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Aston Martin confirms today the specification of the 2012 Vantage GT3 race car. As the natural successor to the enormously successful DBRS9, the new Vantage GT3 will offer customers the latest in race-car technology to ensure the Vantage GT3 has the credentials to compete with the most recent new product offerings from other manufacturers.



The Vantage GT3 features a modified version of Aston Martin’s production 6.0 litre V12 engine found in the marque’s highly acclaimed sports cars. The dry-sumped engine is expected to produce 600 bhp with 700 Nm of torque and its position has been optimised further to improve weight balance. A carbon fibre propshaft mates the engine to a Xtrac 6 speed sequential transmission with semi-automatic paddle shift gear change.







The Vantage GT3 benefits from Aston Martin’s V/H architecture philosophy, the modular chassis uses aerospace bonding techniques to create a light and immensely stiff aluminium and composite structure which not only aids handling on Aston Martin’s road cars but is also an ideal base for competitive race cars.



Most dramatic of all, are the new aerodynamics, contributing to a muscular and purposeful stance while maintaining the overall beauty of the V12 Vantage. The shorter wheel base and lower engine position over its predecessor will contribute to enhanced handling and performance. The new car will also provide enhanced driveability with the latest race-developed ABS and Traction Control systems which are fitted to the V12 Vantage GT3 as standard.



The Vantage GT3 will be eligible for numerous race series around the world including the FIA GT3 Championship, ADAC Masters, Nürburgring VLN, Blancpain Endurance Series, British GT, Belcar and Open GT among others.



Aston Martin remains the only manufacturer to offer a race car for every GT class firmly cementing it as a global forerunner in race car production. The new Vantage GT3 is being developed to replicate and indeed surpass the superb track record of the DBRS9.



Aston Martin has sold 24 DBRS9s and customer teams have accumulated many race podiums and victories over the past six years including 2009 Winner Teams Championship, and Winner Manufacturers Championship for Hexis Racing and as recently as a 2011 GT Open race win at Spa for Villois Racing.



Testing of the new car will commence in October, where the Vantage GT3 will undergo a comprehensive sign-off durability test including a 10,000 km test programme. Deliveries of the first cars will commence in early 2012. Prices start from £298,000.



The V12 Vantage road car was launched in 2009 and is the fastest and most agile Vantage ever; it is the ultimate performance interpretation of the Vantage range. Featuring the marque’s 6.0 litre V12 engine producing 510 bhp, it combines muscular power with purposeful, striking and functional styling hinting at its performance capabilities. The V12 Vantage fuses race-derived technology with the everyday usability associated with a modern Aston Martin.





V12 Vantage GT3 Specification



Engine

- Lightweight V12

- Dry sump oil system

- Engine repositioned to optimise weight distribution

- Target power 600 bhp

- Target torque 700 Nm



Transmission

- Xtrac 6 speed sequential transmission

- Racing clutch

- Limited slip ramp/plate differential

- Easily accessible drop gears

- Semi-automatic paddle shift gear change

- Carbon fibre propshaft



Chassis

- Lightweight aluminium chassis

- Steel roll cage to FIA safety standards

- High speed pneumatic jack system



Steering

- Hydraulic power assisted steering

- Quick release steering wheel



Suspension

- Double wishbone suspension arms front and rear with uniball bearings

- 2-way adjustable dampers front and rear

- Optimsed geometry for lower race ride height



Fuel system

- 110 litre fuel cell to FIA safety standards

- Twin quick release couplings

- Fuel cell location optimised for performance and safety (behind the driver’s seat, inside the safety roll cage)



Brakes

- 6 pot front calipers

- Ventilated front brake disc

- 4 pot rear caliper

- Ventilated rear brake disc

- Floor mounted pedal box

- Manually adjustable front/rear brake bias

- Adjustable motorsport ABS



Wheels

- 12.5" x 18" front

- 13" x 18" rear



Tyres

- Front 30/68-18

- Rear 31/71-18



Cockpit

- Steering wheel mounted controls

- Driver display / data logger / shift lights / beacon

- 6-point safety harness

- Adjustable steering position

- Adjustable seat position

- Adjustable pedal box position

- Light weight battery

- Carbon fibre dash

- Fire extinguisher system



Aerodynamics

- Front splitter

- Adjustable full width carbon fibre rear wing



- Aerodynamically optimised bumpers, fenders and sills



Weight

- Target dry weight 1250kg



| Aston Martin

Dear friends,

I really hope you had a merry little Christmas and a kick arse New Year! :) I know I had and I know I was happy to have people I love around me. Now you know all about our first Christmas as a Family so now you will know more about our first New Years Eve. We did not know what we will do until the last moment and our plans were a bit vague... we knew that we wanted to go for the first time in the Main Square to see the fireworks, that was for sure! But except that we knew nothing. A day before New Years Eve I did some small food treats - the kabanos/cheese/olive on a stick thingies ;) - just to make sure we will have something in case I would be tired after work the next day. Yes! Thats right! I worked on New Years Eve until 4:30 pm, my friends ;) But I did have 1st of January off :)
Be at War with your Vices, at Peace with your Neighbours, and let every New-Year find you a better Man.  ~Quoted in Benjamin Franklins 1755 Poor Richards Almanac, December
Many years ago I resolved never to bother with New Years resolutions, and Ive stuck with it ever since.  ~Dave Beard
We did invite a few friends over for New Years Eve in case they did not have other plans - my little baby Kasia, my bigger baby Kasia and her boyfriend the terribilistic Silviu :p At a certain point we thought that we would spend the night together, just the two of us, but at around 6 we got a message from big Kasia telling us that they will be at our place at around 9 p.m. :) and that was a nice surprise. Kasia wore a gorgeous black drass that fitted her nicely - I am proud of my girl! She is pretty and smart <3 - and Silviu came in a black shirt and froze to death the whole while we were out for the fireworks - being too stubborn to close the jacket :p but I must admit that he was looking pretty nice ;) I particulary liked the feather t-shirt he had underneath!
We met small baby Kasia next to the Slowacki Theater and she was wearing small red devil horns that you could see miles away :) She is a adorable and cheerful and fun friend of mine. She has so much energy bottled up in her that she can turn into a tornado in an instant and I love her for that :* Both my babies - big and small Kasia - are in a way similar to us - me and Marek. I am proud and happy to call them my friends and I know that their hearts are good and they are not afraid to speak their mind. I believe the best policy in life is to be honest to yourself and the people around you. Be your best version of yourself!
The plan for the New Years Eve was to see the fireworks. In my over 3 years of being here I never managed to see fireworks in Krakow. The first New Year in Poland I spent it with friends in a pub/club where one of my friends/ex Team Leader was a DJ. And trust me, that was a kick arse party!!! The second year - last year - we went for the holidays: Christmas + New Year to Romania and spent the time home and with my family. New Years was done at my aunts place and it was warm and cozy and fun to be with family again and we got to watch the fireworks from a distance from my aunts balcony. You can check my fav pic from last year in my post here ;) Now this year we really did try to see the fireworks...
We went to Main Square, next to Sukienicce, on the side with Saint Mary Church... the other side was so packed with people you could not drop a pin! Not to mention that the main stage was located there! So we patienctly awaited until 11:45 for the fireworks... when we figured out that due to the fog and the lights placed for the New Year Show will not allow us to see a thing! (just check out the pictures, click on them and you will understand...) So we had a last minute change of plans and figured we should try to get to a higher ground - let us say Vistula or the Wawel Castle... Now you have to understand that 15 min is about enough to get you to the Castle if the roads are not full of carriages and people (not to mention drunk people or people putting fireworks!) so this was quite a challenge! But we made it ;) Unfortunately the fog was so thick you could cut it with a knife! (not to mention that Krakow is foggy by itself and one of the most poluted cities in Poland! + the smoke from fireworks and firecrackers did not help either!) We hardly got to see any fireworks... and the pictures I managed to take of the fireworks are so foggy that I will not even diminish my hard drive space with them...
Saying goodbye to 2013 and saying hello to 2014 was fun though :) We hugged and kissed and drank champagne directly out of the bottle ;))) (I cannot remember when I did that the last time!) We tried to watch fireworks, we had a walk along Vistula lighting firecrackers... and eventually we had a long walk home and wondered upon the mess people can leave after a huge party in the Main Square... I think some people think that is way too overrated to actually clean after themselves after a party... Before going to the Main Square I was told by multiple kind friends to take care not to get hit by a bottle in my head... now I understand why! And I am happy to say I survived without being hit ;)

Yours truly,
A LadyBug With High Hopes For The New Year

Hi, there. Have you got married? If you have got married, do you have a home stay? Are you confused looking for a home stay? Do you want to look for an apartment? In this posting, I will inspire you about an apartment design for young family. It is suitable for young family. Are you curious? Let’s check these pictures.

Living room is designed with grey theme. The sofa looks so charming with grey theme with grey rug also. The cozy nuance can be presented with a round wooden table in the middle of this sofa. If you are young family, it is suitable if placing some beautiful paintings such as some photographs attached on the white wall. Can you see a mirror there? It is designed in aslant style. Not too close from here, there is a dining area with minimalist design.

The wooden dining set is exposed on white glossy floor. The dining set such the table and some chairs are just so simple, but the presence of beautiful flowers on the dining table makes an awesome nuance. The kitchen is located near the dining area with some sophisticated dining set and cutlery. Look at this picture. There is a mirror in the middle of kitchen cabinet. The sink with metal faucet looks so fancy. There are some plants in the kitchen cabinet.

Do you feel it? It generates fresh atmosphere. How about the pendant lamp? There is a glamor pendant lamp with overcast lighting give charming nuance. Most of modern design in this apartment is suitable for young family.Read more »