Photo : Nicolas COUSSEAU - ACO/Nikon

Facing the Ferrari F430, 458 and Porsche 911, The Aston Martin Vantage embodies a British tradition of the aristocratic high-performance front engined GT.

''Vantage' is a name that began in the early fifties, and was originally applied to a more muscular version of the DB 2. This line continued in 1962 with the DB4 Vantage, and subsequently many models will benefit from improvements of this engine line: DB6, DB6 Mk II, and DBS. In 1977 the V8 Vantage was born, and in 1985 re-bodied by Zagato. In 1986, a special series of 27 examples was built, based on visual alterations requested on the model of the Prince of Wales.

Appearing in 2005, the current V8 Vantage takes the general shape of the DB9, including the front, which has become characteristic of recent Aston Martin cars. It has also been available as a convertible since 2009. Last January, a new version, dubbed V8 Vantage S, is equipped with an engine displacement increased from 4.3 to 4.7 litres, giving 430 hp. In endurance racing, it follows the DBR9, GT1 winner in the 24 Hours of Le Mans 2007 and 2008. Following the predicted demise of the class, the V8 Vantage was entered in LM GT2, that became GTE in 2011.

Jean-Philippe Doret

Photo: 1000 KM OF SILVERSTONE (Great Britain), 10-12 September 2010. The Aston Martin Vantage takes pole position in the GT2 class at the first race of the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup.