Aston Martin has formally revealed the 2024 Vantage GT4, an all-new race car based on the new road-going Vantage model that was launched earlier this month.
The new car continues Aston Martin’s longstanding commitment to the GT4 ruleset which dates back to 2009 with the first customer-based Vantage GT4, until the outgoing model was introduced in 2018. (The first GT4 homologated Aston was the ‘N24’ in 2007, which was replaced later by the Vantage GT4.)
It has already made its global race debut, taking part in the Michelin Pilot Challenge season opener at Daytona with Rebel Rock Racing back in January.
In the four-hour contest, the car, which was used as the brand’s test car prior to the race, achieved a top 10 finish in the GS class.
Its unveiling follows the debut of the new GT3 Vantage and features what Aston Martin describes as “a host of chassis, aerodynamic, drivetrain and efficiency improvements.”
“Closer synergies between Aston Martin’s road and race car programmes have enabled AMR to capitalise upon improvements made to the new Vantage road car for increased speed and efficiency,” explains Aston Martin’s head of endurance motorsport, Adam Carter, “while retaining the core qualities that made the outgoing GT4 so popular with teams and drivers.”
Unlike the 2024 GT3 Vantage, which is an evolution of the previous-gen model with the same power unit, the new GT4 is an all-new car from Aston Martin Racing. This means that customers with the outgoing model cannot make use of an upgrade kit.
It is built around a new 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine and transmission, both based on the Vantage road car components.
As a whole, the car shares around 80 per cent of the road car’s structural and mechanical architecture. Central to this is its bonded aluminium chassis, fitted with a full custom roll cage to comply with stringent safety requirements before the bodywork is attached.
“The new Vantage GT4 is a born winner,” said the chief brand and commercial officer of Aston Martin Lagonda, Marco Mattiacci.
“Benefitting from the significant performance improvements seen in the sensational new Vantage road car, and developed in parallel with the Vantage GT3, the Vantage GT4 is a demonstration of the increasing synergies between our road and race car programmes; class-leading power and technology on the road translating into race-winning pace on the track.
“The introduction of the new Vantage GT4 also allows us to build an even deeper connection to Aston Martin’s partner teams. We currently have more than 40 partners in active competition across the broad spectrum of global GT racing, many of whom are running multi-car, multi-class programmes.
“This level of engagement underlines our commitment to all levels of motorsport competition as well as building closer ties with our wider community of fans and followers, many of whom fell in love with the brand through our successes in sportscar racing and at Le Mans.”
Compared to the road car the primary changes are to the electronic control systems of the engine and transmission; the former running a Bosch Motorsport ECU with bespoke software developed by AMR; the latter installed with ZF/AMR Motorsport software to control the otherwise production standard automatic transmission.
Aston Martin says the changes to the electronic systems have been made primarily “to ensure precise control of the engine’s management and turbo control systems to meet strict Balance of Performance criteria defined by GT4 championship organisers” and “optimise gearshifts and run motorsport-specific traction control.” The Vantage GT4 cockpit also features the latest Bosch BDU 11 display, which replaces the road car’s instrument visuals.
There are chassis modifications too, driven by regulations. Inboard suspension mounting points remain the same as the production road car’s, with some permitted changes to suspension linkages. This is to provide the correct camber range for a racing application and to suit the mandated 18” diameter wheel and tyre package, which is significantly smaller than the 21” wheels fitted to the new road car.
The majority of the Vantage GT4’s body panels are standard production items. The exception is the bonnet, which allows for the incorporation of air outlets and is made from a sustainable natural flax fibre composite, with stiffening via a cork core material.
Minor aerodynamic changes to fit GT4 regulations include a larger front splitter and the addition of a new rear wing. The result, Aston Martin says, is an increase in downforce and a reduction in drag compared to the previous Vantage GT4.
Finally, attention has also been paid to airflow management, specifically cooling air to the engine and brakes. The larger radiator incorporated into the design of the new Vantage allows for a greater mass of air flowing through the engine’s cooling system.
The car’s order book is full and production is now well underway, with a number of cars already in the hands of customer teams. AMR is currently fulfilling orders for more than 40 units during the 2024 season.
While the car was first seen racing in the USA, AMR’s commercial director Huw Tasker told DSC that the car will be more visible in Europe during its first year of competition. However, the number of cars racing in the USA is expected to increase substantially in year two for the car.
“I expect the vast majority of SRO US GT4 cars will be the previous-gen car, which remains super competitive, then 2025 will be the year in America where you will see much bigger take-up and adoption,” he said.
“This is purely a function of what’s possible with a race car that shares so many components with a road car, that has launched alongside it.”
Images courtesy of Aston Martin
