Aston Martin V8 Vantage GT2
 The Drayson-Barwell GT2 car at the 2008 Monterey Sports Car Championships |
|
| Category | LM GTE |
|---|---|
| Constructor | Aston Martin Lagonda LTD |
| Technical specifications | |
| Chassis | Bonded aluminium chassis with carbon fibre panels |
| Suspension (front) | Double wishbone with adjustable Koni dampers |
| Suspension (rear) | Double wishbone with adjustable Koni dampers |
| Engine | Aston Martin 4.5 litre, all aluminium, 90° V8, FMR |
| Transmission | 6-speed sequential manual |
| Weight | FIA 1,150 kg (2,540 lb) ACO 1,175 kg (2,590 lb) |
| Fuel |
Total Excellium 98 unleaded Total Quartz 9000 lubricants |
| Competition history | |
| Debut | 2008 Grand Prix of Long Beach |
The Aston Martin Vantage GT2 is the most powerful racing variant of the Aston Martin V8 Vantage family. The Vantage GT2 is based on the V8 engined Aston Martin Vantage road car but is designed to run on both standard race fuel or E85 bio-ethanol.
Debuting in 2008 the GT2 is designed to meet FIA and ACO GT2 class regulations, the Vantage will become a customer car for use in the FIA GT Championship, American Le Mans Series, Le Mans Series, and 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The Aston Martin Vantage GT2's engine is a modified version of the standard 4.3 litre Aston Martin V8 from the road car. The larger 4.5 litre engine retains the road car’s cylinder block, heads and crankshaft, but uses competition components, including cylinder heads, con-rods, valves, camshafts and a racing exhaust system. The developed engine features a dry sump lubrication system allowing the engine to be positioned low in the chassis, for an optimised centre of gravity.
The car uses the original bonded aluminium chassis supplied by Aston Martin, but uses carbon fibre panels (exc roof) and features front splitter, rear diffuser, rear wing and a flat floor.
The V8 Vantage GT2 has been tuned to be capable of running E85 ethanol or normal racing fuel, dependent on the racing series.
Aston Martin Racing has confirmed the entry of two upgraded GTE-Spec Vantage GT2s in the inaugural World Endurance Championship with a works team. Both the upgraded cars will debut in tests in January. They are reported to 'wear' Gulf liveries, much like those of the GT and Prototypes of Aston Martin have before.
Aston Martin V8 Vantage GT2 saw its racing debut at the 2008 Grand Prix of Long Beach, driven by Paul Drayson, a former Minister of State in the United Kingdom, and Jonny Cocker, 2004 British GT Champion. The car will also be run on E85 fuel.
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