Aston Martin tests V12 Vantage at Nurburgring Endurance Event
It’s almost de rigueur for manufacturers to take their performance-themed automobiles to the Nurburgring for testing. Porsche and BMW have used the punishing circuit for decades, and it hasn’t taken long for other manufacturers to see the benefit of testing on the world’s fastest public road.
However, Aston Martin is taking something of a different angle with their V12 Vantage testing program, opting to not only use the venue, but also the 24 hour race it hosts to test their latest work’s mettle. Stripping the vehicle of its luxurious interior in favour of a race-spec roll cage, the V12 remains largely unchanged, with the only significant changes being the adjusted (but not replaced) suspension, and Pirelli PZero Circuit Racing tires. The v12 underhood is completely stock, and produces 510 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque; plenty for the lightened race car. Likewise, the bodywork remains the same as what is expected from the production model.
Interestingly, the new car will be piloted by Aston CEO Dr. Ulrich Bez, and will be joined on track by “Rose,” the first Aston Martin V8 to be campaigned on the endurance circuit. Having competed in four 24-hour events, “Rose” has clocked over 20,000 endurance racing miles. 2009 will also mark the 50th anniversary of winning the ADAC Nurburgring 1000 kilometre endurance race with a now-priceless DBR1.
