MICHAEL KARKAFIRIS wrote:The track-only Aston Martin Vulcan has just received a major upgrade package from the company’s newfound AMR performance sub-brand.
The package focuses on extensive aerodynamic enhancements for more downforce and shorter gearing for better responsiveness, acceleration and faster lap times. The naturally aspirated 7.0-liter V12 remains unchanged, offering 820hp and 575lb-ft (779 Nm) of torque.
The front end now features new louvered panels above the front wheel arches which help in extracting high-pressure air and reducing lift, with a pair of dive planes added to the sides of the nose. The front splitter has also gained turning vanes for better steering response.
At the rear there is a new wing with a dual plane design, with its main element featuring a 20mm ‘Gurney’ flap supplemented by slotted wing endplates with additional 15mm Gurney flaps to increase downforce as much as possible.
Aston Martin reckons that the overall downforce has been increased from the original 3150Nm to an impressive 4000Nm. For comparison, the 2017 Le Mans-winning Vantage GTE produces ‘just’ 3104Nm of downforce. The new aero also improves the balance of the Vulcan as it shifts the car’s center of pressure closer to the middle (47% over the original’s 41.5%).
“We worked hard to ensure it’s not a monster to drive, so it was important the AMR Pro upgrade remains true to that objective,” said Aston Martin Racing works driver, Darren Turner. “By increasing the overall level of downforce front and rear, but also improving the balance of the car we’ve done just that. Together with the shortened gearing, which makes it even more punchy when you accelerate through the gears, the Aston Martin Vulcan AMR Pro feels more agile and responsive to steering inputs.”
The new Aston Martin Vulcan AMR Pro is set to make its public debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, with the first cars expected to be completed this autumn.
