- Aston Martin is developing a hardcore Vantage aimed squarely at the Porsche 911 GT3.
- The Vantage could pack more than 700 horsepower from its twin-turbo V8.
- A huge rear wing, aggressive splitter, vented fenders, and a revised diffuser point to a track-focused Vantage.
The closest thing Aston Martin has ever had to a true Porsche 911 rival is the latest Vantage. Not only does it look great, but it has the dynamics to keep up with Stuttgart’s finest. But if Aston really wants a 911 rival, it needs something that can keep up with Porsche’s most potent model: the GT3.
That’s where this prototype comes in. Captured testing on the Nürburgring by the good folks at CarSpyMedia, the Vantage in question has a boatload of aerodynamic upgrades and hopefully boatloads of power under the hood, too.
Expected to sit above the recently introduced Vantage S in Aston Martin’s lineup, it could finally serve as the company’s answer to cars like the Porsche 911 GT3. Aston Martin hasn’t confirmed the name or specifications yet, but the prototype suggests this won’t be a mild performance upgrade.
Upgraded Aero Everywhere
Up front, the Vantage prototype wears a significantly larger splitter with aerodynamic elements extending out to its outer edges. The grille has also been redesigned, while the front fenders have bigger vents designed to help extract air from the wheel wells.
The side skirts are wider, and the rear wing is… something. The Vantage prototype features a huge fixed wing mounted high on the rear deck, with large endplates and a design that appears to draw inspiration from Aston Martin’s more extreme Valkyrie-based hypercar.
There’s also a substantially revised rear diffuser. Four exhaust outlets are positioned together in the center rather than the two-per-side arrangement used by the regular Vantage. It’s a pretty dramatic departure from the standard Vantage.
Expect More Than 700 Horsepower
We still don’t have specifics on the powertrain, but the current Vantage and Vantage S models offer a decent reference point. The S uses Mercedes-AMG’s twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8, making 670 horsepower. The regular Vantage makes 656 hp.
Aston Martin is expected to extract even more power for this model, with reports suggesting well over 700 hp. And if you’re wondering—no, we don’t expect it to have a V12. The V8 still makes more sense, especially for a car designed to compete with lightweight, track-focused sports cars like the 911 GT3.
Could It Get A Manual?
While a V12 seems unlikely, we won’t rule out a manual just yet. Aston Martin CEO Adrian Hallmark has considered bringing manuals back to the lineup, and the company already offered a seven-speed manual in the previous-generation Vantage AMR.
There’s no confirmation that this Vantage will actually get one, but a manual would make sense for a car positioned as a driver-focused alternative to the 911 GT3.
Aston Martin hasn’t announced a reveal date, but the latest prototype appears to be wearing much closer to production-intent bodywork than some of the earlier test cars. If we’re lucky, it could show up later this year or early in 2027.
Motor1’s Take: If Aston Martin can combine 700-plus horsepower with less weight, more downforce, and maybe even a manual gearbox, this Vantage could be one of the most interesting alternatives to the Porsche 911 GT3.
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