2006 Aston Martin N�rburgring V8 Vantage

(from Aston Martin Press Release)  London, 18 July – Aston Martin announced today at the British International Motor Show that the V8 Vantage which recently competed at the 24-hour endurance race at the Nürburgring will be made available to customers in limited numbers.

The factory prepared Aston Martin V8 Vantage took its place in the company's history books after finishing 24th overall at the race, among a field of largely motorsport-homologated cars last month.

Now customers will be able to order examples of the same car, which will be built to order at Aston Martin's Gaydon headquarters from August.

The V8 Vantage is almost entirely production standard, including the engine and transmission. The only modifications made – for safety and pit-lane efficiency – include a full mandatory safety cage, special fuel tank and fire system, racing seat, and built-in air jacks.

As the Vantage remains production standard, it can still be made road legal, allowing customers to drive from home and race at the track – as did the Vantage which completed the 24-hour endurance race in Germany in June.

Aston Martin Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Ulrich Bez, said: "By finishing in the top 25 with a standard production Vantage at the Nürburgring, we showed the true capabilities of the car.

"The race marked a real achievement for both the car and the team – and to celebrate this we wanted to make the car available to customers who are motorsport enthusiasts wanting to participate in amateur racing.

"With our dedicated production and engine facilities we have greater flexibility than ever before, allowing us to consider small, special production runs – such as this project.

"One of the virtues of our company is the ability to react to what customers want and, as we demonstrate here, offer the ultimate in personalisation."

Prices will be confirmed in the coming weeks, but are expected to be close to the price of the standard production car, which starts at &£82,800 ($113,200).