1993 Aston Martin Virage

Aston Martin used the 1988 Birmingham Motor Show to introduce the Virage which served as a replacement for its V8 models. It was more similar in design to the Lagonda than the V8 model it was replacing, with less angular lines and a modern, clean and graceful curves. The chassis was an evolution of the Lagonda's, with double wishbones in the front, and a de Dion tube setup located by triangulated radius rods and a Watts linkage in the back. The all-aluminum body hide the front-mounted 32-valve, 5.3-liter V8 engine which delivered 365 foot-lbs of torque and 330 horsepower. It had Callaway-designed heads and a Weber-Marelli fuel injection system, helping it go from zero-to-sixty mph in 6.5 seconds and reach a top speed nearly 160 mph.

As was common practice for Aston Martin, many of the items on the car were sourced from other companies. The headlights were from the Audi 200 and the taillights came from the Volkswagen Scirocco. General Motors, Jaguar, and Ford provided the steering column, climate control panel, wing mirrors and dash switches.

The Virage was the most luxurious Aston Martin produced to date. The interior had high-quality, hand-stitched leather for the upholstery, with a pleated suede headliner and suede sunvisors, along with mirrored walnut veneers. Amenities included an onboard computer, power memory seats and passive restraint.

The majority of cars were fitted with the Chrysler three-speed Torqueflite automatic transmission. Around forty-percent of the cars were fitted with the five-speed ZF Friedrichshafen manual. The three-speed unit was replaced in 1993 by a four-speed automatic. Near the end of the Virage's production run, a six-speed manual became optional.

The preceding Volante V8 model had been a popular choice for many buyers, so it was little surprise when Aston Martin introduced a soft-top equivalent. The two-seater convertible version, call the Virage Volante, was introduced at the 1990 Birmingham Motor Show. A year later, at the Geneva Motor Show, a 2+2 convertible version was shown. The production examples arrived in 1992 and had the 2+2 configuration. Production continued until 1996 with either 224 or 233 examples produced. The open Volante was heavier than the closed coupe, tipping the scales at over two tons. The weight increase was due to the need to strengthen the body to compensate for the lack of a roof, plus the components needed for the power-operated convertible hood. The electrically powered top had a glass rear window with heated de-misting elements. The open Volante received a slightly lower final drive gearing and its top speed was slightly less than the coupe, yet still capable of 150 mph. An automatic transmission was standard while the five-speed manual was optional.

While the twin-supercharged Vantage was still being developed, Aston Martin offered its customers a 6.3-liter conversion for the 5,340cc V8-engined Virage and Virage Volante that had been developed by R.S. Williams. The '6.3' initially produced 456 horsepower at 6,000 RPM and 460 lb/ft of torque. This resulted in a zero-to-sixty mph time of 5.5 seconds and top speed of nearly 175 mph. To accommodate the increase in power, modifications were made to strengthen the chassis, a sports suspension installed, and larger 18-inch diameter alloy wheels with Goodyear 285/45ZR18 tire helped get the power to the road. Double vented and cross-drilled 14-inch disc brakes were installed on the front wheels. The '6.3' with the 'wide body' configuration had flared wheel arches and new front, side and rear valances.

Many of the Virage Volantes retained the original 5.3-liter engine but with the upgraded bodywork, often referred to as the 'Wide Body.'

In 1996, the name of the Virage was changed to the V8 Coupe. Production continued to 2000 with 1,050 examples produced. It was replaced by the Vanquish, and in 2005 the V8 Vantage re-appeared on a new entry-level model. A new Virage model was introduced in 2011 at the Geneva Motor Show, but was discontinued in 2012 as it had many similarities to other models in the Aston Martin lineup.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2020