Aston Martin Virage: GT Review, Specs, And Ownership

The Aston Martin Virage represents a sweet spot in the brand’s lineup, offering a harmonious blend of grand touring comfort and sports car agility. Produced in the early 2010s, it slots between the more accessible DB9 and the high-performance DBS, powered by an enhanced 6.0-liter V12 engine producing 490 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque. This front-engine, rear-wheel-drive machine accelerates from 0-62 mph in 4.6 seconds and reaches a top speed of 186 mph, making it a compelling choice for enthusiasts seeking refined power without extreme track focus.

Engineering Foundations and Powertrain

At its core, the Virage utilizes Aston Martin’s bonded aluminum VH architecture, shared with the DB9 and DBS, providing exceptional structural rigidity comparable to an aircraft carrier’s deck. This platform supports a near-perfect 50/50 weight distribution, achieved by mounting the V12 as far back as possible in the engine bay and pairing it with a rear-mounted transaxle six-speed automatic transmission. The final drive ratio has been shortened for improved low-end punch, enhancing acceleration without sacrificing high-speed composure.

The naturally aspirated V12, hand-assembled with meticulous craftsmanship, delivers smooth, torquey performance across the rev range. While not the most powerful in its class—lagging behind rivals like the Ferrari 458 Italia or Mercedes SLS AMG—its 490 bhp splits the difference between the DB9’s 470 bhp and DBS’s 510 bhp, offering approachable yet thrilling output. Paddle shifters mounted behind the steering wheel allow precise gear selection, ideal for spirited canyon runs or effortless highway cruising.

Exterior Design and Aerodynamics

Aston Martin’s signature styling shines on the Virage, with a redesigned front grille, bumper, and LED-accented side strakes that evoke familiarity while introducing subtle modernity. Refined rocker panels and a new rear diffuser improve airflow and visual stance, contributing to the car’s poised grand tourer silhouette. Available in coupe or Volante convertible forms, the Volante adds just £10,000 to the coupe’s price but maintains structural integrity with minimal flex, thanks to reinforced sills and a power-folding fabric roof that operates in 18 seconds.

Standard 20-inch wheels wrapped in Pirelli P Zero tires provide a planted footprint, balancing grip with ride compliance. The coupe measures approximately 4.6 meters long, with a wide track emphasizing its muscular presence without overwhelming urban maneuverability. Aerodynamic tweaks, including active dampers and a subtle rear spoiler, ensure stability at triple-digit speeds.

Luxury Interior Craftsmanship

Step inside, and the Virage envelops occupants in a sanctuary of premium materials: Bridge of Weir leather (seven hides per car), walnut veneers, aluminum trim, and carbon fiber accents. Aston claims 70 man-hours of hand-stitching per interior, a testament to Gaydon’s artisan heritage. Armchair-like seats offer ample room for two adults, with a nominal 2+2 configuration that’s more practical for light luggage than rear passengers.

The cockpit layout prioritizes driver engagement, with a meaty steering wheel, rising gauge cluster, and intuitive analog dials. However, the infotainment lags behind contemporaries—a reskinned Garmin unit with fashion-over-function console buttons—highlighting the era’s tech limitations. Climate control, navigation, and audio systems are functional, but the overall ambiance elevates every journey to symphonic levels.

Driving Dynamics and Suspension

The Virage excels in delivering relaxed poise at speed, courtesy of its adaptive suspension with three modes: Normal, Sport, and Track. Even in standard settings, it absorbs sharp bumps better than most Astons, save the Rapide, thanks to revised dampers and compliance-tuned bushings. The 20-inch wheels contribute to a firm yet forgiving ride, ideal for GT loafing or undulating B-roads.

Steering is precise without being overly heavy, providing clear feedback on front tire grip and chassis balance. Despite the V12’s front weight bias, turn-in is eager, with mild understeer as the preferred trait—predictable and confidence-inspiring, especially in slippery conditions. Body control is exemplary, with snappy transient responses and flat cornering, allowing drivers to hustle through twisty routes like California’s Ortega Highway with ease.

In Sport mode, responses sharpen, but the setup avoids harshness, maintaining a compliant ride even stiffened. Brakes, with carbon-ceramic options on higher trims, deliver progressive stopping power. The Volante mirrors the coupe’s dynamics, with negligible rigidity loss and a standard wind deflector minimizing turbulence at speed.

Performance Benchmarks

• 0-60 mph: Approximately 4.5 seconds (coupe), aided by shortened gearing.
• Quarter-mile: Around 12.9 seconds at 117 mph.
• Top Speed: 186 mph, electronically limited.
• Fuel Economy: Around 15 mpg combined, typical for V12 GTs.
• Weight: Roughly 3,800 lbs (coupe), 200 lbs more than DBS due to aluminum construction.

These figures position the Virage as a torquey all-rounder, prioritizing usability over outright lap times.

Coupe vs. Volante: Which to Choose?

The coupe offers purer structural dynamics and a stealthier profile, ideal for year-round versatility. The Volante, with its retractable roof, transforms drives into open-air symphonies, where the V12’s roar and wind symphony elevate coastal cruises. Wind noise is well-suppressed roof-up, and the deflector proves essential roof-down. Both share identical powertrains, ensuring no performance compromise.

Ownership and Market Position

Priced from around £140,000 new (2011), the Virage undercut the DBS while offering similar tech like adaptive dampers and carbon brakes. Owners praise its understated elegance, superior interior to the DBS, and V12 soundtrack. Two years in, it’s described as “excellent,” blending striking looks with daily usability. Today, used examples appeal to collectors valuing hand-built authenticity in a digital age.

Maintenance reflects its low-volume production: specialized service at Aston dealers, with V12 upkeep demanding premium fuel and oils. Fuel thirst (15 mpg) suits occasional use, but reliability matches the brand’s reputation for durable, characterful machines.

Virage in Context: Rivals and Legacy

Against the Ferrari 458 or Porsche 911 Turbo, the Virage trades raw speed for GT refinement. Its V12 excess embodies British excess at its finest—the last of hand-built Astons before intensified hybridization. Videos and reviews hail it as an anachronistic gem, with well-judged steering and chassis poise.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)