2012 Aston Martin Virage
2012 Aston Martin Virage
It will take more than 200 man-hours to build just one car, but we’d expect nothing less from the esteemed Gaydon, Warwickshire-based Aston Martin company. After 15 years, the Virage is coming back to the United States, and it looks decidedly more modern this time around.In its day, the original Virage was heralded as the next great Aston, a daring project that took a bold step away from the V-8s of the time. Today, there’s little pressure on the new model. It will stand on its own, slotted between the DB9 and DBS, although this time around, you’ll have a hard time distinguishing it from its brethren.
2012 Aston Martin Virage
The very first Virage came off the line more than 20 years ago, and offered a five-speed manual or a three-speed automatic. Version 1.0 appeared at the 1988 Birmingham Motor Show in England, and the Virage Volante followed with a 1990 debut. Production ran from 1988 to 1995. As viewed through our modern eyes, the Virage wasn’t particularly powerful — the 5.4-liter V-8 pushed out 325 horsepower and 340 pound-feet of torque as a coupe, and 300 horsepower as a convertible.
2012 Aston Martin Virage
Each weighed over two tons and was fitted with a triangular de Dion rear axle, simplistic parts that would be an unusual sight on today’s sports cars. In 1992, a more powerful 6.3-liter V-8 entered the mix, eventually hitting 465 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. Even more incredibly, 1992 was the first time in Aston Martin’s history that the now-ubiquitous ABS was offered. The Virage cost well over $200,000, similar to today’s base price.
Each weighed over two tons and was fitted with a triangular de Dion rear axle, simplistic parts that would be an unusual sight on today’s sports cars. In 1992, a more powerful 6.3-liter V-8 entered the mix, eventually hitting 465 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. Even more incredibly, 1992 was the first time in Aston Martin’s history that the now-ubiquitous ABS was offered. The Virage cost well over $200,000, similar to today’s base price.
The new Virage will have 12 cylinders. Even if you don’t plan on ever owning an Aston, any enthusiast should at least hope to experience the aural composure afforded by such an exceptionally large crankshaft and 12 cylinders. The 6.0-liter V-12 with 490 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque is part of the tried-and-true Virage formula, capable of sending the vehicle from 0-62 mph in 4.6 seconds with a top speed of 186 mph, according to Aston. Roughly 20 hours are needed to prepare the famed engine alone.
Sources : Motortrend.com
