| Manufacturer | Aston Martin |
|---|---|
| Production | 1989–2000 1050 produced 2012– |
| Predecessor | Aston Martin V8 Vantage |
| Successor | Aston Martin V8 Vantage |
| Class | Grand tourer |
| Layout | FR layout |
The Virage was Aston Martin's replacement for the decades-old V8 models. Introduced at the Birmingham Motor Show in 1988,[1] it was joined by the high-performance Vantage in 1993, and the name of the standard car was changed to V8 in 1996.
This V8-powered car was intended as the company's top model, with the 6-cylinder 1994 DB7 slotted below it. Although the DB7 switched to a V12 engine and claimed the performance crown, this V8 model (by then in Vantage form) remained the exclusive, expensive, and hand-built king of Astons. It was replaced in 2000 with the Vanquish. The V8 Vantage name reappeared on a new entry-level model in 2005. By the end of the 2000 model year, 1,050 of all Virage related models had been produced.
A new generation Virage is to be introduced at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, to fit into the middle of Aston Martin's current lineup.
Contents |
| Production | 1989–1995 365 produced |
|---|---|
| Body style | 2-door 2+2 coupé |
| Engine | 5.3 L V8 |
| Wheelbase | 2,610 mm |
| Length | 4,735 mm |
| Width | 1,855 mm |
When compared to the preceding V8, the design was fresh and more modern. It looked more like a Lagonda than the V8 it replaced. Indeed, the chassis was an evolution of the Lagonda's, though without its de Dion tube rear suspension, instead a cumbersome aluminium A-frame design cited as one of the Virage's handling downfalls, and the same double wishbones in front. To cut costs, many of the less-important pieces came from other companies, as had been the case for many an Aston past. The sleek headlights and taillights were Audi 200 and Volkswagen Scirocco units, respectively, while General Motors, Jaguar, and Ford provided the steering column, climate control panel, and dash switches. In fact, Ford had purchased Aston Martin and Jaguar shortly before the Virage debuted.
The Virage was a large, heavy car in spite of its all-aluminium body, but the 32-valve 5.3 L (5,340 cc) V8 engine's 494 N·m (364 lb·ft) torque elevated its performance to near sports car levels. "Acceleration just never seems to run out", claimed Sports Car International on a first test. They also praised the "eager and quicker revving" nature of the 335 PS (246 kW; 330 hp) engine with its Callaway-designed heads and Weber-Marelli fuel injection. "Nothing sounds quite like an Aston V8," they concluded. The 1,790 kg (3,946 lb) car could reach 158 mph (254 km/h). The automatic could reach 60 mph from standing in about 6.5 seconds.[1]
The five-speed ZF manual was a fairly rare option, only fitted to about fifty Virages. The more popular automatic option was Chrysler's three-speed Torqueflite transmission.
| Production | 1992–1996 233 produced |
|---|---|
| Body style | 2-door 2+2 convertible |
| Engine | 5.3 L V8 |
The Virage Volante convertible debuted at the 1990 Birmingham Motor Show as a strict two-seater, but a 2+2 version was shown at the 1991 Geneva Motor Show.[1] Production examples, beginning in 1992, were all to feature 2+2 seating. Sources claim that between 224 and 233 examples had been produced when the series ended in 1996. The last 11 example (hence the difference between 224 to 233) already had the naturally aspirated 1995 version motor of the later V8 and V8 LWB Volante with the improved four speed and overdrive Torqueflite automatic and 354 hp (264 kW). A new V8 Volante, with styling based on the V8 Coupé and supercharged Vantage was built from 1997 to 2000 on a lengthened chassis. 63 long chassis V8 Volante's were built.
In January, 1992, Aston Martin introduced a conversion service, transforming the car into a Virage 6.3. As the name implies, the centerpiece of the conversion was a 6.3 L (6,347 cc) V8 derived from the AMR1 racing car. This engine produced 500 hp (373 kW) at 6,000 rpm and 480 ft·lbf (651 N·m) at 5,800 rpm, allowing the car to reach 175 mph (282 km/h).
Other changes included 362 mm (14 in) ventilated disc brakes, the largest used in a passenger car until the Bentley Continental GT, and 18 in (457 mm) wheels. Visually, the 6.3 had wide flared bumpers, low sills and air dams, and side air vents.
| Production | 1997–2000 63 produced |
|---|---|
| Body style | 2-door 2+2 convertible |
| Engine | 5.3 L V8 |
In true British tradition, a shooting brake (estate) version of the Virage was offered in extremely limited numbers beginning in 1992. Unlike prior Aston Shooting Brakes, however, the Virage was produced in-house by the company's Works Service. Estimates place the number of Virage Shooting Brakes at four.
Another rare Works Service car was the Lagonda Saloon. Four of these long-wheelbase 4-door Virages were built as a special customer order, reviving Aston Martin's long-dormant second marque.
The final Virage variant was the ultra-limited V8 Vantage Volante of 2000. Nine of these high-performance convertibles were produced, one of them on the long wheelbase chassis.
| Production | 1993–2000: 280 produced Volante, 2000: 8 SWB, 1 LWB |
|---|---|
| Body style | 2-door 2+2 coupé 2-door 2+2 convertible (Works Service) |
| Engine | 5.3 L supercharged V8 |
As with many other Astons, a high-performance Vantage model of the Virage would later appear. First shown in 1992, the Vantage was produced from 1993 through 1999 and, like so many other Aston Vantages, soon became the only variant available. Indeed, the Virage name lasted just a few years, with its final descendants inheriting the simple and familiar V8 name.
The design was freshened, leaving only the roof and doors of the car intact. The Vantage was wider, appeared lower, and used four round "grapefruit" tail lights (rumoured to have been those used on a Bova coach for the prototype). Like the 6.3, the Vantage used record-sized 362 mm (14 in) brake discs.
The most radical change to the Vantage, however, was inside the engine compartment. The 5.3 L engine now sported twin superchargers. Power output topped the industry at 550 hp (410 kW), and torque was equally impressive at 555 ft·lbf (746 N·m). Top speed was 200 mph (320 km/h), with a dash to 60 mph (97 km/h) taking just 4.2 seconds. Considering that the kerb weight of the car was almost two tons, this was no mean feat. The engine was later uprated to 600 hp (447 kW) for the 1998 V600. The earlier version is often referred to as "V550" to set it apart from the later, upgraded ones.
In 2000, Aston Martin's "Works Service" unit built nine bespoke Vantage Volantes (convertibles), one of which was built to long wheelbase specifications.
| Production | 1996–1999 101 produced |
|---|---|
| Body style | 2-door 2+2 coupé |
| Engine | 5.3 L V8 |
Just before the new European emission and safety regulations came in force, Aston Martin decided to put a memorable end to the V8-Vantage breed, with a special model called "V8 Vantage Le Mans". This car was presented in Geneva in 1999, the 40th anniversary of Aston Martin's victory at that race. It was decided that only a limited series of 40 Vantage Le Mans would be built, one for each year since the Le Mans victory. These cars were the only Aston Martin ever sold with the Le Mans name, and are different and better than any of the previous Aston Martin V8.
The engine delivers 612 PS (450 kW; 604 hp) and 820 N·m (600 lb·ft) of torque, whilst the suspension was also reinforced with special Koni shock-absorbers and stiffer anti-roll bars. The bodywork featured a blanked-out front grille and modified side vents – replicating the side vents of the Le Mans winning DBR-1 – as well as a bigger front spoiler and rear skirt. The interior was reworked with a gigantic rev-meter, a special Titanium finish on some parts, and all possible options such as heated windshield, parking radars, traction control, heated electric seats, and full Connolly leather upholstery with matching Wilton pure wool carpets. Wheels were the same Dymag magnesium units as seen on most V600s. Performance was high, with a claimed top speed of 200 mph (or 320 km/h) and zero to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds. The keyholder was in sterling silver and a map from Newport-Pagnell to the legendary Le Mans track was provided in the delivery documents, for owners who would like to do the pilgrimage. Each "Le Mans" was made upon special commission and fitted with a number plate indicating also the name of the first owner.
A less extreme V8 Coupé was also built from 1996, replacing the defunct Virage. Lacking the superchargers and the more aggressive body style of its big brother Vantage, the coupé produced 349 hp (260 kW) and 369 ft·lbf (500 N·m). In total, 101 examples of the V8 version were built from 1996 through 2000. The price of a V8 Vantage Le Mans with all options was a little above £190'000 GPB in 2000.
The Virage did not become available in the United States until the summer of 1990 and the Virage Volante convertible would become available in 1992. Shooting Brake versions and the Virage Vantage were not officially offered for sale in the U.S. The car's availability ended after the 1993 model year, due to the lack of passenger airbags and inability to meet emissions regulations.[2]
| Production | 2011– |
|---|---|
| Body style | 2-door 2+2 convertible |
| Engine | 6 L V12 |
In February 2011 it was revealed that a new Aston Martin Virage would be launched at the Geneva Motor Show. The Virage will sit between the more basic DB9 and the flagship DBS in Aston Martin's line-up and will come with a 2 seat or 2+2 seating configuration. Virage's hand-assembled 6.0 litre V12 engine will deliver 490 bhp and torque of 570 Nm. It will be capable of doing 0 to 100 km/h in less than 5 seconds. The new Virage will be available in two versions: Coupé or Volante (convertible).[3][4]
In Series 17 Episode 2 of Top Gear, James May said that the Virage is the "in-the-middle" version that is sharper than the DB9 but not as aggressive as the DBS. However, he was unhappy that the Virage is just "another pointless bone-shaking racing car".[5] It set a lap time of 1:24.4 at the Top Gear Test Track.
It was featured in Forza Motorsport 4 via the November Speed DLC Pack.
| Type | 1940s | 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Owner | David Brown Limited | William Wilson | Sprague & Minden | Pace Petroleum & Gauntlett | Gauntlett & Livanos | Gauntlett, Livanos & Ford | Ford | Richards, Sinders, Dar, Adeem | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| City car | Cygnet | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Zagato /
Limited Run |
DB4 GT Zagato | V8 Zagato | DB7 Vantage Zagato | V12 Zagato | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| DB AR1 | One-77 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Super Grand tourer | SWB | V8 Vantage | Virage Vantage | V8 Vantage | V12 Vanquish | DBS V12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Grand tourer | V8 | Virage | V8 | Virage | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| DB4 | DB5 | DB6 | DB7 | DB9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| DB1 | DB2 | DB2/4 | DB Mk III | DBS | Vantage | V8 Vantage / | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Luxury saloon | 2.6-Litre | 3-Litre | Rapide | Lagonda | Rapide | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||