The prestigious Aston Martin has announced the latest iteration in its formidable GT racing lineage: the 2024 Aston Martin Vantage GT4. Following closely on the heels of the acclaimed new Vantage road car and the groundbreaking Vantage GT3 race car, this new GT4 model completes Aston Martin’s comprehensive motorsport offering for the 2024 season. Designed for partner racing teams and passionate driving enthusiasts, the 2024 Aston Martin Vantage GT4 is poised to build upon the already impressive legacy of its predecessor, bringing cutting-edge performance and technology to the competitive world of GT4 racing.
Built by Aston Martin Racing (AMR), the brand’s dedicated GT racing partner since 2005, the 2024 Aston Martin Vantage GT4 benefits from the same rigorous development process and technical partnerships as the Vantage GT3. This synergy between road and race car programs is a hallmark of Aston Martin’s approach, ensuring that technology and performance enhancements seamlessly translate from the road to the track. Marco Mattiacci, Chief Brand and Commercial Officer at Aston Martin Lagonda, emphasizes this point: “The new Vantage GT4 is a born winner, demonstrating the increasing synergies between our road and race car programs. Class-leading power and technology on the road directly translate into race-winning pace on the track.” This close relationship ensures that the 2024 Aston Martin Vantage GT4 is not just a race car, but a direct extension of Aston Martin’s road car excellence.
Performance and Technological Advancements in the 2024 Vantage GT4
The 2024 Aston Martin Vantage GT4 is not merely a cosmetic update; it represents a significant leap forward in performance and technology. Leveraging the advancements introduced in the new Vantage road car, this GT4 racer boasts improvements across several key areas, including chassis dynamics, aerodynamics, drivetrain efficiency, and cooling systems. These enhancements are meticulously engineered to maximize accessible performance and instill driver confidence, making the 2024 Aston Martin Vantage GT4 a formidable contender in its class.
Adam Carter, Aston Martin’s Head of Endurance Motorsport, describes the new car as “very much an evolution of the previous car,” highlighting the strategic approach of building upon a proven platform. The 2024 Aston Martin Vantage GT4 retains the core strengths of its predecessor while integrating crucial upgrades derived from the road car program. This evolutionary approach ensures reliability and familiarity for teams, while simultaneously delivering a more competitive package.
Chassis and Suspension Refinements
The foundation of the 2024 Aston Martin Vantage GT4 remains the bonded aluminum chassis of the road car, a testament to its inherent rigidity and lightweight properties. This structure is augmented with a custom roll cage, essential for meeting stringent safety regulations in motorsport. While the inboard suspension mounting points are carried over from the road car, the 2024 Aston Martin Vantage GT4 features revised suspension linkages. These modifications are crucial for achieving the optimal camber range required for racing applications and accommodating the mandated 18-inch racing wheels and tires, a downsize from the 21-inch wheels found on the road-going Vantage. The 2024 Aston Martin Vantage GT4 also features bespoke forged aluminum wheels designed to AMR’s precise specifications, further reducing unsprung weight and enhancing handling.
A key upgrade in the dynamic package is the inclusion of new two-way adjustable KW dampers. This partnership with KW Suspension, a renowned name in motorsport suspension technology, ensures that the 2024 Aston Martin Vantage GT4 benefits from state-of-the-art damping control. These adjustable dampers, developed based on extensive driver feedback, contribute to a heightened sense of precision and control, allowing drivers to confidently push the car to its limits.
Powertrain and Electronics Optimization
Under the hood, the 2024 Aston Martin Vantage GT4 retains the robust 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine and transmission from the road car. However, significant changes are implemented in the electronic control systems to optimize performance for racing conditions and adhere to GT4 regulations. The engine now utilizes a Bosch Motorsport ECU with custom software developed by AMR, providing precise engine management and turbo control. Similarly, the production-standard eight-speed automatic transmission is managed by ZF/AMR Motorsport software, effectively converting it into a six-speed paddle-shift system without an automatic mode. This modification locks out the seventh and eighth gears, which are overdrive ratios designed for fuel economy in road-going applications, and prioritizes gear ratios optimized for track performance.
These electronic modifications are primarily aimed at ensuring precise control for Balance of Performance (BoP) adjustments mandated by GT4 championship organizers. They also optimize gearshifts and enable motorsport-specific traction control, crucial for maximizing performance and driver control on the track. The cockpit of the 2024 Aston Martin Vantage GT4 is also equipped with the latest Bosch DDU11 display, replacing the road car’s instrument cluster and providing drivers with essential real-time data and vehicle information.
Aerodynamic Enhancements and Design
Visually, the 2024 Aston Martin Vantage GT4 closely mirrors the striking design of the new Vantage road car. Aerodynamic modifications, while limited by regulations, have been carefully optimized using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis. Aston Martin’s Design department played a key role in seamlessly integrating these changes into the overall aesthetic of the car.
While most of the body panels are shared with the production car, the 2024 Aston Martin Vantage GT4 features a unique bonnet made from a sustainable natural flax fiber composite with a cork core. This lightweight and environmentally conscious material choice also allows for the incorporation of air outlets, improving cooling efficiency. Aerodynamic upgrades permitted by GT4 regulations include a larger front splitter and a new rear wing. These additions collectively result in increased downforce and reduced drag compared to the previous Vantage GT4, enhancing both cornering grip and straight-line speed.
Attention to detail extends to airflow management, particularly for engine and brake cooling. The larger radiator aperture of the new Vantage road car design allows for greater airflow through the engine cooling system. Significant improvements have also been made to brake cooling through enhanced ducting. Importantly, these cooling enhancements are achieved without negatively impacting airflow over the rear wing, maintaining aerodynamic efficiency.
Racing Debut and Legacy
The 2024 Aston Martin Vantage GT4 has already made its international racing debut at the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge event during the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona in February 2024. Production is currently underway, with customer teams already receiving their cars and AMR fulfilling orders for over 40 units for the 2024 season.
The Aston Martin Vantage GT4 lineage has a long and successful history in GT racing. Since its introduction in 2009, the Vantage GT4 has consistently achieved class wins in GT series and endurance races worldwide. The outgoing generation of Vantage GT4, launched in 2018, further solidified this reputation, becoming a popular choice for teams across various international and national racing series, club events, and track days.
The 2024 Aston Martin Vantage GT4 is poised to continue this legacy, offering professional racers and amateur enthusiasts alike a fast, reliable, and user-friendly platform to compete for victory. With its blend of cutting-edge technology, refined performance, and inherent Aston Martin racing DNA, the 2024 Aston Martin Vantage GT4 is set to redefine excellence in GT4 racing for years to come.
