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Aston Martin unveils new Virage

Aston launches the Virage at the Geneva motor show, powered by the familiar 6.0-litre V12, it sits below the DBS in the range.

Aston Martin Virage

By Tom Philips

February 2011

Aston Martin has unveiled the striking new Virage at the Geneva Motor Show, exploiting the middle ground between its two V12-powered coupés and resurrecting a famous name of old to create a brand new model.

 

The Virage offers the best compromise between the refined cruising ability of the DB9 and sporty prowess of the DBS, according to the firm – and updates features from both. Power is from Aston’s hand-built 6.0-litre V12. It delivers exactly 20bhp more than a DB9 and 20bhp less than a DBS, at 490bhp, and drives the rear wheels through a six-speed auto box.

Described by company boss Dr. Ulrich Bez as a car "with the ability to go anywhere, anytime" and said that although the Cygnet has lowered the company's overall carbon emissions by 27 percent, hybrid and electric cars were "fifteen to twenty years from being a real alternative to conventional vehicles."

Sharing the stand with the new Virage, was the Vantage-S coupé (in contrasting Ascari blue) due to be launched later this year, it features a tweaked version of the standard car's V8 engine, boosted to produce 430bhp and 490Nm of torque. 

The Virage's power plant has also been tweaked, featuring a new exhaust manifold for an even more intoxicating sound, and develops its 570Nm of torque low down in the rev range for maximum driveability.

Beneath the skin is the aluminium VH architecture that underpins all modern Astons, while the Virage gets newly developed adaptive dampers. These offer five different stiffness settings in normal mode, and five more when owners press the Sport button on the dashboard.

This also sharpens throttle response, holds on to gears for longer and speeds up shifts. Carbon-ceramic brakes are standard, too. Striking xenon lights help to distinguish the Virage from other Astons, while there’s a five-bar aluminium grille – inspired by the One-77 hypercar – and a cleaner front bumper, with a single lower grille in place of the DB9’s three-part element.
 
Also fitted are fresh sills, 20-inch alloys and side vents with a chrome highlight that extends on to the doors. A new rear diffuser completes the look. Inside, the Virage gets upgraded leather seats, and Aston has finally responded to criticism of its ageing Volvo-sourced sat-nav and replaced it with the latest integrated Garmin.

Heated seats, a 700W stereo and Bluetooth hands-free also feature. The Coupé comes as a 2+2, or with a storage shelf instead of rear seats to save weight. A Volante drop-top is also available. Prices are also expected to split the DB9 and DBS, starting at around £150,000.

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13 Comments

Virage returns

First it was V8 Vantage then DBS with V12 engine after 007 drove it now Virage. Well I don't know but it seem an extra model. The orginal 1990's Virage was powered with a V8. Now it more like the DBS & DB9. But I thought it was the DB9 replacement.

By deviras on 23 February, 2011, 7:30am

Nice name for a really nice Aston

Q: What do you get when cross both the DB9 and DBS with the face of the Rapide?
A: One of the best-looking Astons ever built!

By JPW2010 on 23 February, 2011, 11:26am

Aston (as Bertone did last week) demonstrating that less is definitely more.
Other designers pay attention. This is Styling 101 and it never goes out of fashion.

By PedroConejo on 23 February, 2011, 2:13pm

One word...

... Stunning!

'nuf said!

By ajjm65 on 23 February, 2011, 2:22pm

Time to move on!

Jaguar reinvented itself styling wise. Aston should do the same. Don't get me wrong: the V8 Avantage is still the prettiest sports car around. But why should all Astons look the same? For instance, the Rapide looks like an elongated DB9. Wouldn't it be great to see the Fisker Karma basic shape with the Aston trademark facade?

By voyager on 24 February, 2011, 8:49am

its ok but its just seems like a rebranded DB9, doesn't look any newer. i would have liked this to look better and fresher than DB9. more sculptured flares in the wheel arches, have a lower body profile than what just looks like a cut and paste job in Paint or photoshop. Come on Aston, expected better from you!!

By corsamani on 24 February, 2011, 8:57am

Yeah but

Fix the gearboxes!!! For crying out loud, of the 8 months I have had my AM, I have only had it for 1 month at home! Sorry AM< but 15 years of saving and this is NOT what I expected!

By spaceman on 24 February, 2011, 9:28am

Yeeeeaaaaah Baybehhhhhhh!

Bring it on Aston. Mine in dark blue please. Mmmmmmmm.

By craiglife on 24 February, 2011, 10:39am

Same old,same old

I honestly couldn't name any of the models by how they look.
Time to move on Aston.

By toycollector on 24 February, 2011, 11:35am

Don't pull a Jag on us!

I have to reluctantly agree with the concensus of comments here. The design of the different models is much too similar and getting a bit dated. AM needs to freshen its approach... but whatever they do, don't bring Ian McCullum back. Look what he did to the Jags. They resemble the bastard love child between a Ford and and the old hunchback Daimlers. Oh, and PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE don't call in Chris Bangle ex-officia designer for BMW. They'd be better off having Robert Crumb design the cars.

By mcrosson on 25 February, 2011, 8:46am

? what new car

can some one tell me, who set the photocopier on 87 % at aston martin...? and many of autoexperss ready say all audi's look the same come on , all the cars that A.M makes looks like photo copies on the one before it ,but the one.77

By autounionDI on 25 February, 2011, 3:49pm

@spaceman

If you bought your AM new, and you've had it in your possession for 1 month out of 8, I'd say you have a damn good case for rejection. Tell the dealer to fit a new gearbox or you will reject the car, you have the legal right to do so as it is unfit for purpose...

By sgtgrash on 27 February, 2011, 1:41am

Doing a Cayman!

Aston Martin only has 2 distinct cars - the V8 and DB9
The DBS is a DB9 with a bodykit. The Virage is just what it is; a mirage! The Cygnet is a over-elaborated IQ.
Aston is going the wrong way. Its doing a Cayman! Slap Bang in the middle of the cars!

By lucasworld on 16 March, 2011, 7:57pm

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Pictures

Aston Martin unveils new Virage front
Aston Martin unveils new Virage rear
Aston Martin Virage Geneva
Aston Martin's Geneva stand
Aston Martin Vantage-S
Aston Martin Vantage-S Geneva
Aston Martin Virage rear

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