Search Car Reviews



See all makes

Aston Martin Virage

Geneva show star does justice to its famous badge, and is a worthy edition to the line up

Aston Martin Virage front

By Owen Mildenhall

March 2011

  • Rating:

The Virage name is back! The classic badge was last used on Aston Martin’s late Eighties V8 flagship, but is now worn by a model to bridge the gap between the DB9 and DBS. So has it found a winning middle ground?

 

The newcomer splits the two exactly on price, at £150,000, while its 6.0-litre V12 produces 490bhp – that’s 20bhp less than in the DBS but 20bhp up on the standard model. Aside from the roof, every panel has been subtly altered.

There’s a new, more angular front end, plus sharper shoulder lines and deeper sills. The revamped headlamps incorporate a sidebar of LED running lights to help the model stand out.
 
It’s not revolutionary, but as with the DBS, the Virage manages to retain the elegance of the DB9 shape while looking sharper and sportier. Further aggression is provided by the 20-inch alloy wheels, which hide the lighter, more powerful ceramic brakes. These complement the revised adaptive damping system and three-stage stability control programme.

On the road, the suspension copes well with smoother surfaces, but over repeated undulations the rear axle feels a little unsettled. However, the reworked traction control package provides a track setting, which is less intrusive on the limit, while any loss of rear grip is nicely communicated.

In fact, the well weighted steering and reassuring front-end grip ensure the Virage is engaging on a demanding road, without detracting from its abilities as a grand tourer.

The wonderful V12 sounds fantastic and gives strong performance. Yet while 85 per cent of the peak torque arrives at only 1,500rpm, throttle response isn’t always as instant as you would expect. And overall, acceleration and handling aren’t much different to the DB9. Still, the Virage always feels special, thanks to its pace and sheer character – as well as its cabin.

It’s largely unaltered from the DB9’s, with the usual mixture of glass buttons, hand-stitched trimming, polished wood and milled aluminium. The car also debuts Aston’s new Garmin navigation system, which provides clearer, more modern mapping than the set-up in previous models. It adds to the upmarket feel. And with its good looks and character, the newcomer is a fine addition to the line-up.

Rival: Mercedes SLS AMG
Gullwing-doored GT has visual drama, style and exclusive image to rival Aston’s best. Double-clutch box and mighty V8 mean it’s a technical tour de force, too.

What Next

For more breaking car news and reviews, subscribe to Auto Express magazine. We'll give you 6 issues for £1 and a free gift!

< Previous   Next >

Sponsored Results

10 Comments

How long can you squeeze an orange?

... until there's no more juice left... Time to move on, Aston. We've seen that face before, to paraphrase Grace Jones.

By voyager on 15 March, 2011, 7:09am

Bit disappointed after seeing this. nothing looks new about it at all. looks like a half arse job

By corsamani on 15 March, 2011, 8:33am

ehhh

Been there done that !!!!!!!

By jemyd on 15 March, 2011, 9:21am

photocopy

i suppose you cant really blame Aston Martin..... they produced a gorgeous looking car and then went down the Audi route and photocopied the plans at 105% enlargement for the rest of the range.

It is time they started again tho for the next beautiful creation. Go on Aston - be brave......you can do it.

By wmtmarine on 15 March, 2011, 10:48am

More of the same

Come on lads let the past go dont sit on your laurels and end up like Rover be bold create something to be proud of.

By del55 on 15 March, 2011, 7:14pm

It has all been said

Nothing new to see here............move along.

Does anyone really care if its better or worse than all the lookalike Astons of the past few years? As good as it might be to drive, the repetition has become boring.

By ukmike2000 on 16 March, 2011, 12:37am

Lame....

What a waste of tooling and of a good name designation. And engineering it to sit right in between DB9 and DBS is way too contrived.
This could have really injected some much need excitement into the range but instead it's just made Aston Martin look really dated and lame.

By ifudge on 16 March, 2011, 5:23am

Aston - time to move on

The fact is, no-one but an Aston fetishist will see or care about the subtle differences between their models.
I was a serious contender for buying one, as they all look gorgeous (even if you can't easily see which model you're looking at) but I was really shocked when I sat into a DB9. I have rarely been in such a claustrophobic car, with high door lines, tiny windows and an interior completely dominated by what looks like a 1960's cocktail cabinet. A huge disappointment

By Independentopinion on 16 March, 2011, 5:18pm

Aston - time to move on

The fact is, no-one but an Aston fetishist will see or care about the subtle differences between their models.
I was a serious contender for buying one, as they all look gorgeous (even if you can't easily see which model you're looking at) but I was really shocked when I sat into a DB9. I have rarely been in such a claustrophobic car, with high door lines, tiny windows and an interior completely dominated by what looks like a 1960's cocktail cabinet. A huge disappointment

By Independentopinion on 16 March, 2011, 6:43pm

Good but disappointing

I say this because to be frank, all Aston's are brilliant.
Why I'm disappointed is that they have used a flagship name and placed it in the middle.
They should use this on the top-of-the-range DB9 not in the middle.
Being in the middle is not a good thing sometimes. Nobody likes to be average. Nobody wants to be just normal but thats what Aston Martin have done with such a prestige badge, ruined it.
I agree with independantopinion, interior is cramped but it is a beautiful drive.
We know that Aston Martin is brilliant, but so far its new sense of direction has gone astray

By lucasworld on 17 March, 2011, 1:24pm

You need to register to post comments. Existing members can log in below to comment, otherwise click here to join.



Sponsored Results

More ASTON MARTIN VIRAGE articles


Related Index Pages

- Advertisement -

Pictures

Aston Martin Virage rear
Aston Martin Virage inside
Aston Martin Virage V12 engine
Aston Martin Virage badge

Sponsored Results

FIRST OPINION

    If you thought the launch of the Virage heralded the arrival of an all-new Aston Martin, you will be disappointed. View the car as an addition to the established DB9 line-up, though, and it makes sense. With a price and power output that sits half way between the DB9 and DBS, it fills a gap many buyers will appreciate – and strikes an attractive visual compromise between the two. On the road, it’s not a great deal different to the DB9, but feels more honed. The evolution of the DB line continues – and the newcomer is sure to prove a sales hit for the company.

 

AT A GLANCE

    Price: £150,000
    Engine: 6.0-litre V12
    Transmission: Six speed automatic, rear-wheel drive
    Power/torque: 490bhp/570Nm
    0-62mph: 4.6 seconds
    Top speed: 186mph
    Economy: 18.8mpg
    CO2: 349g/km
    Equipment: Electric seats, sat-nav, cruise control, tracking device, Bluetooth, parking sensors, tyre pressure monitor
    On sale: Now
     
    - Advertisement -