1. Virage/V8 Coupé and Works Service models

2. Virage Volante/V8 Volante
    V8 Vantage Le Mans 

3. U.S. availability

4. Virage (2011–2012)

5. References

6. External links

The Aston Martin Virage is an automobile produced by British luxury automobile manufacturer Aston Martin as a replacement for its V8 models. Introduced at the Birmingham Motor Show in 1988,^[2] it was joined by the high-performance Vantage in 1993, and then the name of the base model was changed to V8 Coupé in 1996.

The V8-powered model was intended as the company's flagship model, with the 6-cylinder DB7, introduced in 1994, positioned below it as an entry-level model. Although the DB7 became available with a V12 engine and claimed a performance advantage, the Virage remained the exclusive, expensive and hand-built flagship of the Aston Martin range. It was replaced in 2000 with the Vanquish. By the end of the 2000 model year, 1,050 cars in total had been produced. The V8 Vantage name reappeared on a new entry-level model in 2005.

A new generation of the Virage was introduced at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, to fit into the middle of Aston Martin's then current lineup but was discontinued in 2012 due to many similarities between the brand's other models.

Virage/V8 Coupé and Works Service models

When compared to the preceding V8, the design was fresh and more modern. The Virage was more similar in design language to the Lagonda than the V8 it replaced. Indeed, the chassis was an evolution of the Lagonda's, with a de Dion tube rear suspension, located by triangulated radius rods and a Watts linkage, and a double wishbone unit at the front.^[4] To cut costs, many of the less-important pieces came from other companies, as had been the case for Aston Martin automobiles of the past. The sleek headlights and taillights were sourced from the Audi 200 and the Volkswagen Scirocco respectively, while General Motors, Jaguar, and Ford provided the steering column, climate control panel, wing mirrors and dash switches. In fact, Ford had purchased Aston Martin and Jaguar shortly before the Virage debuted and it became the first model to be introduced under the new ownership.

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 {{convert|494|Nm|lb.ft|0|abbr=on}} torque elevated its performance to near sports car levels. "Acceleration just never seems to run out", claimed Sports Car International during a first test. They also praised the "eager and quicker revving" nature of the {{convert|335|PS|kW hp|0|abbr=on}} 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 attain a top-speed of {{cvt|254|kph|mph|0|abbr=on}}. The automatic variant could accelerate to {{convert|60|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on|order=flip}} from a standing start in about 6.5 seconds (7.4 seconds for the manual version).^[2][3] An engine power upgrade to upgrade to {{convert|354|PS|kW hp|0|abbr=on}} was announced at the 1996 Geneva Show.^[5] English actor Rowan Atkinson owned a Virage Coupé which featured on the front cover of Car (magazine) May 1990.^[6] In the article he commented how the modern climate control system provided heating efficiency beyond the veteran Aston driver’s dreams and couldn’t believe warm air would emanate from the footwell within 90 seconds of start up.

The five-speed ZF Friedrichshafen manual was fitted to about forty percent of the cars produced. The more popular automatic option was the Chrysler three-speed Torqueflite transmission. For the 1993 model year, the three-speed unit was replaced by a four-speed automatic unit.^[5] The six-speed manual from the Vantage also became optional at the end of the Virage's production run.^[7]

===Works Service===

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 {{convert|6347|cc|L|1|abbr=on|order=flip}} V8 derived from the AMR1 racing car. This engine has a power output of {{cvt|507|PS|kW hp|0|abbr=on}} at 6,000 rpm and 480 lb·ft (651 N·m) of torque at 5,800 rpm, allowing the car to attain a top speed of {{cvt|282|kph|mph|0|abbr=on}}.

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.

Virage Shooting Brake

In true British tradition, a shooting brake (estate) version of the Virage was offered in extremely limited numbers. It debuted at the March 1992 Geneva Motor Show. Unlike prior Aston Martin Shooting Brake models, however, the Virage was produced in-house by the company's Works Service, with six believed to be constructed in total. The cars were priced at {{GBP|165,000}}. The cars are believed to have retained Virage chassis numbers, except two that received chassis numbers of the type "DP/2099".^[8]

Lagonda Virage Saloon

Another rare Works Service car is the Lagonda Saloon. Only a handful of these long-wheelbase four-door Virage models were built as a special customer order, reviving Aston Martin's long-dormant second marque. Introduced in 1994, it was manufactured by Aston Martin Works Service with a {{convert|12|inch|cm|adj=on|0}} chassis extension, although two were ordered with an {{convert|18|in|mm|adj=on}} extension. The name refers to the four-door Aston Martin Lagonda. The Lagonda Virage cost about {{GBP|250,000}} and only eight or nine are believed to have been produced, with some being conversions of regular Virages.

Lagonda Virage Shooting Brake

The five-door Lagonda Virage Shooting Brake debuted at the same time as the Lagonda Virage. It was made by Aston Martin Works Service in only one or two examples, and has been spotted bearing "Vacances" badging at the rear.^[9]

V8 Coupé

A less extreme V8 Coupé replaced the standard Virage from 1996 onwards having the updated styling inherited from the more powerful Vantage. Lacking the superchargers and the more aggressive body style of its sibling, the engine in the V8 Coupé has a power output of {{cvt|354|PS|kW hp|0|abbr=on}} and 369 lb·ft (500 N·m) of torque. In total, 101 examples of the V8 Coupé were built from 1996 through 2000.

Virage Volante/V8 Volante

The convertible version of the Virage, called the Virage Volante 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.^[2] Production examples, beginning in 1992, were all to feature 2+2 seating. Sources claim that between 224 and 233 examples had been produced when production ended in 1996.{{clarify|what sources?|date=February 2019}} The last 11 examples (hence the difference between 224 and 233) already had the naturally aspirated 1995 version of the engine found in the later V8 and V8 LWB Volante models with the improved four-speed and overdrive Torqueflite automatic and a power output of {{Convert|359|PS|kW hp|0|abbr=on}}.

A new V8 Volante Long Wheelbase, with updated styling of the V8 Coupé was produced from 1997 to 2000 on a lengthened chassis. Production was limited to 63 units.

==Vantage==

As with many other Aston Martin models, a high-performance Vantage model of the Virage would later be introduced. First shown at Birmingham in September 1992, the Vantage was produced from 1993 through 2000 and, like many other Aston Vantage models would soon became the only variant available. The Virage name lasted just a few years, with its final descendants inheriting the simple and familiar V8 name.

The Vantage had new styling with only the roof, doors and wing mirrors shared with the Virage. The wing mirrors were later replaced in favour of newly styled wing mirrors exclusive to this model. The Vantage is wider, lower, used four round tail lights (later adopted for the base V8 Coupé), and featured new rear suspension and interior electronics. Like the 6.3, the Vantage used record-sized 362 mm (14 in) brake discs and 18 inch wheels.^[7]

The most radical change to the Vantage, however, was inside the engine compartment. The {{cvt|5341|cc|L|1|abbr=on|order=flip}} V8 engine now used twin superchargers. Power output topped the industry{{Citation needed|date=January 2019}} at {{convert|558|PS|kW hp|0|abbr=on}} (and homologated at {{convert|593|PS|kW hp|0|abbr=on}}), and torque was equally high at 555 lb·ft (745 N·m) at 4,000 rpm. Top speed was {{convert|300|km/h|mph|0|abbr=on}}, with acceleration to 97 km/h (60 mph) taking 4.6 seconds.^[7] For the 1998 V600, the engine was upgraded to {{convert|608|PS|kW hp|0|abbr=on}} at 6,200 rpm and {{convert|600|lbft|Nm|0|abbr=on}} of torque at 4,400 rpm.^[10] The earlier version is often referred to as "V550" to set it apart from the later, upgraded models.

In 2000, Aston Martin's "Works Service" unit built nine bespoke Vantage Volante models (convertibles), one of which was built to long wheelbase specifications.

V8 Vantage Le Mans

Just before the new European emission and safety regulations came in force, Aston Martin decided to put a memorable end to the V8-Vantage line with a special model called "V8 Vantage Le Mans". Honoring Aston Martin's 1959 victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the prototype of a limited run of 40 was presented in Geneva in 1999 on the 40th anniversary of the win. They were the only Aston Martin to carry the Le Mans name.

The engine delivers {{Convert|612|PS|kW hp|0|abbr=on}} and {{Convert|820|Nm|0|abbr=on}} of torque, supported by a suspension 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-counter, a special Titanium finish on some parts, and features such as heated windshield, parking radars, traction control, heated electric seats, and full Connolly leather upholstery with matching Wilton wool carpets. Wheels were the same Dymag magnesium units as seen on most V600s. Performance included a claimed top speed of {{cvt|320|kph|mph|0|abbr=on}} and 0 to 100 km/h acceleration being achieved 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. Each car was made upon special commission and fitted with a number plate indicating also the name of the first owner.

U.S. availability

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.^[11]

Virage (2011–2012)

In February 2011 it was revealed that a new generation of the Virage would be introduced at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show by Aston Martin. The Virage capitalises on the technology from the DBS and unites it with the comfort and refinement found in the DB9 and Rapide. The Virage was intended to sit in the narrow slot between the basic DB9 and the flagship DBS.

The car has a 2-seat or 2+2 seating configuration. The Virage's hand-assembled 5.9-litre V12 engine has a power output of {{convert|497|PS|kW hp|0|abbr=on}} and {{convert|570|Nm|lbft|0|abbr=on}} of torque. It is capable of accelerating from 0 to {{convert|62|mph|kph|0|abbr=on|order=flip}} in 4.6 seconds, and has a top speed of {{convert|300|km/h|mph|0|abbr=on}}. The Virage was available in two bodystyles: Coupé or Volante (convertible).^[13][14]

Aston Martin announced that the second generation of the Virage would be discontinued after 18 months of production, as the distinctions between it, the DB9, and the DBS were simply too slim.^[15]

References

1. {{cite journal|title=Anglophyle Style|author=Kevin Blick|journal=Sports Car International|volume=6.9|date=September 1990|pages=22–27}}

2. Covello, Mike, updated by, Standard Catalog of Imported Cars: 1946–2002, Krause Publications, Iola, WI, U.S.A., 2002.

External links

• {{Official website | http://www.astonmartin.com }}

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