Aston Martin revealed its weapon for taking on the competition at this year’s Nurburgring 24 hour race in its official Bilstein livery. The V12 Vantage GT3, developed in partnership with the suspension specialist, wants to bring home a trophy to celebrate the brand’s centenary year.

In order to do that, the car has full support from factory and Bilstein experts, whose dampers are fitted as standard to all Aston Martin road cars as well, and it will be driven by a team of experienced Aston Martin Racing’s works drivers, including Darren Turner (GB), Stefan Mücke (D), Allan Simonsen (DN) and Pedro Lamy (PT).

The V12 Vantage GT3 is powered by a modified dry-supmed version of the production 6.0-litre V12 engine, developing over 600 horsepower and 700 Nm of torque. N24 regulations though, limit the car to 550 horsepower.

Since 2006, Aston Martin has been a Nurburgring regular, entering the 24-hour endurance race as well as the track’s own VLN series. What’s more, every new Aston Martin road car has to be thoroughly tested at the ‘Ring before going into production.

The GT3 Vantage will be Aston’s main focus at this year’s race, but they are also entering a close-to-production V12 Vantage, as well as the Hybrid Hydrogen Rapide S, the first hydrogen powered car to compete in an official FIA race.