New car news

10 January 2007 - 09:00

Vantage racer gets final spec

Gentlemen racers: start your wallets.

Aston Martin has finalised the specification of its Vantage N24 racer for stout chaps keen to take to the track.

Hand-built at Aston's headquarters, the N24 comes with an engine that has lightened internals to improve throttle response and performance. A free-flow exhaust also helps up the power, and noise, by 30bhp to 410bhp.

The six-speed manual transmission remains, but overall weight is down by 250kg to further improve performance.

The suspension has received some tweaks too, gaining larger diameter front and rear anti-roll bars and aluminium shock absorbers, while there are some tasty new alloy wheels. The brakes have also been uprated to cope with the demands of racing.

The stripped-out interior features a roll cage, race seat and fire extinguisher and not a lot else because the air conditioning and airbags have all been junked. There is, however, as suede-covered quick release steering wheel.

The price of a bespoke Aston Martin racer should make your eyes explode, but somehow £78,720 seems like very good value.

Gentlemen racers: form a queue.