PRO ANNUAL 2018

road and race cars in parallel. Attention-to-detail has been a priority at every step of this process and we’ve made big improvements in each area of the car. We’ve spent every second optimising the design right up until the build of our test car, which has paid dividends during our current testing schedule. This project has been one of the most intensive, but also rewarding of my career so far.” In fact, development of the new Vantage GTE racecar is well advanced, with more than 13,000km of testing completed, including a successful 30-hour run at the Navarra circuit in Spain. The car has also been through a rigorous durability programme at the notoriously rough Sebring circuit in Florida, with all of AMR’s current drivers contributing to the test programme. AMR reports that reliability has been exceptional straight out of the box, while the drivers have reported the car is easier to control on the limit than its predecessor. Together with AMR’s engineers, the factory drivers have worked hard to optimise the drivability and performance of the base Mercedes-AMG 4.0-litre, turbocharged, V8 engine which has been developed for use in the Vantage GTE. Meanwhile, the in-house design team, led by Chief Creative Officer Marek Reichman, has taken its intimate knowledge of the road Vantage styling and amplified it for the WEC version. The result is an extreme, yet exciting evolution of an already aggressive road car design. Not surprisingly, the development of the Vantage GTE has seen AMR working with new technical partners, including Alcon for the braking system, Öhlins for the suspension and Michelin for a bespoke tyre programme to maximise the performance of the Vantage GTE. Meanwhile, the team has also confirmed that Total will continue as its official lubricant partner. Since joining the team at the beginning of 2016, AMR and Total have together delivered two world championships and a win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Not surprisingly with a new car to develop, AMR has kept its experienced and successful driver line-up. This year’s Le Mans GTE Pro class winners, Darren Turner and Jonny Adam, have been retained, as have the Danish duo and 2016 FIA WEC GTE Pro World Champions, Nicki Thiim and Marco Sørensen. In addition, AMR has recruited ex-GP2 race winner and now Formula E racer Alex Lynn. AMR is also expected to make further driver announcements soon. ASTON MARTIN 2018 VANTAGE GTE TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION ENGINE • Bespoke BorgWarner turbos with integrated electric wastegates • Akrapovič inconel exhaust system • Dry sump lubrication system • Engine repositioned to optimise mass • Distribution • Power >400 kW* • Torque >700 Nm* • Variable by boost DRIVELINE / TRANSMISSION • Rear wheel drive with traction control • Xtrac six speed sequential transmission • Alcon motorsport multi-plate clutch • Mechanical limited-slip differential with externally adjustable preload • Semi-automatic paddle shift gear change • Direct acting electric gear shift actuator • Carbon fibre propshaft CHASSIS • Lightweight aluminium chassis based on the latest Vantage production car • Steel roll cage to FIA safety standards • High speed pneumatic jack system SUSPENSION • Optimised geometry double wishbone suspension front and rear • Öhlins 5-way adjustable dampers • Adjustable anti-roll bars STEERING • Electro-hydraulic power assisted steering • Quick release carbon fibre steering wheel FUEL SYSTEM • 100 litre fuel cell to FIA safety standards • Single point fuel coupling BRAKES • Alcon monobloc six pot front calipers • Alcon ventilated wide annulus front brake discs • Alcon monobloc 4 pot rear calipers • Alcon ventilated rear brake discs • Integrated caliper temperature and pad wear sensors front and rear • Floor mounted driver adjustable pedal box • Driver adjustable front/rear brake bias COCKPIT • Optimised for driver access and visibility • RaceTech FIA 8862 safety seat • Schroth Six-point safety harness • Lifeline FIA 8865 fire extinguisher system • Cosworth driver display and shift lights • Rear view camera with Bosch collision avoidance radar system • Air conditioning • Electrically operated driver drinks system AERODYNAMICS / BODYWORK • Removable carbon-fibre body panels to FIA LMGTE regulations • Carbon fibre roof with regulation safety access hatch • Full length flat floor • Carbon fibre splitter and diffuser • Adjustable carbon fibre rear wing WHEELS • Front - TWS forged magnesium 12.5” x 18” • Rear - TWS forged magnesium 13.0” x 18” • Captive wheel nut design TYRES • Michelin 30/68 – 18 front • Michelin 31/71 – 18 rear WEIGHT • Dry weight 1245kg (regulated base weight) A D V A N T A G E O U S PRO ANNUAL 2018 56