Discover the remarkable performance and design of the WEC 2017 Aston Martin V8 Vantage GTE. Explore its powerful 4.0L V8 engine, race-focused interior, and championship-winning legacy in endurance racing. Learn how Aston Martin conquered the FIA World Endurance Championship with innovation and precision.
The WEC 2017 Aston Martin campaign is one of the highlights of the history of endurance racing, and how engineering genius, a touch of design brilliance and team tactics combined to take the title of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). For those who love to race and love cars, the 2017 Aston Martin presence in the WEC is a great display of how innovation and tradition can come together to produce championship-winning performance. This blog dives into the technical and aesthetic features of the 2017 Aston Martin entries, with the V8 Vantage GTE race car receiving special attention, its engine specs, interior design and performance on the race track that made it a formidable presence on the world stage.
WEC 2017 Aston Martin Technical Heartbeat
The engine is often the heart of any racing machine, and the heart of Aston Martin’s 2017 WEC contender was a finely tuned V8 Vantage GTE – one that balanced raw power with reliability; a key factor in endurance racing. The V8 engine’s torquey nature, revving near an 8000 rpm redline, provided explosive acceleration and breathtaking sound for fans and drivers alike. It was this engine which drove the car through the grueling 24 hour races, where durability is as important as speed.
Complementing the powertrain was a state-of-the-art chassis design that gives the 2017 Aston Martin remarkable agility and stability. The chassis design enabled the car to have a high corner speed and exceptional responsiveness in handling, something which meant the car was superior in technical corners compared with its rivals. The suspension arrangement was extremely refined to provide an equal balance; between the aggressive sports driving and the endurance of comfort, absorbing the irregularities of the track without losing the precision of the car on racing circuits.
From a numbers perspective, as exact displacement figures for the race version jump around, in the 4.0 liter V8 twin turbocharged engine platform range, the race version of the Vantage produces around 500 horsepower, as optimized for endurance running so much as outright sprint speed over consistent lap times. This powertrain architecture guaranteed not only power, but also efficiency and dependability, key factors in the WEC’s multi-hour-long races. Indeed, the durability and the performance were excellent harmonization on Aston Martin’s 2017 race car blueprint.
Engine Specs, 2017 Aston Martin V8 Vantage GTE
To please enthusiasts who love the numbers as much as the narrative, here’s a rundown of the engine specs in more detail:
- Engine Type: 4.0 liter twin-turbos V8 (race-spec)
- Power Output: Around 500 horse-power (optimised for endurance racing)
- Maximum RPM: Near 8000 rpm redline
- Torque: High torque output tuned for acceleration out of corners
- Transmission: Racing sequential gearbox, optimized for fast shifting and durability
- Drivetrain: Rear-wheel driven
- Additional Features: Advanced cooling systems and electronics package to assure engine reliability over long periods of race time
This engine is a balance between raw power and the endurance needed for multiple-hour racing events, and designed carefully for sustained performance.
Interior Design: Race-Centric,Driver-Centric
In the case of racing, the cockpit is the place where man meets machine under extreme circumstances and the WEC 2017 Aston Martin certainly doesn’t compromise in this regard. The inside was stripped down to the bare essentials with a clear focus on ergonomics, and driver comfort during long stints behind the wheel. The design was targeted at minimizing distractions and enabling optimal control, with a minimalist design for the dashboard and all controls and crucial telemetry easily accessible directly on the steering wheel.
Craftsmanship was clearly in play regarding material choices, with extensive carbon fiber use to keep weight down and increase strength, durable yet light Alcantara and leather accents to the steering wheel and seating surfaces, which provided grip and comfort for the driver’s hands and seating surfaces. The racing seats were molded to firmly cradle the driver, and would reduce fatigue and ensure stability through high-speed turns and braking.
Most notably, the cockpit design takes its cues from Formula One and Le Mans prototypes, with a reclining seating position which lowers the driver’s center of gravity and increases its safety. Special attention to visibility was incorporated by the careful design of window shapes and placement of mirrors so that the driver has an acute awareness of track conditions and competing drivers at all times.
Matt Hill, Aston Martin’s Creative Director of Interiors, summarised this perfectly: “We’ve adopted Formula One ethos and look at the interior from a position where you think something is impossible and you work at it until you find a way of making it work.” The result is a cockpit which sucks you in and makes you feel utterly one with the car”.
The WEC 2017 Aston Martin on the Circuit: Performance and Victories
The 2017 WEC Aston Martin team raced a number of V8 Vantage GTE cars competing against fierce rivals such as Porsche, Ferrari and Ford in the GTE Pro class. Throughout the season the team exuded blistering pace and strategic genius. At the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Aston Martin Vantage #97 won, beating the Ford GT #67 by more than a minute and effectively winning the race in emphatic fashion, for Aston Martin. This win was a testament to the car’s perfect balance of speed, durability and pit strategy.
Through a range of different track conditions – day and night, rain or shine – the WEC 2017 Aston Martin was able to maintain consistency, an attribute vital for success in endurance racing. The team demonstrated its mastery in optimising the tires wear, fuel consumption and driver change operations as these often spelled the difference between victory and defeat. The engineers constantly tinkered with the car throughout the season, changing setups for the various circuits around the world such as Spa-Francorchamps, Silverstone and Fuji.
Aston Martin campaign from 2017 has clinched not only race wins but has helped them to secure the WEC Manufacturers Title with consistent top finishing and top three finishes. Tobias Moers, Aston Martin CEO, expressed immense pride in the team’s achievement, stating, “To win both GTE classes and the WEC Manufacturer’s title is testimony to the quality of both the team, the Vantage GTE and the Vantage road car that is the basis of the race car”.
Results: The Legacy and Influence of WEC 2017 Aston Martin
The WEC 2017 Aston Martin season is a landmark in the annals of endurance racing and brilliantly demonstrates the coming together of cutting-edge engineering, precision design and a team with an eye for detail. The V8 Vantage GTE wasn’t just an engineering marvel of its robust engine and agile chassis, but a display of how interior design plays a pivotal role in driver performance in grueling races.
By winning prestigious races such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans and securing the Manufacturers’ Title, Aston Martin cemented its place in the history of motorsport, with a heritage that continues to blend seamlessly with innovation. Their holistic approach to the car’s powertrain, aerodynamics and interior ergonomics have something to teach both the racing professionals and enthusiasts.
In the words of racing legend, and expert, David Coulthard: “To be successful in endurance racing it requires more than just pure speed – it requires machine and driver to be in harmony and Aston Martin’s entry in 2017 was a perfect example of this.”
For those entranced by the spirit of motorsport or the elegance of high performance engineering, the story of the WEC 2017 Aston Martin is an inspiring one of perseverance, skill and passion on the racetrack.
