Porsche Sues Aston Martin Over GT3 Nameplate
Everyone wants to take a bite out of Porsche. It seems like every other day, another manufacturer is trying to replicate what the 911 is or does for the general buying public. It’s the benchmark of performance, and thus, it tends to spark rivalries left and right even if it never throws a punch.
However, there are some cases where Porsche does throw its weight around and it just so happens that Aston Martin was the one it was swinging at. A few months ago, Aston Martin debuted the all new Vantage GT3. It is set to be the most hard core, track weapon the company has ever produced. Limited to only a hundred cars total, the GT3 was set to take on the likes of the Porsche 911 GT3. However, here’s where things get interesting.
According to Porsche, the GT3 nameplate is strictly a Porsche naming scheme, and as such, Aston Martin don’t have the right to use it. Aston Martin of course called bull crap on this and counter Porsche’s suit stating that “GT3” only denotes a racing class and Porsche can essentially stick it where the sun don’t shine. However, backed by the might of the Volkswagen Group, Porsche was able to essentially outspend Aston Martin and get them to back off the name.
As of right now, Aston Martin has been forced to change the name of the Vantage GT3 to the Vantage GT12, which doesn’t exactly have the same ring to it. However, it’s unlikely any of the new owners will care so long as the car is epic to drive which we have no doubt it is.