Aston Martin - Aston Martin Virage / Vantage - 1990s British Cars - 1990s Supercars - 2000s British Cars - 2000s Supercars

Background

Having taken a majority shareholding in Aston Martin during September 1987, the Ford Motor Company assumed full control in 1991.

By the time Aston Martin was solely under Ford’s stewardship, a highly anticipated successor to the long-running V8 line was already in production.

Deliveries of the new 5.3-litre Virage began in spring 1989 following the car’s launch at the Birmingham Motor Show in October 1988. Amid the red hot late 1980s market for high end and collectable cars, demand initially exceeded supply and customers rushed to get their hands on what was the first all new Aston Martin for two decades. Two years of production was sold out before the first customer took delivery.

An open-top Virage Volante prototype subsequently arrived at the Birmingham Motor Show in October 1990 followed by a production version at Geneva in March 1991.

From January 1992, a high performance iteration of the Virage was offered as a £50,000 conversion on top of the £135,000 base car. It most notably incorporated a 6.3-litre engine derived from the Group C AMR1 racing car plus uprated brakes, suspension, wheels and an aggressive new wide-bodied appearance.

The Virage 6.3 was essentially a Virage Vantage in all but name. Traditionally, Aston Martin had applied the Vantage moniker to high performance iterations of existing models exactly like the Virage 6.3.

However, in this instance there was a good reason that the Virage 6.3 was never marketed as a Vantage. The decision became clear when an even wilder standalone model was unveiled at the Birmingham Motor Show in October 1992. Dubbed simply the Aston Martin Vantage, it became the firm’s flagship offering.

When the entry level DB7 was revealed at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1993, Aston Martin would be in possession of a distinct three-car range for arguably the first time in their history.

Vantage production started in October 1992 and the new machine garnered rave reviews from customers and road testers alike. Thanks to its brawny styling, superlative build quality and a twin supercharged 5.4-litre V8 (the most powerful engine ever offered in a production car), the Vantage became a quintessentially British icon of the 1990s motoring scene.

Chassis

Like the Virage, the Vantage was based on a much modified version of the four door Lagonda’s steel platform chassis. It retained the Virage’s 2610mm wheelbase which just about ensured sufficient space for four occupants although the rear quarters were a little cramped if adults were undertaking long journeys in the back of the car.

Suspension was via double wishbones at the front and a cast aluminium de Dion rear axle located by triangulated radius rods and a Watts linkage. Bilstein dampers were fitted all round.

Ventilated disc brakes were installed at each corner. At the front they were the same 362mm discs with with four-piston AP calipers from the Virage 6.3 (the largest available on a production car at the time).

At the back, the 286mm discs from the Virage 6.3 were switched to new 310mm diameter items.

Bosch four-channel ABS as fitted to the Virage 6.3 (and later Virages) was standard.

New 18-inch diameter six-spoke alloy wheels were unique to the Vantage. At 10-inches wide they were half-an-inch narrower than the split rim OZ items used by the Virage 6.3. Goodyear tyres were originally issued and power-assisted steering was standard.

A 105-litre fuel tank was two-litres bigger than the Virage.

Engine / Gearbox

At the heart of the new machine was a twin supercharged version of the Virage’s all-alloy dual overhead camshaft 90° V8.

A pair of intercooled Roots-type Eaton M90 superchargers dominated the space on either side of the engine. Each was driven by a flat belt and fed its own cylinder bank. Individual throttle bodies were also used for each cylinder bank; the arrangement was like having a brace of 2.75-litre engines running a common crankshaft.

As per the Virage, displacement was 5340cc thanks to a bore and stroke of 100mm and 85mm respectively. Similarly, four valve cylinder heads were employed along with wet-sump lubrication.

Fuel-injection was courtesy of a new Bosch sequential system.

The compression ratio was dropped from 9.5:1 to 8.2:1.

In this configuration, peak output was 550bhp at 6500rpm and 549lb-ft at 4000rpm.

For comparison, the 1993 Virage produced 310bhp at 6000rpm and 340lb-ft at 4000rpm. In 6.3-litre trim, the Virage pumped out 465bhp at 5750rpm and 460lb-ft at 4400rpm.

Another key feature of the Vantage was its six-speed manual gearbox (a first for Aston Martin). Transmission was through a twin-plate Valeo clutch and limited-slip differential.

Bodywork

In addition to its formidable new engine, a large part of the Vantage’s appeal was its restyled bodywork – only the roof and doors were imported from the existing Virage.

At the front, six square headlights (three per side) were mounted behind heated glass covers. In between was a traditional Aston Martin-shaped intake aperture complete with a satin black egg-crate grille. Underneath the front bumper was a re-profiled apron with a trio of massive openings to cool the radiator and brakes.

All four wheelarches were flared; behind the front arches were a pair of stylised vents that allowed hot air from the engine to escape. Two banks of slatted vents were also located on the hood (either side of the subtle power bulge). Down each flank were deep body coloured side skirts.

Instead of the Volkswagen Scirocco-sourced rear lights used by the Virage, the Vantage came with a pair of circular lenses on each side of the tail fascia. Underneath the re-configured rear bumper was a deep body coloured apron that shrouded an individual exhaust pipe per side.

Aluminium body panels were used throughout.

Length and height-wise the Vantage was identical to the Virage. Despite those dramatically flared arches, it was only 6mm wider.

Interior

Although the cockpit fixtures and fittings resembled those of the Virage, the Vantage came with an almost completely new interior. As usual, traditional materials like Connolly leather, Wilton carpet and burr walnut veneers were used throughout.

Sports seats were more heavily bolstered than those fitted to the Virage. Switchgear for the electric seat adjustment was located on a control panel on the inner swab bolster.

Directly behind the four-spoke airbag steering wheel was the main instrument binnacle. This housed large analogue read outs for road and engine speed with a small supercharger pressure gauge in between. More small gauges for oil pressure and water temperature were located at either end of the binnacle.

Four small additional read outs (a clock, ammeter, fuel gauge and oil temperature gauge) were located at the top of the centre console. The lower portion of the centre console was home to some fresh air vents, the audio system, the air-conditioning controls and an array of switches.

The electric window switches were located alongside the gear lever on the transmission tunnel.

Fascias for all the various control panels and binnacles were trimmed with highly polished burr walnut inserts to match those in the doors.

The upper dash and gear gaiter were typically upholstered to match the seat piping and rear parcel shelf.

The fluted headlining was normally trimmed in alcantara suede.

Options

As the Vantage came with an extraordinarily high standard specification, options were generally limited to interior and exterior colours, surface materials for the cockpit, a choice of audio systems and telecoms devices.

In addition, by special order a small number of VIP customers had their cars equipped with automatic gearboxes. However, the Vantage was officially only offered as a manual.

Weight / Performance

Compared to the Virage, the Vantage was 200kg heavier (1990kg as opposed to 1790kg).

Nevertheless, performance was astonishing for such a luxuriously equipped machine.

Top speed was 186mph (up from 158mph) and 0-62mph took just 4.5 seconds (down from 5.8 seconds).

Production Changes

From late 1995, the Vantage came with a more heavily silenced exhaust system to meet new emissions and noise requirements.

Soon afterwards, the square headlights were switched to a round projector type unit and a little later exterior mirrors from the DB7 were fitted. Lastly, flush door handles with integral locks (sourced from the Ford Mondeo) replaced the original arrangement.

Vantage V600

At the Birmingham Motor Show in October 1998, Aston Martin announced a Works Prepared Driving Dynamics upgrade known as the V600 package which was offered for new and existing cars.

Thanks to an uprated charge intake cooling system, the V600 produced 600bhp at 6500rpm. It also came with a modified throttle mechanism for improved feel and a Super Sport exhaust system that further enhanced performance.

Instead of the usual six-speed gearbox, Works Service equipped most V600s with a close ratio five-speed unit that offered an improved gearshift linkage and uprated differential ratio.

A switchable traction control system detected slippage of the driven wheels and responded by reducing power until traction had been restored.

The suspension was reconfigured with Eibach springs, adjustable Koni dampers, stiffer anti-roll bars and revised bump stops.

A revised AP Racing brake system offered improved resistance to brake fade and a firmer, more progressive pedal action. New front and rear disc assemblies featured circumferential cooling grooves. Six-piston front calipers offered 50% increase in brake pad area. The existing rear brake caliper was retained (as a parking brake) and an additional four-piston caliper was added.

The standard six-spoke wheels were switched to lightweight hollow spoke magnesium rims supplied by Dymag.

Externally, each car received a Works Prepared badge for the front grille. Under the hood was a new V600-branded airbox.

Top speed was said to be 204mph while the 0-62mph time dropped to 4.1 seconds.

Vantage Le Mans

To commemorate the 40th anniversary of Aston Martin’s victory at the 1959 Le Mans 24 Hours, a limited edition Vantage was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1999.

The Vantage Le Mans was available in standard (V550) and V600 trim. 40 were built to mark the number of years since Roy Salvadori and Carroll Shelby had won at la Sarthe in the legendary DBR1.

Cosmetically, the Le Mans edition featured a blanked off radiator intake with twin openings in each corner, a pair or large hood-mounted cooling vents, DBR1-style vents behind each front wheel and an aluminium alloy fuel filler cap.

Inside, natural aluminium inserts replaced the usual burr walnut parts.

The brakes and Dymag wheels from the V600 were fitted as standard. One special feature of the Le Mans wheels was a cover that concealed the bolts to give the effect of a centre-lock arrangement.

Vantage Volante

In 1998, Aston Martin undertook a feasibility study to assess a potential Volante version of the Vantage.

A prototype was assembled using the long wheelbase chassis from the V8 (which had replaced the Virage in 1996).

It featured an electric canvas roof that, when lowered, could be covered by a tonneau in a similar fashion to previous Volante models.

The car (chassis 70514) was painted Islay Blue with a Dark Blue roof and a mix of Ivory and Pacific Blue upholstery. Aside from an automatic gearbox it was mechanically standard.

Although no further examples of the long wheelbase Volante were built, eight cars were subsequently assembled using the standard short wheelbase chassis from the regular Vantage (depicted above). Each chassis was suitably reinforced around the sills and A-pillars.

These cars were built to mark the end of Vantage production and only offered to Aston Martin’s VIP customers by invitation. Chassis numbers ranged from 71001 to 71008. They were available in V550 and V600 trim.

Vantage Brunei Specials

Throughout the 1990s, the Sultan of Brunei and his brother, Prince Jefri, were prolific buyers of high end European sports and luxury cars. In addition to placing orders for hoardes of standard-bodied machinery, they also commissioned a large number of bespoke models.

Between 1995 and 1998, Aston Martin were asked to produce half-a-dozen coachbuilt variants on the Vantage platform.

Vantage Special Series Type 1 Saloon

First to arrive was a batch of three Vantage Saloons with four door bodywork completed in 1996.

Built by Aston Martin Works Service, these cars were straightforward four door iterations of the standard Vantage. They were built on a long wheelbase chassis and also came with the earliest known version of the V600 engine (as requested by the customer). The interiors were completely redesigned.

Three cars were built (one grey, one black and one red – all right-hand drive) each of which came with an automatic gearbox and chrome-plated wheels.

Vantage Special Series Type 2 Saloon

In addition to the standard-looking Type 1 Saloon, the Brunei royals commissioned Aston Martin Works Service to to produce a trio of Type 2 variants that were also completed in 1996.

Although in many respects this second batch outwardly resembled the Type 1, they were actually entirely redesigned with a softer, more rounded profile. Most obviously different was a brand new back end. Custom interiors were once again fitted.

As per the batch of Type 1 Saloons, three cars were built (one grey, one black and one red), all of which were right-hand drive with V600 engines and automatic gearboxes.

Vantage Pininfarina Speciale (AM3)

Aston Martin were also asked to send a batch of six Vantage rolling chassis out to Italy where they were equipped with Pininfarina-designed bodies between 1996 and 1997.

The Brunei royals were presented with five different proposals dubbed AM1 through AM5. The designs for AM3 and AM4 were ultimately selected and three examples of each were produced. Much of the work was carried out on Pininfarina’s behalf by Turin prototype specialist, Coggiola.

The AM3 was a sleek, curvaceous design with an air-piercing nosecone fashioned from exposed carbonfibre. Three headlights were mounted underneath clear covers either side of a channelled intake duct.

More exposed carbonfibre was found at the back of the car where the upper portion of the tail fascia was shaped to mimic the kind of traditional Aston Martin grille normally found at the front of the car.

Custom wheels were to a six twin-spoke design.

Three examples were built (one grey, one black and one red), all of which were right-hand drive with V600 engines and automatic gearboxes.

Vantage Pininfarina Speciale (AM4)

The AM4 design was more conventional.

The front of the car was actually quite similar to the Aston Martin DB7. Dual headlights were set within satin black shrouds and mounted under clear oval covers. The main intake aperture was also highly reminiscent of the DB7 while, further up, a brace of intricately contoured power bulges were mounted on the hood.

At the back, a rounded tail incorporated the tail lights under a full width smoked glass panel.

Like the AM3, six twin-spoke alloy wheels were fitted.

As usual, three examples were built (one grey, one black and one red), all of which were right-hand drive with V600 engines and automatic gearboxes.

Vantage Special Series 1

Following completion of the Type 1 and Type 2 four-door Saloons, Aston Martin Works Service were commissioned to produce two batches of special-bodied Coupes. They were completed between 1997 and 1998.

The Special Series 1 was a retro design with curvaceous lines inspired by the DB4 GT Zagato.

At the front, single headlights were mounted under shapely covers with chrome-plated bezels. The DB4-style grille was plated to match. Above this was a wide intake aperture that directed fresh air to the engine.

So as to incorporate frameless windows, doors from the DB7 were fitted.

At the back were muscular rear fenders and a sloping tail fascia with two circular lights per side.

After a mock up, three examples were built (one grey, one black and one red), all of which were right-hand drive with V600 engines and automatic gearboxes.

Vantage Special Series 2

The Special Series 2 was a restyled iteration of the Series 1. It had a more modern appearance and featured an array of elaborately shaped panels.

Twin headlights were mounted behind clear glass covers either side of a low profile Aston Martin grille.

Frameless doors from the DB7 were fitted and the flanks were intricately contoured, especially in the lower regions. Polished metal trim panels at the base of the doors further accentuated this effect.

The back end was home to tail lights under more clear glass covers and the boot lid incorporated a discrete kick-up spoiler.

Two of the three cars were black and the other was grey. They were completed between 1997 and 1998 with right-hand drive, V600 engines and automatic gearboxes.