Background
The Aston Martins that followed on from the DB6 were very obviously from the pen of a different designer.
They took their aesthetic cues from the design zeitgeist of the 60s and 70s, not the 40s and 50s. They also tipped an unapologetic and undisguised nod to America’s muscle cars – the Ford Mustang in particular.
When William Towns’ aggressively beautiful V8s reached the end of their long run, Aston took an altogether different aesthetic direction once again.
Out went any kind of homage to steroidal pony cars, in came a more modern sculpted look underpinned by de Dion tube rear suspension and a double wishbone unit at the front.
Still a fabulously indulgent hand-built car, the Virage managed to retain its gentleman’s club ambience in the face of cost-cutting measures from new owners Ford: measures that included raiding the Ford, GM, Jaguar, Volkswagen and Audi parts bins for all sorts of lights, mirrors, switches and other components.
Despite its size and weight, the Virage was a lively performer, thanks largely to the latest iteration Tadek Marek’s V8 power unit, a 32-valve 5.3L (5,340 cc) V8 delivering 330bhp and 364 lb⋅ft of torque. In automatic guise, the Virage could reach 60 mph in about 6.5 seconds.
The five-speed ZF manual gearbox was fitted to about forty percent of the 1,050 cars produced. For the 1993 model year, the more popular three-speed auto box unit was replaced by a four-speed automatic unit.
Later iterations included Vantage and Vantage Le Mans options, with power ultimately raised to a formidable 604bhp in the latter, which was said to be capable of reaching 62mph in 3.9 seconds.
In 1994 Aston Martin introduced the DB7, designed by Ian Callum and Keith Helfet and based on the Jaguar XJS platform.
Even after the DB7 range grew to include a V12 Vantage model, the Virage remained the premier offering from the marque until production ceased in 2000
