Aston Martin Vantage GT4.
Aston Martin has unveiled the new Vantage GT4, which comes after the successful launch of the Vantage road car and Vantage GT3 racing car. Aston Martin's impressive GT lineup is completed with the Vantage GT4, which is aimed at serious circuit driving fans and partner racing teams. This highlights the brand's dedication to motorsport, spanning from track days to Formula One®.
Expanding upon the remarkable track record of success of the previous Vantage GT4, the new model is poised to become a formidable force in the younger categories of GT racing. This most recent iteration of the Vantage GT4 makes Aston Martin's newest rival more competitive than ever by bringing a slew of chassis, aerodynamic, drivetrain, and economy enhancements. It also benefits from the performance and technological advancements found in the recently launched Vantage road car.
Speaking of the newest addition to Aston Martin’s GT racing line-up, Chief Brand and Commercial Officer, Aston Martin Lagonda, Marco Mattiacci, said: “The new Vantage GT4 is a born winner. Benefitting from the significant performance improvements seen in the sensational new Vantage road car, and developed in parallel with the Vantage GT3, the Vantage GT4 is a demonstration of the increasing synergies between our road and race car programmes; class-leading power and technology on the road translating into race-winning pace on the track.
“The introduction of the new Vantage GT4 also allows us to build an even deeper connection to Aston Martin’s partner teams. We currently have more than 40 partners in active competition across the broad spectrum of global GT racing, many of whom are running multi-car, multi-class programmes. This level of engagement underlines our commitment to all levels of motorsport competition as well as building closer ties with our wider community of fans and followers, many of whom fell in love with the brand through our successes in sportscar racing and at Le Mans.”
Similar to the Vantage GT3, Aston Martin Racing (AMR) created, developed, and manufactured the new Vantage GT4. Since 2005, AMR has been Aston Martin's official GT racing partner. Since the storied DBR9, AMR has been in charge of every production-based Aston Martin GT race vehicle. This unparalleled breadth of expertise and priceless continuity have directly influenced the Vantage GT4 development.
The wildly popular and multiplely championed outgoing GT4 racer is the foundation of the Aston Martin Vantage GT4 programme, which leverages advancements made to the new Vantage road car to extract even more performance out of the most recent race vehicle.
“The new Vantage GT4 is very much an evolution of the previous car,” explains Aston Martin Head of Endurance Motorsport, Adam Carter. “Closer synergies between Aston Martin’s road and race car programmes have enabled AMR to capitalise upon improvements made to the new Vantage road car for increased speed and efficiency, while retaining the core qualities that made the outgoing GT4 so popular with teams and drivers.”
Due to strict rules, the GT4 Vantage and its production brother are nonetheless highly similar, with the racing vehicle sharing about 80% of the road car's mechanical and structural components. The bonded aluminium chassis, which is equipped with a complete bespoke roll cage to meet strict safety regulations before the bodywork is attached, is at the centre of this.
The main differences between the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine and transmission—the former using a Bosch Motorsport ECU with custom software created by AMR, the latter installed with ZF/AMR Motorsport software to control the otherwise production-standard automatic transmission—are in the electronic control systems. With no auto mode, the eight-speed gearbox is 'converted' by the custom software into a six-speed paddle shift, locking out the seventh and eighth gears, which are road-going overdrive ratios designed to save fuel at cruising speeds.
The main goal of the electrical system modifications is to provide accurate engine management and turbo control systems in order to satisfy the rigorous Balance of Performance standards set by the GT4 competition organisers. They are also used to regulate traction control, particularly in motorsports, and improve gearshifts. The newest Bosch DDU 11 display, which takes the place of the road car's instrument panel graphics, is also installed in the Vantage GT4 cockpit.
Regulations also motivate adjustments to the chassis. With a few allowed modifications to the suspension linkages, the inboard suspension mounting locations stay the same as those of the production road vehicle. This is to accommodate the required 18" diameter wheel and tyre package, which is considerably smaller than the 21" wheels used on the new road vehicle, and to give the proper camber range for racing purposes. New custom-made forged aluminium wheels made to AMR's specifications are used on the Vantage GT4.
New two-way adjustable KW dampers, provided as part of AMR's larger technical collaboration with the famous suspension manufacturer, are a standout feature of the dynamic package. The new car has been developed to inspire a greater feeling of precision and control through its driving dynamics, based on extensive feedback from drivers over the past six years. It does this while maintaining the same essential driver-friendly traits and exploitability that made the previous Vantage GT4 such a popular race car among its driver base.
With rules allowing only minor deviations from the road vehicle design, the Vantage GT4's appearance is quite similar to that of the new Vantage, which has an amazing design. To improve the aerodynamic package of the GT4, computational fluid dynamics, or CFD, was employed. These modifications are flawlessly incorporated into the finished design thanks to input from Aston Martin's design department.
The bulk of the body panels on the Vantage GT4 are common manufacturing components. The bonnet is an exception, since it permits the addition of air vents and is composed of a natural flax fibre composite that is sustainable and has a cork core material for rigidity. The GT4 rules also permit small aerodynamic changes. This calls for the inclusion of a new rear wing and a bigger front splitter in the new Vantage GT4. As a consequence, downforce is up and drag is down over the preceding Vantage GT4.
Additionally, airflow management—especially, cooling air to the engine and brakes—has received attention. The bigger radiator aperture on the new Vantage allows more air to pass into the engine's cooling system, which is advantageous to both. The amount of ducted air going to the brakes has also increased. Most importantly, neither of these improvements was made at the expense of the airflow over the back wing.
The new Vantage GT4 made its racing debut internationally last month at the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona race in Florida, USA, in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge event, following an extensive development programme. With several vehicles now in the possession of client teams and AMR actively constructing orders for over 40 units for the 2024 season, production is currently well under way.
Since making its debut on the global scene in 2009, the Aston Martin Vantage GT4 has consistently placed first in its class in GT series and endurance competitions all over the world. The number of teams that have opted to run the outgoing generation of Vantage GT4 in several international endurance races, national GT series, local club racing events, and trackdays is evidence of the vehicle's growing reputation since its premiere in 2018.
The new Vantage GT4 is the preferred option for both professional and amateur racers due to its ability to maintain momentum and expand upon its heritage while offering a swift, dependable, and competitive package that allows drivers and teams to contend for victory.