development lab that will increase knowledge transfer and approach into future Aston Martin road cars”<\/em>.\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

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Developed to a strict set of objectives set by AMPT and implemented by AMR, the new Vantage GT3 upgrades centered upon addressing some of the old car\u2019s more challenging handling characteristics to make the new GT3 as driveable as possible for both professional and amateur drivers alike. An extensive development program \u2013 including a grueling 30-hour test \u2013 was completed late last year with a combination of Aston Martin\u2019s contracted professional drivers, plus selected amateur racers. All reported the new Vantage GT3 to be a super-fast-yet-forgiving machine with no vices and a usefully wide set-up window that\u2019s perfectly suited to the unique demands and ultra-competitive nature of top-level GT racing.\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

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As lead engineer on the GT3 programme, Aston Martin Racing\u2019s Head of Performance Gustavo Betelli was charged with ensuring the Vantage GT3 delivered the desired combination of ultimate pace and approachability. Finding that sweet spot while staying within the FIA\u2019s tightly prescribed and strictly policed Balance of Performance (BoP) regulations was key to hitting AMPT\u2019s transformative objectives: “The focus on the new Vantage GT3 was to increase their performance window and make something that would work at any circuit, on any tire, and with any driver. We also had to work with the new regulations, which required additional changes.\"\"<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

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“These new generation GT3 cars are more dependent than ever on aerodynamic downforce, so we wanted to make the car more stable under braking. The old car would dive a lot under braking, so we had to try and control the pitch with the rear suspension set-up. But this meant it was stiff, which made it quite snappy and, also over-worked the tyres. Working heavily on damper tuning, we have found a much better balance with the new car so we can generate the downforce without compromising the suspension set-up. The result is much-improved progression and greater stability in all conditions. It also works its tires much more evenly, so teams have more strategy options. The feedback from drivers who\u2019ve tested it has been overwhelmingly positive. Especially the amateur racers, who have been able to achieve lap times that are much closer to the Pros. Now we need to go racing!”<\/em>.\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

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Visually the Vantage GT3 combines the striking design of the new Vantage road car with the extreme downforce-generating aerodynamics that make GT3 racing so popular with racers and fans alike. Extensive use of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) achieved the desired targets for aerodynamic performance and efficiency \u2013 while remaining within the FIA\u2019s downforce limits \u2013 and input from Aston Martin\u2019s Design department ensured this pure function was matched by perfect form.\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The result is a truly breathtaking machine. One that combines the muscular and unmistakable design language of the Vantage road car with the awesome aggression and poise of a purebred racer. Amongst the most striking aspects of the Vantage GT3 is the new nose. Not only does the road car\u2019s new wider grille aperture look fabulous, but it also allows AMR to increase the volume of ducted cooling air to the brakes, which now gives drivers more consistent performance.<\/p>\n

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The nose itself is a large one-piece clamshell made from carbon fiber. A quick-release design to facilitate rapid removal and replacement in the event of mid-race accident damage, it houses a full-width laser light and a shorter splitter; the effect of which moves the center of pressure rearwards to reduce pitch sensitivity and aid stability. Large louvers in the top of the front wheel arches evacuate high-pressure air to reduce lift, with an even larger stack of louvers in the rear arches allowing high pressure to escape from the rear to reduce drag.\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Thanks to its widespread eligibility, the new Vantage GT3 is the weapon of choice for an impressive and ever-growing worldwide roster of Aston Martin Racing partner teams. This sees long-standing AMR partners Heart of Racing and D\u2019station Racing joined by newcomers such as Germany\u2019s Walkenhorst Motorsport and Belgian team ComToYou Racing. Flying Lizard Motorsports, already a Vantage GT4 partner team, will now step up to the Vantage GT3 in the US. It is projected that as many as 30 Vantage GT3s will be actively racing by the end of the 2024 season.<\/p>\n

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This immediate popularity is the best possible endorsement for the AMR-built machine, which has already been seen in action at the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona and will be fighting for victory at the N\u00fcrburgring 24 Hours, Spa-Francorchamps 24 Hours and – most iconic of all \u2013 the 24 Hours of Le Mans later this year. The Vantage GT3 will also see action in a host of national GT championships around the globe \u2013 including the Japanese Super GT Championship and British GT Championship \u2013 underlining Aston Martin\u2019s leading role in world motorsport.<\/p>\n