Aston Martin appears to be preparing a much more serious version of the Vantage, and this time the target is clear: the Porsche 911 GT3.
A new prototype spotted testing at the Nürburgring looks noticeably more aggressive than the regular Vantage, with several changes pointing toward a hardcore, track focused model believed to carry the Vantage RS name.
The lightly camouflaged car was captured by CarSpyMedia, and while Aston Martin has yet to reveal official details, the prototype already gives us a good idea of where the company is heading.
Aston Martin Vantage RS Spotted At The Nürburgring
The biggest changes are aerodynamic. Up front, the prototype features a much larger splitter, reshaped airflow elements, and vented front fenders designed to help extract air from the wheel arches.
At the rear, the car wears a huge fixed wing with large end plates, giving it a much more purposeful look and hinting at serious levels of downforce. There is also a redesigned rear diffuser, while the quad exhaust outlets have been moved toward the center instead of sitting at the outer edges of the bumper.
Altogether, the changes make this prototype look far more focused than any current Vantage.
More Than 700 HP Could Be On The Way
The Vantage RS is expected to stick with Aston Martin’s familiar 4.0 liter twin turbo V8, developed in partnership with Mercedes AMG.
The regular Vantage already produces 656 hp, while the Vantage S increases that figure to around 670 hp. The RS, however, is expected to push output beyond the 700 hp mark.
More power will likely be only part of the package. If Aston Martin wants the RS to genuinely challenge cars like the 911 GT3, weight reduction, sharper chassis tuning, and improved aerodynamics will be just as important.
A V12 is not expected, which makes sense for a car focused on handling, balance, and outright track performance rather than simply chasing a bigger engine.
Could Aston Martin Bring Back The Manual?
One of the more interesting rumors surrounding the Vantage RS is the possibility of a manual transmission.
Aston Martin CEO Adrian Hallmark has previously left the door open for manual gearboxes to return on certain enthusiast focused models, and the RS would be a natural candidate.
Nothing has been confirmed yet, but a lighter, more powerful Vantage with a manual gearbox would certainly give the car a very different character from most modern performance cars.
When Will The Vantage RS Arrive?
Judging by the development car, the Vantage RS appears to be well into the testing phase and relatively close to production form.
Aston Martin could reveal the car before the end of 2026, although an official debut in early 2027 also remains possible.
ArabGT’s Take
If Aston Martin combines more than 700 hp with lower weight, serious aerodynamic upgrades, and possibly a manual gearbox, the Vantage RS could become one of the most exciting cars the brand has produced in years.
The Porsche 911 GT3 remains one of the benchmarks for driver focused sports cars, so taking it on will not be easy. But if the Vantage RS delivers the balance, feedback, and character its prototype promises, this could turn into a very interesting fight.
What Do You Think?
Could the Aston Martin Vantage RS genuinely challenge the Porsche 911 GT3 on track?
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