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| 2012 Aston Martin Virage and Virage Volante |
Back in 1989, Aston Martin launched the Virage as a replacement to the Aston Martin V8 sportscar. Production is ended in 2000 but in the year 2011, Aston Martin decided to give the Virage another try as the new Virage, the latest debutante in the Aston Martin lineup consisting of the DB9, DBS, V8 Vantage, V8 Vantage S, V12 Vantage, and the Toyota iQ-based Cygnet compact.
On the exterior design, playboys have a high chance to be confused because the new Virage looks more the same as the Aston Martin DB9 or DBS. The front, the rear, the side, everything looks the same but to help them obtain the Virage, look for the Virage badge on it.
This also applies to the interior as well, the new Virage really looks the same as the DB9 or the DBS. To solve this, look for the Virage marking on the interior. Looks like Aston Martin wants us to play the guessing game, figuring out which is the DB9 or the 21st century Virage.
The 21st century Virage comes in two forms, the coupe and the open-top Volante, and both of these variants come with the high-performance 6.0-litre V12 engine that has the power output of 490bhp/6500rpm, torque output of 420lbs-ft/5750rpm, and it comes with the 6-speed Touchtronic Auto transmission. This V12 engine complies with Euro V emission standards.
My Comment:
Reviving the Virage name can be a tough act to follow from the premiere Kuwaiti-owned British sports car maker but despite the revival, the 21st century Aston Martin Virage looks more like a carbon copy of the Aston Martin DB9. Can the Virage replace the DB9? Aston Martin says no because the DB9 still lives on despite the addition of the Virage in the list of Bond cars ready to be commissioned for Her Majesty's Secret Service. If James Bond meets the Virage face to bumper, will he accept the offer from Her Majesty's Secret Service? If he does, this is going to be a wild ride.
I can always think that this is the spiritual successor to the V12 Vanquish...
Photo: Aston Martin