Reviews
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Aston Martin’s GT8 focuses on performance over traditional aesthetics, to produce one of the most viscerally exciting limited-run beasts to roll off their Gaydon factory.
WHAT IS IT? Probably the final hurrah for the long-lived Aston Martin Vantage; a limited edition inspired by the company’s Vantage GTE racer and carrying a correspondingly chunky price tag. It’s a limited edition of just 150, all of which have already been sold despite having a price tag in Europe that – with all lightweight options added – means it’s more than twice as expensive as a basic Vantage S V8.
WHY WE’RE TESTING IT To see how close Aston has got to its ambition of creating a car that can fairly be seen as a rival for the Porsche 911 GT3. Although the GT8 is a limited edition, the company has committed to building at least two “specials” a year in future, so there’s no doubt that we’ll be seeing equally hardcore Aston models going forwards.
THE WHEELS VERDICT Astons are traditionally meant to be about both luxury and performance. The GT8 delivers only on the right-hand side of that equation, but does so impressively well. Lightweight materials and a comprehensive chassis retuning make it feel far connected and viscerally exciting than any other Vantage variant – even last year’s V12-powered GT12. What it can’t manage is any of the waft that buyers normally expect from an Aston – it’s hardcore all the way. But the fact the whole limited run sold out within days is proof that there are buyers looking for the brand to produce models this focussed.
PLUS: Huge experience, outrageous soundtrack, brilliant to drive. MINUS: Expensive, lacks manners, short on firepower compared to segment rivals
Yet it’s also proof that engine output is only ever half of a power-to-weight ratio, with an extreme diet making this the lightest road-going Vantage ever produced, and a comprehensive chassis makeover making it one of the most exciting to drive – although with the thrills coming at the expense of the standard car’s impressive refinement. Do all that and the GT8’s kerbweight drops to 1509kg, making it the lightest licence-plate wearing Aston since James Bond was Scottish.
The sacrifice is refinement. Pretty much all of it. At cruising speeds the cabin is loud enough to require raised voice conversations, and extending the raucous V8 creates the sort of sound and fury that makes any other kind of in-car entertainment entirely superfluous. If you’re looking for an Aston for undercover espionage work, this definitely isn’t it.
SPECS Model: Aston Martin Vantage GT8 Engine: 4735cc V8 dohc, 32v, atmo Power: 328kW @ 7300rpm Torque: 490Nm @ 5000rpm Transmission: 6-speed manual Weight: 1503kg (mfr claim, dry, lightweight options) 0-100km/h: 4.5 sec (claimed) Fuel economy: TBC Price: TBC On sale: Now. Sold out.
