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Aston Martin GT8 is lightest and most powerful V8 Vantage ever

Aston Martin has revealed the upcoming GT8 variant, a race-inspired limited edition much like the earlier GT12. Only 150 will be built – 50 more than the 12-cylinder sibling. And like the GT12, none of those will be coming to North America, either. The car has already been offered to select customers, with a sketch depicting the car but without finalized photos, as the manufacturer wanted to keep the car under wraps until the unveiling. As the GT12 uses the six-liter V12 engine, the GT8 is based on the Vantage V8 and uses a 4.7-liter powerplant with 446 horsepower, a slight hike from the regular car's output. The bodywork has been made out of carbon fiber, granting it the title of being the lightest and most powerful V8 Vantage built. According to Aston Martin, all the bodywork is race-bred and not just there for show. Aston's Director of Special Projects and Motorsport, David King says that Aston Martin has "long desired to create a road car that truly reflects our racing activity at Le Mans", and that the GT8 achieves that. View 13 Photos Regarding the choice of transmission, the GT8 follows in the footsteps of the GT12 – either a six-speed manual or the seven-speed Sportshift II paddle-shift, whichever seems to suit the buyer of the motorsport-themed car. The buyer can also decide on optional weight saving measures, as the roof is also available in carbon fiber and the side and rear windows in polycarbonate. Still, there are A/C and audio systems to make the limited edition car a little more bearable than its racing counterparts. There are three optional "Halo" paint schemes to choose from, combining China Grey with blue, Stratus White with green and Stirling Green with lime detailing, the last of which is seen in these press images. Prices start from GBP165,000 ($233,880) and deliveries commence in late 2016. Related Video: News Source: Aston MartinImage Credit: Aston Martin Aston Martin Coupe Racing Vehicles Special and Limited Editions Supercars Videos vantage v8

Here's what Top Gear thinks of the Aston Martin Vulcan

With a limited run of just 24 units, the Aston Martin Vulcan isn't an easy vehicle to get your hands on. Even if you find one, the next challenge is locating a suitable track to drive it because these rare beasts aren't street legal. Top Gear (the website, not the TV show) arranged both and reported on the amazing experience of driving this rare hypercar in must-read story. Top Gear lapped the Vulcan around the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix circuit and came away thoroughly impressed. The author admits that the McLaren P1 GTR has a greater output, but driving the Aston Martin is still an incredibly visceral experience. Downshifts judder through the chassis, flames shoot from the side pipes, and the 820-horsepower V12 screams. "Five laps and I'm spent – I start to get a headache, I need to drink, sweat gathers, ears ring," the writer says. The Vulcan trains its handful of wealthy owners to be racers, but the interior still cossets them in Aston Martin's traditional luxury. As they learn the car, drivers can turn the power up from 550 hp, 675 hp, and to the full 820 hp when they feel ready. The suspension is also fully adjustable. So there's a touch of understeer out of the box, but a person can mitigate that as they gain experience. Plus, the writer claims the cabin fit and finish is marvelous. Head over to Top Gear to get the full story, it's well worth a read. Related Video:

Drive an Aston Martin | The List #0568

Few cars can drum up feelings of intrigue like an Aston Martin. On this episode of The List, hosts Jessi Combs and Patrick McIntyre travel to England, the birthplace of Aston Martin, to drive the V12 Vanquish and learn more about this luxurious brand. From exploring narrow country roads to braving a rain storm on the track, we put this beautiful British sports car to the test. The 2016 V12 Vanquish is a sight to behold no matter the road, but there's something special about driving it around England. We visited the Aston Martin Works in Newport Pagnell, the site of an Aston factory from 1954 - 2007, to learn more about the brand's past. From the DB4 all the way to the Vanquish, the beauty of these hand-built machines has stayed consistent throughout their history. After admiring the classics, it was time to push the shiny new Vanquish to its limits on the track. Fighting through intermittent rain didn't make it easy. "Getting a little squirrelly for sure," said a visibly excited Patrick. "Too much. Way too much on that one." When it was Jessi's turn, her self-proclaimed lead foot actually led her to an interesting conclusion about the vehicle. Because of the subpar track conditions and because the car is in fact a grand tourer, Jessi actually makes that claim that "I think I'd rather have it out on the open road." Regardless of environment or driving conditions, it's certain that the Vanquish is an incredibly impressive machine. Perhaps most importantly, it helped us check "Drive An Aston Martin" off of our List. Click here to find more episodes of The List Click here to learn more about our hosts, Jessi and Patrick Aston Martin Luxury Performance Supercars The List Videos Original Video aston martin vanquish