ASTON MARTIN VIRAGE

Aston Martin Virage History


The Aston Martin Virage, when it debuts at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2011, sits between the luxurious DBS and the super-sporty DB9 in the Aston Martin lineup. Really, every Aston Martin is a blend of luxury and and sport; the Virage, as the company sees it, completes the range.


Virage is French for either "bend, turn, curve" or "change in orientation." Aston Martin chose the name first because it begins with a V, which comes from the Vantage engine of the 1950s. Suggestions for the new car's name came from the factory employees, Aston Martin owners, and the Aston Martin Owners Club. Chairman Victor Gauntlett and the company's directors liked Virage best. It's that simple.



Aston Martin Virage Performance


The rear-wheel-drive Aston Martin Virage carries a version of the 6-liter V12 that most other Aston Martins have on board, and it's still in the front of the car, though pushed back as far as possible to achieve a 50-50 weight balance. In the Virage, the engine makes 490 bhp and 420 lb-ft of torque, with a six-speed ZF automatic transmission to make the wheels go round. There are, of course, paddle shifters for more input, and they are, of course, made of magnesium and covered in leather. Pushing the Sport button gives you even more control of the gears.


The Virage also uses a new Active Damping System with five stiffness settings that the computer controls based on driving characteristics, from Sunday cruising to wishing it was track day. There's a glass button to override the system and set everything to its most sporting -- and least cushy -- settings.


Aston Martin Virage Design


Like all Aston Martins, the Virage was drawn up at the company's Gaydon HQ in England. It carries the same iconic Aston Martin grille, with new a sharpness to the aluminum panels' folds. The aim was to create the effect of machining the whole body from one piece of aluminum. Also like other Aston Martins, the Virage features "swan-wing" doors, which open slightly up to avoid curbs. The Virage is a 2+2 coupe, which means two can fit in the front quite comfortably, and two can be wedged into the back for short jaunts. It might be more comfortable to sit in the back in the Aston Martin Virage Volante, which is a convertible. But probably not. You can avoid the suggestion of discomfort completely by ordering the 2+0 option, with a parcel shelf where the seats would be.


Aston Martin Virage Interior


If Aston Martin isn't known the world over for its leather interiors, it should be, and the Virage is no exception, using seven Scandinavian hides to cover the seats. One seamstress does all the stitching in one car to make sure all seams are even. To minimize exterior sound, extra insulation has been added in the coupe, and the Volante has Thinsulate in the headliner.


The wood-trimmed console still houses the push-button gears and a slot for the ECU -- that's the electronic key fob that makes the car go. The Garmin navigation system is an improvement over previous models, Aston Martin says, in that it uses a four-way joystick rather than a touch screen to "prevent unattractive finger marks." As if Aston Martin owners could even possible have unattractive fingers.

Specs


Engine: front mid-mounted 6.0-liter V12
Horsepower: 490 bhp
Torque: 420 lb-ft
Top speed: 186 mph
0-62 mph: 4.6 seconds
Price: TBD