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Aston Martin Vantage GT8 spied looking all fast on the 'Ring

Aston Martin keeps rolling out new versions of its long-serving Vantage, and we keep not complaining. This latest piece, spotted on the Nurburgring, looks particularly mean in matte black with a nice big wing on the back. We believe it to be the anticipated Vantage GT8, which should be the ultimate version of the V8 Vantage. The GT8 will follow in the footsteps of the Vantage GT12; its smaller engine should pack less of a punch, but the car will be lighter in the nose a V12 Vantage, which should help handling balance. Expect the 4.7-liter V8 to be retuned to produce more power than it has in any other Vantage: currently, the top V8 Vantage tops out at 430 horsepower, and we wouldn't be surprised to see the GT8 boast more like 450. That would still leave plenty of breathing room to the V12 models that start at 565. The aero package looks similar to the GT12's aggressive setup but incorporates several changes, including fewer cooling ducts and a reshaped front splitter, rear wing, and diffuser. Expect the interior to come stripped out like the GT12's. This top V8 Vatage ought to make a fine swan song for the eleven-year-old model line before its AMG-powered, turbocharged successor arrives. But don't expect to see too many of them – sources anticipate just 150 examples to be built, which is more than the 100 units of the GT12, but will still make this a rare bird indeed. Related Video:

Aston Martin's AM-RB 001 hypercar headlines the Canadian Auto Show

We've been hearing about the Aston Martin Red Bull AM-RB 001 for the better part of a year, and Thursday morning Aston revealed the imposing hypercar for the first time at an auto show. Kicking off the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto, Aston chief executive Andy Palmer called it "the defining hypercar of this decade and a hugely desirable investment for collectors and enthusiasts," according to a statement. The reveal comes the day after Aston highlighted its technical partners for the hypercar, which is being developed in tandem with Red Bull Advanced Technologies. The AM-RB 001's debut comes not far from the base of Canadian motorsports expert and auto supplier Multimatic, which will make the carbon-fiber MonoCell for the hypercar. Aston also said Wednesday that Cosworth will produce the naturally aspirated V12 engine, Rimac will make the battery for the electric motor, and Ricardo will supply the seven-speed gearbox. Aston said the "original full-sized model" of the AM-RB 001 will be on display in Toronto alongside the company's other spotlight car from last year, the DB11. .@astonmartin's Dr. Andy Palmer (@AndyatAston) kicks off Media Day at #CIAS2017 unveiling the #AMRB001. #AstonMartin pic.twitter.com/R2Frr83xc6 — Canadian AutoShow (@autoshowcanada) February 16, 2017 Related Video:

Motor Trend pits Aston V12 Vantage S against Jaguar XKR-S GT in battle of the Brits

With the recent increase in higher-performance versions of already high-performance vehicles, like Mercedes-Benz and its AMG Black Series, the public is now gaining even greater access to speed and maneuverability. Two of the most recent sports cars to get their wicks turned up include the Jaguar XKR-S GT and the Aston Martin V12 Vantage S.
Both of these cars are the pinnacles of their lines, with the Jag lording over the XKR-S, XKR and XK while the Aston rules over the standard V8 Vantage S and V8 Vantage. Motor Trend has opted to pit the two rivals together for some thorough testing, and it just happened to bring along a few video cameras to capture all the action.
There's nearly 19 minutes of super hot sports car action below, so scroll down and enjoy.