Sneak Peek: Daytona Unveils the Long-Awaited Aston Martin Vantage

Unveiling the new Vantage GT3: February 12 debut with an exhilarating race at Daytona without disguise

If you tuned in to watch the 2024 Rolex 24 at Daytona this past weekend, it’s possible that you caught a glimpse of three vehicles zooming around the track that haven’t officially been released to the public. Despite not being unveiled yet, the upcoming Aston Martin Vantage made its presence known by participating in the famous endurance race with three GT3 models. These cars were competing right before our eyes, giving us a sneak peek at what’s to come.

Aston Martin has not explicitly announced it, however, pictures of their three race cars in motion undeniably reveal the updated front end. The most notable feature giving it away are the headlights, which are evidently enlarged and still partially hidden upon closer inspection. This aligns with the previously leaked photos of camouflaged prototypes on the streets, as well as the increased size of the grille.

The extensive consumption serves the dual-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8, although the precise power output is uncertain. In accordance with GT3 standards, the engine must produce between 500 and 600 horsepower. It can be assumed that the race car will have the maximum allowed power, given that the V8 is fully capable of reaching it. In its standard production model, the DB12 yields a whopping 671 hp, but the primary concern is how much power will be allotted for the new street version of the Vantage. The answer will most likely be revealed on February 12.

When discussing the street version of the car, it is clear that there are noticeable differences in its exterior compared to the GT3 model. For instance, the large side mirrors with lengthy arms are not final for production, but they closely resemble what we have seen on prototypes. The huge GT3 wing will also not be present, and it is reasonable to assume that the exhaust for the V8 engine will not exit behind the front wheel. However, the Vantage designed for street use will still possess a significantly wide body. Spy shots reveal a bold flaring of the fenders, a feature that was emphasized in the teaser photo released earlier today.

Interestingly, Aston Martin was highly engaged on social media throughout the race, although they were cautious about revealing a clear photo of the front of their car. However, this was rectified by The Advantage on X, who shared several photographs capturing a detailed and crisp view of Aston’s updated nose design.

The latest debut of Aston Martin, the Vantage GT3, put on an impressive performance at the Daytona race. With a total of three cars competing, the team took charge of the GTD Pro class for a brief period of time, but ultimately fell short of securing a podium spot. The no. 23 car fought hard and finished in fourth place. The Ferrari 296 by Risi Competizione emerged as the champion, with AO Racing’s Porsche 911 closely behind in second place, and Paul Miller Racing’s BMW M4 rounding out the top three.