To go along with the GT12:

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/aston-martin-vantage-gt8-revealed

Video:

http://www.cnet.com/roadshow/videos/...ise-to-thrill/

Extra 20 hp and 11 lb-ft over the standard 4.7L, or 10 hp and 0 lb-ft over the V8VS/V8VGT.
"Up to" 100 kg (220 lbs) lighter than a standard V8V.
150 units, supposedly all sold out. Split between Europe and Asia, none for North America.
160k GBP plus options.

 

I seem to remember reading that Aston finished up their allotment of Vantages for the US with the GTS limited run-out. So until the new body style, with US crash certification is ready we will not see any more Vantages here.

 

And a further problem with NA is that we've never been able to get the lightweight seats, as they don't have side airbags (thank you, Big Brother, for protecting me ). What would be the point of a GT12 or a GT8 with the heavy 'sports' seats? Here's hoping Aston have kept NA regulations in mind when designing their new model range, so that we don't get cheated in the future!

 

^^^ I agree, Porsche, and to a slightly lesser degree BMW, have been very good at including the US in their limited run cars. I hope AM does the same going forward.

 

Much better pictures of the GT8
http://www.topgear.com/car-news/firs...in-vantage-gt8

 

Massive ripoff, but it is a gorgeous car all with very underpowered. Whether or not it actually retains its coleector value is yet to be seen, but as far as aero is concerned it is a very impressive platform, love the center lock wheels

 

Very underpowered? Compared to what?

440 hp and 361 ft-lb isn't anything to snuff at when your car weighs less than 3400 lbs, especially when all that weight is concentrated low and center. I don't think people realize how much of a penalty weight really is...

 

Not impressed. Agree with 007 - it may be pretty but it is overpriced for what you are getting, and yes, it is underpowered and still overweight when compared to, say, a GT3 or GT3-RS.

If Aston wants to claim they have such a focused car and demand such a hefty price premium, they should remember that they are straying into a segment where their traditional appeal and 'advantage' over the competition may no longer be as important as outright performance. In that arena, Aston's offerings are significantly more expensive, and on a track I doubt they would see which way the Porsches went.

 

The Porsche comparison can be said for just about any car in this price range. But Aston has already sold out its entire 250 unit (combined) run of the GT8 and GT12, so at least enough customers have found the car and its price worthwhile. And even if the price wasn't justifiable now, there are only 250 GT8/GT12s while there are a few thousand GT3/GT3RSs.

Personally, I don't even like the styling of the GT8 or GT12, aside from the hood on the GT12. Unless someone wants to get either one for a specific reason (personal interest, potential investment, etc), I'd take a standard car and modify it to meet or beat the GT8/12's specs.