2012 ASTON MARTIN VIRAGE COUPE’
The original V8 powered Virage coupe was launched back in 1988 and remained in production for six years.
The vintage Virage gave way to the next generation of Astons, starting with the DB7, then the DB9, etc, etc, and it seemed the Virage name might be gone forever.
Not so.
Announced at the 2011 Geneva International Motor Show, the luxury GT sports car made a short-lived return during the 2012 model year, with just 656 produced.
The 2012 Virage quite literally fills in the gap between the merely splendid DB9 and the exotic DBS in terms of aggressive styling, engine output, suspension calibration.
The sparingly sculpted body is unmistakably Aston Martin, but with a sharper, more contemporary flair that was intended to take the company into the next generation.
The rear-wheel-drive 2012 Aston Martin Virage is powered by a 6.0-liter V12 that produces 490 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque.
A traditional six-speed automatic transmission with shift paddles is standard.
Aston Martin estimates the Virage goes from zero to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds and claims a top speed of 186 mph.
Standard equipment includes 20-inch wheels, high-performance tires, carbon-ceramic brakes, an adaptive suspension, bi-xenon headlights, LED running lights, front and rear parking sensors, power-folding mirrors, a battery disconnect button (for extended parking), automatic climate control, cruise control, heated eight-way power front seats with power lumbar adjustment and memory functions, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, Bluetooth, a navigation system and a premium sound system with a CD player, satellite radio, auxiliary audio jacks and an iPod/USB interface.
As a testament to the old-world craftsmanship Aston Martin maintains to this day, every Virage interior utilizes seven premium hides from Scandinavia and requires more than 70 man-hours to complete.
The Virage lasted in production for only a single year with 1044 examples built (656 coupes and 388 Volantes) and as such is one of the rarest of the Gaydon built Aston Martins.
ABOUT THIS SPECIFIC EXAMPLE
This particular Aston Martin Virage is basically, a 10-year-old brand-new car.
The Virage has driven only 180 kilometers since new.
The AML Carbon Black exterior colour is a fantastic combination with the contrasting Chancellor Red Leather interior. The color shows a little too red on the pictures but has a nice dark color in real.
The Virage has been kept warm, dry and inactive since it was delivered new to the former owner’s collection which resulted in the extremely low amount of kilometers.
CONDITION EXTERIOR
It is clear to see that the car has always been stored very well.
The glossy black paintwork, has clearly not been exposed to very much of anything at all.
The bodywork is very good and is free of any dents or scratches of any real significance.
Some very minor scratches are visible which is very normal for a car from this age.
The wheels are all undamaged. The windows do not show any scratches or stone chips.
This is clearly a brand new condition car.
CONDITION INTERIOR
The interior of the Virage is in excellent shape.
The Chancellor Red Leather interior with cream piping upholstery is a fantastic combination with the contrasting AML Carbon Black exterior colour.
The door cards are fine, as is the headlining, the carpets, the mats and all interior fixtures and fittings.
The boot is in the same exemplary condition.
The interior of the Aston is probably the most impressive part of the car. It is made with the highest quality materials and it took 70 hours to produce the interior by hand.
The Virage interior is practically wallpapered in aromatic, premium leather.
It’s difficult to find a surface in the Virage that’s not covered in soft leather, alloy trim and even sapphire crystal fill in the blanks.
The driver seat is marvelously comfortable, with ample leg- and headroom for taller drivers.
DRIVING EXPERIENCE
Finally, of course, the driving experience.
The Virage is surprisingly easy to drive, with good outward visibility and a traditional automatic transmission that delivers smooth shifts without the jerkiness associated with fancier automated manuals.
Selecting the Sport setting noticeably increases throttle response and shift speed, and allows gears to be held manually all the way to redline without automatically upshifting.
The car is also quite comfortable, with supportive, heated seats and a compliant ride quality. The trunk is actually quite generous for a sports car.
Imagine yourself in pure luxury with the sound of a roaring V12 behind you.
This car is capable of accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds, but when you want to drive it quietly, this is the perfect grand tourer.
We think a brand new last edition Virage not only will it be an investment, but it’ll provide as much fun as a more modern supercar costing considerably more.
This distinctive extremely rare model is sure to be highly sought-after, offering buyers and collectors a slice of exclusive Aston Martin history.