Aston Martin V8 Vantage GT launches at New York Motor Show

Aston Martin reveals America-only V8 Vantage GT at the New York Motor Show, based on the N430 that arrives in the UK later this year

Aston Martin has unveiled a new GT-version of the V8 Vantage for 2015 at the New York Motor Show.

Created to make Aston Martin “more accessible to sports car enthusiasts than ever before,” the V8 Vantage GT will be on sale in the US only, and will start at just under $100,000 when it arrives later in 2014.

The Aston Martin V8 Vantage GT is based on the special edition N430 revealed at last month’s Geneva Motor Show and both share a number of mechanical and surface changes. 

As with other Aston Martin Vantage models, the rear-wheel drive V8 GT is available in Coupe or Roadster form and it features either a six-speed manual or seven-speed Sportshift II automatic gearbox.

The Vantage GT is powered by a tuned version of Aston Martin’s naturally aspirated 4.7-litre V8, which uses a valved air intake system and active spark strategy to deliver 430bhp and 489Nm of torque. This gives the Aston Martin V8 Vantage GT a V8 Vantage S-equalling top speed of 190mph, with the GT capable of going from 0-62mph in 4.6 seconds.

Aston Martin has fitted the V8 Vantage GT with a sports exhaust, competition-derived brakes, tuned sports suspension and a quick-ratio steering rack.

The V8 Vantage GT's styling is again inspired by the Aston Martin Vantage GT4 race car, and design features include forged alloys wheels, black headlamp bezels, side window surrounds and textured tailpipe finishers, as well as black surrounds for the clear rear lights.

Alongside an optional graphics pack, Aston Martin offers the V8 Vantage GT in a number of colour schemes, with personalization available for the grille surround, mirror caps and rear diffuser blade.

Exclusive detailing inside the Aston Martin V8 GT includes carbon sill plaques, black magnesium paddle-shifts or carbon fibre gearshift surround, and a leather steering wheel with contrasting stitching. Distinctive Aston Martin sports seats are borrowed from the V12 Vantage S.

Although we won’t get the GT spec V8 Vantage over here, the N430 is on sale in the UK from £89,995, with first deliveries scheduled for September.