Aston Martin Vantage GT8 – a V8 Vantage with track focus & £165k price tag

The Aston Martin Vantage GT8 is revealed as a track-focussed V8 Vantage with more power, less weight and a £165k price. Just 150 being made.

Aston Martin are learning that there’s a market for ‘Limited Edition’ versions of their regular cars which sell for a chunk more than the regular versions.

So although you can buy an Aston Martin V8 Vantage for around £95k, AML is now giving you the opportunity – if you’re quick – to spend almost twice as much on a titivated version – the Aston Martin Vantage GT8.

Following in the path of last year’s Vantage GT 12 (which was the GT3 until Porsche get the arse), the GT8 is inspired by Aston’s GTE Racer, with a focus on less weight and improved aerodynamics as well as a slight jump in power.

Aston has made liberal use of carbon fibre for the bumpers, splitter, diffuser and sills, with carbon fibre bucket seats and door panels too for a weight saving of around 100kg.

If you want to spend even more than the hefty £165k price tag you can, with an optional Aero Pack adding a big wing at the back and tweaks top the front splitter, as well as other options like titanium exhaust and polycarbonate windows.

Under the bonnet is the familiar 4.7 litre V8 – with 440bhp and 361lb/ft of torque for the GT8 – mated to either a six-speed manual or seven-speed Sportshift II auto, and is good for 62mph in 4.2 seconds.

The GT8 comes in a choice of Stirling Green and Lime, China Grey and Blue or Stratus White and Green, but as Aston are only building 150 (and most are probably already sold) you’ll need to be quick if you have £165k (and more like £200k if you tick the option boxes) to spare for a V8 Vantage with knobs on.