Visitors to this week’s Autosport International Show will be able to see the Aston Martin N24 race car displayed on the Yokohama stand – the same week that technical details of the new model have been confirmed.

Based on the much-admired V8 Vantage road car, the limited-production-run Vantage N24 has been developed for racing following the success of the near-standard model at last year’s Nürburgring 24 Hours. The V8 Vantage finished 24th overall from 220 starters, completing some 130 laps of the 15.77-mile circuit – in a field of mostly specialised race-homologated entrants. The Nürburgring 24-hour race not only gives its name to the V8 Vantage N24, but also provided a conclusive demonstration of its potential. The Vantage N24 subsequently went on to finish eighth overall in the inaugural 24-hour race of Bahrain in December, again competing against highly-modified race machinery.

The Vantage N24’s engine is modified to enhance throttle response and performance; including lightening and balancing of crankshaft, conrods and pistons, cylinder-head reprofiling, and calibration of the engine management system for race use. The N24 also benefits from a free-flow exhaust system and improved air filters. The result? A 30bhp increase over the standard car, giving 410bhp at 7500rpm – in a car weighing just 1330kg (250kg lighter than the standard road car).

The N24 is available with 6-speed manual transmission only. A Valeo twin-plate cerametallic racing clutch and lightweight flywheel complete the powertrain specification, while the V8 Vantage’s suspension has required only minor adjustments to optimise it for track use. These include larger diameter front and rear anti-roll bars and adjustable ride-height aluminium dampers, plus single-rate flat ground springs with separate helper springs. Speedline cast magnesium front and rear wheels are standard, along with high performance Yokohama AO48 tyres. The brakes have been uprated with Pagid RS 29 race pads.

As supplied, the Vantage N24 will be eligible for such series as the VLN Endurance Championship at the Nürburgring, the Britcar endurance series, the Dutch Supercar Challenge, the Australian GT Championship and the European Endurance Championship. In addition, the Vantage N24 is also potentially eligible for the proposed European GT4 series, the Grand-Am Cup and SCCA Touring Car Class in the USA.

The Vantage N24 will be hand-built in a dedicated facility within Aston Martin’s Gaydon headquarters. It is on sale now at a price which starts at £78,720 plus local taxes and delivery.

Text: Charis Whitcombe
Photos: Aston Martin