Aston Martin is set to launch a special edition V8 Vantage S to the European market which takes its inspiration from the marque’s on-track success in GT4, particularly the VLN endurance championship at the Nürburgring.
With inspiration from the SP10 class in the VLN series the new special edition model will be called the Aston Martin Vantage SP10 and offered in a bespoke specification reflecting the GT4 thoroughbred.
“Aston Martin has a long and successful tradition in motorsport. Since in the GT4 class the technical similarities between racing cars and their road model cousins are extremely pronounced, many of our customers see their own Aston Martin as a way to identify with our motorsport activities, or they actively participate as ‘gentlemen drivers’” said Jeffrey L. Scott, Managing Director of Aston Martin Lagonda of Europe.
“With the new Vantage SP10 we are now offering a V8 Vantage S with a special motorsport and race track flair – at a competitive price point” he added.
In technical specification the SP10 will be almost identical to that of the V8 Vantage S but with the addition of a six-speed manual transmission for the first time. Also on offer to customers in the optional Sportshift™ II automated manual seven-speed transmission.
The heritage of the SP10 is clear, in 39 VLN races Aston Martin GT4 racing cars have driven to 24 class victories and 48 podium places, while four 24-hour races have ended with two class victories and four podium places.