Aston Martin released a rendering of the Vantage GT2 race car last month and now we have the official photos to share. The Vantage GT2 isn't quite as sexy as its roadgoing cousin, but it does look menacing in the Gulf colors.
Aston Martin built the Vantage GT2 with the American Le Mans Series in mind and thus the Vantage GT2 can burn E85 or regular racing fuel. The E85 know-how came from the DBRS9 that Aston Martin converted to run on E85. The ALMS is trying to utilize as many alternative fuels as possible, and it's easiest to convert a conventional gas engine to run on E85.
The V-8 engine found in the Vantage GT2 is based on the aluminum alloy, 4.3-liter V-8 found in the standard Aston Marin V8 Vantage. Horsepower is expected to be around 480, which is a 100 hp improvement over the road car.
Look for Aston Martin to compete in every GT class for both the European FIA GT series and the ALMS series here in the States. The main competition for the Vantage GT2 is the venerable Porsche 997 GT3 RSR, but there will also be Ferrari F430 GT2s and Dodge Viper GTSRs gunning for the Vantage GT2 on the track this season. The other teams don't have Dave Richards, head of Prodrive Racing and chairman of Aston Martin, to consult with, so Aston may have a leg up on the competition.