Aston Martin SP10 – European debut for V8 Vantage S special edition
Inspired by the Aston Martin Vantage GT4 race car
Available as coupé and roadster – 436 PS and top speed of 305 km/h
V8 Vantage S offered for the first time with manual transmission
Frankfurt am Main, 8 February 2013. Aston Martin is launching a very special edition V8 Vantage S in Continental Europe that takes its inspiration from the brand’s numerous successes on the race track.
Inspired by its successful motorsport activities in the GT4 racing series – particularly in the VLN endurance championship at the Nürburgring – the new car is a road model that has been engineered in the style of the luxury sports car maker’s GT4 racers.
With 436 PS and a top speed of 305 km/h, Aston Martin has named the new special edition model Vantage SP10. The inspiration behind it is its namesake class SP10 in the VLN series, in which GT4 racing cars compete at the Nürburgring.
The Vantage SP10 is offered in a bespoke specification that reflects its close affinity with the racing car.
Jeffrey L. Scott, Managing Director of Aston Martin Lagonda of Europe: “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’.
“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.”
Impressive performance and, for the first time, manual six-speed transmission
Technically, the Vantage SP10 is almost identical to the V8 Vantage S but with the addition, for the first time, of a six-speed manual transmission.
Since its market launch in 2011, the V8 Vantage S has developed into a popular model for Aston Martin customers, a model that places an even greater emphasis on sportiness. With its 4.7-litre V8 engine, which produces 436 PS and 490 Nm on the road, the V8 Vantage S manages 0-100 km/h in 4.5 seconds and reaches a top speed of 305 km/h. This sportiness is enhanced by its striking appearance, which took inspiration from the V12 Vantage, and the sensational sound from the engine, which comes thanks to the sports exhaust with active bypass valves which was specifically developed for this model.
The Vantage SP10 is the first V8 Vantage S to feature a six-speed manual transmission. This manual gearbox is offered as standard and, as with the V8 Vantage, will impress those who enjoy pure sports car driving.
Alternatively, customers can choose the optional Sportshift™ II automated manual seven-speed transmission that was developed for the introduction of the V8 Vantage S. This transmission allows for gear changes that are around 20% quicker than the previous transmission, which worked with six gears. This additional gear brings about shorter transmission ratios and optimum gear shifting. And the result: faster acceleration and a more sporty driving experience.
With the V8 Vantage S, Aston Martin has further closed the gap between road cars and racing cars. Like its role model, the Vantage GT4 racing car, it has an extremely rigid aluminium chassis – the ideal platform for a racing car but also the perfect basis for a sporty road car.
Impressive performance, dynamic driving characteristics and superb handling transform the V8 Vantage S, and thus the Vantage SP10, into a sports car that delivers a true ‘fun factor’ for enthusiast drivers of all kinds.
Design inspired by motorsport
The Vantage SP10 has a purposeful appearance that showcases its agility and performance and transfers the visual dynamics from motorsport to the road.
Both the Coupé and the Roadster are available in Ceramic Grey Metallic. The convertible top of the Roadster is Titan Grey. Its 19-inch cast alloy rims with V-shaped spokes in a diamond turn finish and painted in high-gloss black, and the black brake callipers, emphasise the muscular look of the car. The special paint on the rims is offered exclusively for the special Vantage SP10 model.
Other visual and functional details from the world of motorsport include the front splitter and the carbon rear diffuser – both come as part of the Vantage SP10 standard equipment, along with the clear rear lamps.
Black is the dominant colour in the vehicle interior. Entirely in line with its motorsport pedigree, the Coupé features characteristic Vantage S seat and backrest covers and a sports steering wheel in Black Alcantara. The silver stitching offers a strong contrast. And the interior is rounded off by a roof liner in Black Alcantara.
In contrast to the Coupé, the Roadster features black leather seat and backrest covers and a black leather steering wheel, also with silver stitching.
Both versions are equipped with a centre console in Piano Black. The instrument panel is trimmed entirely with leather and embellished with silver stitching.
Extensive combinations of features for more luxury and practicality
Like the V8 Vantage S, the Vantage SP10 is more than just a distinctive sports model. Thanks to its features, it will prove itself to be outstanding in everyday use.
Electrically operated seats, satellite navigation, cruise control and Bluetooth telephone preparation are just a few examples of the luxurious list of standard equipment that makes the Vantage SP10 a pleasant companion for everyday life. And with the 750W Premium Audio Sound System which is even part of the standard equipment in the Vantage SP10, music lovers can also make the most of this car.
The high-fidelity sound can be enhanced further by choosing the 1000W Bang & Olufsen BeoSound Audio System as an optional extra. This and other additional equipment features, such as a reversing camera, sports suspension (on the Coupé only) or lightweight carbon seats, guarantee even higher levels of comfort and luxury.
One particularly distinctive feature of this special model is a badge on the engine block that features the inscription “Aston Martin Vantage SP10” and which, of course, comes as standard.
Motorsport remains at the heart of Aston Martin – How it all began
At the start of the millennium, Aston Martin started to test its new road model on the Nürburgring because this famous racing track offers ideal conditions for extensive load and endurance tests. In 2005, shortly before the Aston Martin V8 Vantage was launched, the idea was born to develop a “close-to-production” racing car from this new sports car and, one year later, to bring it to the starting grid of the 24-hour race on the Nürburgring, otherwise known as the N24.
This first N24 racing car was christened “Rose” and, from its début in 2006, had successful appearances in the 24-hour race for the three following years.
In 2006, the International Automobile Federation decided to introduce a new racing class for “close-to-production” racing cars. This new class, named GT4, was initially launched in 2007 at the first FIA-GT4 race in Silverstone. Two Aston Martin Vantage N24 racing cars were on the starting grid and the two cars crossed the finish line in first and second place – a tremendous success.
This marked the start of the N24's triumphal march in this European race series and beyond the borders of Europe. In 2009, the Vantage N24 was replaced by the Vantage GT4 following an engine upgrade to 4.7 litres.
In the same year, the GT4 racing class was also introduced to the Nürburgring. Since the organiser of the 24-hour race worked with their own race classes, in addition to the existing classes of SP1 to 8 a new class for GT4 vehicles was created – SP10. Since then, Aston Martin factory teams and customer teams have regularly competed in the 24-hour race and in the VLN race series on the Nordschleife.
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.
With the exclusive new Vantage SP10, Aston Martin is acknowledging these GT4 success stories in this, its centenary year. The special edition is available as a Coupé or Roadster and is exclusively available in Europe (excluding Great Britain). The base price for the Aston Martin Vantage SP10 is €96,635 (plus VAT and local charges). It can be ordered now at all Aston Martin dealerships in Europe.
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