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Rich Dad River
Everyone and their dog knows that "Aston Martin" is just another way of saying "sex on wheels", but did you know that the luxury sport (some might even say super car) manufacturer actually competes in various motorsports worldwide, and on a regular basis?
Whether it's with the 600hp DB9 GT1 in the prestigious European FIA GT1 series, the V12 Zagato at the 24 Hours of Nurburgring, or even with the lightning-quick, feather-light, AMR (Aston Martin Racing) Lola (world-renowned race-engineering company and chassis supplier) LMP1 car in the American Le Mans endurance racing series at Petit Le Mans, Aston Martin never fails to have something brutally fast - and equally as eye-catching - up their sleeve. Always covering ground in various racing series all over the world, Aston Martin is still known to be the only manufacturer around that offers a race car for every level of GT competition.
With a satisfying sprinkling of wins spread across various GT series like the British GT, FIA GT, and FIA GT3 Championships since 2005, along with numerous podium positions - and even more wins and podium finishes under the HEXIS Racing AMR team, Aston Martin's weapon-of-choice for the GT3 class, the Aston Martin DBRS9, has proven to be a voracious racing machine - and yet still retains the elegance that is drawn from its street-legal cousins.
However, Aston Martin's now announced that for the new season beginning in 2012, they have built another way to seduce and destroy their GT3 class competitors worldwide; a permanent replacement for the legendary DBRS9. Enter the Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3, a violent piece of engineering brilliance whose intimidating demeanor and potential on the track can only be rivaled by its luscious, almost deceptive looks.
With aggressive, intriguing lines that are almost pleasantly disturbed by numerous vents, grilles, a front splitter and a massive carbon fiber rear wing, the V12 Vantage GT3 is a purpose-built race machine that also retains the glamorous flair of its road-going counterparts. It's a car that would make any racing enthusiast giggle and blush like a school girl, yet rip their face off with one wrong move.
The face-ripping commences when the rear wheels spin as a result of the lightweight 6.0L V12 engine, taken from the original V12 Vantage, breathing out 600hp along with nearly 520 ft lbs of torque - transferred to the road through an Xtrac 6-speed sequential transmission - to pull the 1250 kg (or 2755 lbs) carbon-fiber-sprinkled body and stiff, aluminum chassis from 0 to 60 in under 4 seconds.
Along with a 6-point safety harness and the other usual components required for a purpose-built race car, the lightweight V12's engine position has also been lowered and improved for optimal weight balance, allowing for a lower center of gravity that - coupled with a shorter wheel base as well as various adjustable suspension components - with a potential 2.5 to 3.0 g of lateral cornering force, will break your neck in the corners, along with the competitors' as they stare covetously at the untamed, fire-breathing behemoth.
Track testing has already begun for the Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3, and in a variety of colors that only amplify this car's vicious beauty.
However, your goals - and in many cases, dreams - in regards to even just glancing at this car in person may have to take a rain check for now, because although numerous V12 Vantage GT3s will be available before the beginning of the 2012 season, at £298,000 (or $465,000 USD) the V12 Vantage GT3 will cost close to two DBRS9's, and will be priced a little below three road-going Aston Martins as well as being sold primarily for race teams; and since it's illegal to use on the streets, then unless you drive for - or own - a racing team and are planning on running in a GT race anytime soon - this is not the car for you, but that doesn't mean you can't fantasize about the effortless overtakes and sweet victories that await you, whilst being treated to an unadulterated, soul-shaking, ear-splitting twelve pipe orchestra and having your bones rattled and broken apart by the intense g forces resulting from driving this exclusive, alluring, and arousing monster.
However, if you can't even afford to fantasize, then have no fear, because as long as you have enough change in your pocket to pay for admission, the V12 Vantage GT3 will be available for your less-than-inconspicuous ogling in various 2012 GT racing series across the globe, such as the FIA GT3 Championship, ADAC Masters, Nurburgring VLN, Blancpain Endurance Series, British GT, Belcar, and the Open GT series. At these events you'll be privileged to witness the elegant, iron-jawed Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3. Its Power, Beauty, and Soul... Meets cut-throat performance.
Video:
2012 Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3 (Slides)
Posted in: Aston-Martin
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