Aston Martin Virage.
Discussion
More details and pictures here:
http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/AllCars/...
I see that it is a new SatNav unit too. I wonder what software it is running?
http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/AllCars/...
I see that it is a new SatNav unit too. I wonder what software it is running?
blackice1 said:
The Vantage S isnt a stunt , it is a completely different car , and i must say a amazing one after driving one round millbrook for the day.
Like the Virage is completely different as well 
The S is a current 4.7 with one more gear in the box, a few mm & 2 pistons on the brakes, a few more ponies and talks. Oh and a few bits from the V12 and options list
Biggest difference is the sudden jump in the number of electronic aids!
Don't get me wrong it's a good car, but as someone in the target market I'm not remotely interested.
I'm going to stick with my 4.7 with sports pack
until the V12 roadster actually becomes reality
)BTW it is good to see an AM employee fighting the corner
Theres a few things I like about the Virage that show the way forward across the range. The new lights presumably include DRLs, which will be needed across Europe soon, so we might see them fitted to Vantages before too long. The styling tweaks balance the longer lights, and the more angular 'edgy' lines on the car bring it up to date, without having to change the whole body.
Some nice touches inside, particularly the Garmin satnav, and much better looking seat adjusters that suddenly make the old ones look cheap.
More power and ceramic brakes are always good.
Overall the car looks a bit more modern, its a bit better dynamically, and whilst we might all recognise it as a parts bin upgrade, it gives all the mags a reason to do another Aston Martin feature so helps sales across the range.
Some nice touches inside, particularly the Garmin satnav, and much better looking seat adjusters that suddenly make the old ones look cheap.
More power and ceramic brakes are always good.
Overall the car looks a bit more modern, its a bit better dynamically, and whilst we might all recognise it as a parts bin upgrade, it gives all the mags a reason to do another Aston Martin feature so helps sales across the range.
mikey k said:
Like the Virage is completely different as well
The S is a current 4.7 with one more gear in the box, a few mm & 2 pistons on the brakes, a few more ponies and talks. Oh and a few bits from the V12 and options list
Biggest difference is the sudden jump in the number of electronic aids!
Don't get me wrong it's a good car, but as someone in the target market I'm not remotely interested.
I'm going to stick with my 4.7 with sports pack
until the V12 roadster actually becomes reality )
BTW it is good to see an AM employee fighting the corner
Well Thank you Mikey.The S is a current 4.7 with one more gear in the box, a few mm & 2 pistons on the brakes, a few more ponies and talks. Oh and a few bits from the V12 and options list
Biggest difference is the sudden jump in the number of electronic aids!
Don't get me wrong it's a good car, but as someone in the target market I'm not remotely interested.
I'm going to stick with my 4.7 with sports pack
until the V12 roadster actually becomes reality
)BTW it is good to see an AM employee fighting the corner
By the way you have missed alot more differences than that, and the will not be a V12 roadster sorry.
All i can say is when available go drive one , as i did back to back testing against a N420 and the Vantage S , and the difference is massive.
What they have definately done is to pick up on some of the subtle styling changes on the Rapide which is a much more elegant thing than a DB9 from the front. I'm not sure about the sidestrakes - I think that they are a little too close to a 6-series BMW (who were busy trying to get as close as they could to the Aston without breaching copyright.) Drive it and see, i suppose must be the answer. This could be a really beautiful thing is some of the subtler shades with a nice rich interior.
Edited by cardigankid on Friday 25th February 16:27
Valentin said:
...
Also why didn't they just call it DB9 ( MY12)? Using the Virage name doesn't bother me, but why didn't they wait until they have a new model for a new name?
It seems to be increasingly evident that the people who decide such things have zero awareness of the "brand" and it's marketing. Or the history of the firm. Also why didn't they just call it DB9 ( MY12)? Using the Virage name doesn't bother me, but why didn't they wait until they have a new model for a new name?
The front lights were my least favourite part of the DB9, so that change is welcome (there's no way these lights would work on the V8 - too long). The rest, though, are just bits that should have been changed years ago.
I fear Aston are in trouble. No truly new product seems to be on the horizon, and like a few others have noted the constant rehashing of the old (but admittedly very good) product is going to do them no favours.
I'll be looking to change my V8V in the next 24mths or so. I love much to do with the marque - the service I've received from my main dealer; the car; the "Aston" experience. But I really cannot see me buying another at this rate. I may give a DBS a go, but the V12V (let alone the 'S', N420, Edition Black etc) isn't different enough to the V8V I have in those intangible ways that make buying a car at this end of the market "sensible". And the "Virage" is...a DB9 with new front lights.
I suspect I'll be going back Italian for a bit until/if Aston deliver something new that's as good as the V8V was 6yrs ago...or the DB9 was 8yrs ago.
Also, guys, I think that you are missing something here.
Apart from the technological advances, and if we accept what Aston say, which seems to be that this car delivers the performance and handling of the DBS is a less WRC manner, the Virage is a step towards delivering equally fast but sexier more curvaceous Aston Martins (characterized in the past by the 4, 5 and 6).
The DB9 and even more so the DBS are taut and hard edged designs. The Virage is flowing, with its bigger hips and softer nose detailing. This is a gorgeous looking car, and I would have one in a nanosecond givwen the funds. This is a big step forward.
By contrast, Jaguar with the XKRS looks as if it is taking a major step in the wrong direction, which I greatly regret.
Apart from the technological advances, and if we accept what Aston say, which seems to be that this car delivers the performance and handling of the DBS is a less WRC manner, the Virage is a step towards delivering equally fast but sexier more curvaceous Aston Martins (characterized in the past by the 4, 5 and 6).
The DB9 and even more so the DBS are taut and hard edged designs. The Virage is flowing, with its bigger hips and softer nose detailing. This is a gorgeous looking car, and I would have one in a nanosecond givwen the funds. This is a big step forward.
By contrast, Jaguar with the XKRS looks as if it is taking a major step in the wrong direction, which I greatly regret.
Got the opportunity to poke around the Virage at Press Day:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0V2wDvbgSxI&...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0V2wDvbgSxI&...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0V2wDvbgSxI&...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0V2wDvbgSxI&...
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