Aston Martin Virage
| Aston Martin Virage/Vantage/V8 Coupe/V8 Volante LWB | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Aston Martin |
| Production | 1989–2000 1,050 produced 2011–2012 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Grand tourer (S) |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Aston Martin V8 Vantage |
| Successor | Aston Martin V8 Vantage |
| Virage | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Production | 1989–1995 365 produced |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 2-door 2+2 coupé |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 5.3 L V8 |
| Transmission | 5-/6-speed manual 3-/4-speed automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,610 mm (102.8 in) |
| Length | 4,735 mm (186.4 in) |
| Width | 1,855 mm (73.0 in) |
| V8 Coupe | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Production | 1996–2000 101 produced |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 2-door 2+2 coupé |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 5.3 L V8 |
| Virage Volante | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Production | 1992–1996 233 produced |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 2-door 2+2 convertible |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 5.3 L V8 |
| V8 Volante Long Wheelbase | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Production | 1997–2000 63 produced |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 2-door 2+2 convertible |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 5.3 L V8 |
| Vantage/Le Mans | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Production | 1993–2000: 280 produced Volante, 2000: 8 SWB, 1 LWB |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 2-door 2+2 coupé 2-door 2+2 convertible |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 5.3 L supercharged V8 |
| Virage | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Production | 2011–2012 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 2-door 2+2 coupé or convertible (Volante) |
| Related |
Aston Martin DB9 Aston Martin DBS |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 5.9 L V12 |
The Aston Martin Virage is an automobile produced by British manufacturer Aston Martin as a replacement for its V8 models. Introduced at the Birmingham Motor Show in 1988, it was joined by the high-performance Vantage in 1993, and the name of the standard car was changed to V8 Coupe in 1996.
This V8-powered car was intended as the company's top model, with the 6-cylinder 1994 DB7 positioned below it. Although the DB7 was switched to a V12 engine and claimed a performance advantage, this V8 model 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 of all Virage related models had been produced. The V8 Vantage name reappeared on a new entry-level model in 2005.
A new generation Virage was introduced at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, to fit into the middle of Aston Martin's current lineup.
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, with a de Dion tube rear suspension, located by triangulated radius rods and a Watts linkage, and a double wishbone unit at the 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.
...
Wikipedia