Aston Martin has publicly unveiled its new rally version of the V8 Vantage that will be campaigned by independent rally racing teams.
Aston Martin has been known to produce fast and luxurious sports cars that some people consider the nicest vehicles on the road. When most people think of an Aston Martin, they envision a very clean ride with a shiny glass coating that covers every square inch which almost makes the car a piece of jewelry on the road (though cruising over 100mph). Well, at the end of 2006, this won’t always be the case. The Aston Martin Rally GT has been developed with help from Prodrive, the company that runs Subaru's World Rally team and Aston's own DBR9 racers.
Based on a standard V8 Vantage, the Rally GT has uprated suspension with Eibach springs and EXE-TC shock absorbers. Prodrive designed the included roll cage. Also, as part of its development, the Rally GT has already taken part in three tarmac rallies in France and took second in its class at the Lyon to Charbonniers Rally.
The first of the limited production of Aston Martin Rally GT models will be delivered to their owners towards the end of 2006. We will then be witness to an Aston Martin covered in dirt and mud for the first time.