Guide: Aston Martin Virage
Background
Aston Martin’s V8 engine was developed to replace the straight six that had been around in one shape or another since 1949.
After making its debut in a Lola T70 Mk3 GT at Le Mans in 1967, the production V8 power unit was offered to customers in the DBS, a model which had been created specially to accommodate the new motor.
Production of the DBS V8 began in January 1970.
In 1972, the DBS was restyled and became known simply as the Aston Martin V8. In 1977, a high performance Vantage derivative was introduced and an open top Volante followed in 1978. To tap into the market for limited production specials, a Zagato-bodied iteration was unveiled in 1986.
By this time, Aston Martin knew they would soon need to replace the ageing V8 range with a new model that could meet ever-tightening emissions legislation.
Thankfully, the firm was now financially secure.
Having been placed into receivership on December 31st 1974, Aston Martin had been nursed back to health, first by a multinational consortium and then a partnership led by Victor Gauntlett and Tim Hearley which Peter Livanos later joined.
In September 1987, the Ford Motor Company took a major shareholding in Aston Martin. The American behemoth went on to take full control in 1991 when the new Virage was already in production.
Chassis
Unveiled at the Birmingham Motor Show in October 1988, the Aston Martin Virage was based on a much modified version of the four door Lagonda’s steel platform chassis.
Lighter, stiffer and simpler to make, it had a 2610mm wheelbase which was 306mm shorter than the Lagonda unit upon which it was tenuously based.
Suspension was via all new 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 developed specially for the Virage.
302mm diameter ventilated disc brakes were fitted up front with 279mm solid discs installed at the back. The rear brakes were moved outboard to the wheels whereas the old model had used an inboard layout with discs located beside the final drive.
16 x 8-inch alloy wheels were fitted all round and originally shod with Goodyear tyres.
Compared to the outgoing V8, track was reduced by 102mm and 69mm front to rear.
Power steering was standard and a 103-litre fuel tank was installed.
Engine & Gearbox
As before, the dual overhead camshaft all-alloy 90° V8 displaced 5340cc thanks to a bore and stroke of 100mm and 85mm respectively. In this latest application, it featured Weber-Marelli fuel-injection, new Callaway-designed four valve cylinder heads and the compression ratio was increased from 9.3 to 9.5:1.
As a result of better breathing, the Virage engine was able to overcome the power loss that came with the use of catalytic converters.
Peak power went from 315bhp at 5000rpm to 330bhp at 6000rpm. The torque rating also improved with 350lb-ft on tap at at 4000rpm compared to 345lb-ft at 3500rpm for the old model.
Unlike the previous two valve V8, the Virage engine was a suitable for all markets in a single state of tune.
Transmission options were a ZF five-speed manual or Chrysler three-speed Torqueflite automatic.
Bodywork
The hand-beaten aluminium body was styled in-house and manufactured at the Tickford Works. It retained a traditionally-shaped Aston Martin grille either side of which were headlights sourced from the Audi 200.
Tail lights were from the Volkswagen Scirocco.
Flush-fitting glass improved aerodynamics and contributed to a drag coefficient of 0.35. An undertray similar to that of the Vantage Zagato and an upturned boot-lip combined to produce zero lift.
Brightwork was practically non-existent; the bumpers, wing mirrors and door handles were all body coloured.
The bumpers and skirts were manufactured from fibreglass.
Compared to the old V8, the Virage was 75mm longer, 89mm wider and 3mm taller.
Interior
The high specification interior was completely redesigned and offered more head and leg room than before. Connolly leather, burr walnut veneers and fine carpet covered practically every surface.
Standard equipment included air-conditioning, electric heated front seats, a stereo cassette and CD player, a remote alarm, electric windows and electric mirrors. The driver’s seat also had a memory function interlinked with the mirrors.
Analogue instrumentation was housed within a single binnacle directly behind the two-spoke leather-covered steering wheel. Large gauges for engine and road speed were flanked by smaller read outs for oil pressure and oil temperature, water temperature and fuel.
Housed alongside the instrument binnacle in the centre of the dash was an onboard computer that displayed information using an alpha-numeric display of green LEDs.
Although some of the switchgear was sourced from Ford and Jaguar, the overall atmosphere was of unsurpassed luxury and exceptional build quality.
Cars bound for North America were fitted with an automatic seatbelt feature that meant you could not sit in the front seats without the seatbelt being fastened.
Options
Options were initially limited to a choice of gearbox and a range of colours for the exterior, interior and wheel centres.
Weight / Performance
The Virage weighed in at 1790kg and had a top speed of 158mph.
0-62mph took 5.8 seconds for the manual variant and 6.5 seconds for the automatic.
Production
Production began in spring 1989 and demand exceeded supply; 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.
US deliveries began in the summer of 1990.
Virage Volante
At the Birmingham Motor Show in October 1990 Aston Martin introduced an open top Volante variant. Although at this stage the prototype Volante was a two-seater, a production-spec. 2+2 was subsequently displayed at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1991.
Production started in early 1992.
New 17-inch wheels became an optional extra for both body styles.
Virage 6.3
In January 1992, a Virage with 6.3-litre engine, improved brakes, uprated suspension, bigger wheels and an aggressive new look became available.
The Virage 6.3 was offered as a £50,000 conversion on top of the £135,000 base car. It most notably incorporated an engine derived from the Group C AMR1 racing car.
Bore was increased from 100mm to 103.14mm and stroke was extended from 85mm to 95mm. This gave an overall displacement of 6347cc - a gain of 1007cc.
Compression stayed at 9.5:1 but the engine management system was re-mapped to optimise performance.
The horsepower rating went from 330bhp at 6000rpm to 465bhp at 5750rpm. Torque was also up with 460lb-ft available at 4400rpm compared to 350lb-ft at 4000rpm.
In addition to the new engine, Aston Martin fitted uprated suspension and AP Racing four-piston calipers. New 18-inch OZ Racing five spoke wheels measured 10.5-inches wide and came shod with Goodyear Eagle tyres.
Brake discs were enlarged from 302mm to 362mm at the front and from 279mm to 286mm at the rear. The 6.3 also ushered in a four channel Bosch ABS system that subsequently became standard on the 5.3-litre Virage as well.
Cosmetically, the 6.3 was equipped with flared fenders, modified skirts and bumpers and a rear spoiler. Engine cooling vents were carved out from behind each front wheel.
Top speed rose to 175mph while the 0-62mph time dropped to 5.1 seconds for the manual and 5.7 seconds for the automatic.
The Virage 6.3 was available as a Coupe or Volante. Customers could also specify just the cosmetic enhancements if they wished. Unfortunately, this was the only option for US buyers as the 6.3-litre engine did not meet North American emissions requirements.
Similarly, customers could opt for the 6.3 mechanical enhancements with standard Virage bodywork.
Virage Shooting-break
A couple of months after the 6.3 was introduced, Aston Martin unveiled a Virage Shooting-break at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1992.
Produced in-house, the Shooting-break cost 20% more than a standard Virage but, despite handsome looks and added practically, it did not prove terribly popular. Only six were built.
1993 Updates
During 1993, a series of upgrades were introduced to the Virage range.
The Chrysler Torqueflite automatic gearbox was switched from three to four speeds and 6.3-style wing vents were added to all cars. To meet tighter emissions legislation, output figures were revised down to 310bhp and 340lb-ft.
US imports stopped during 1993 as the Virage did not have a passenger airbag and the car no longer complied with environmental regulations.
1993 also saw the 6.3 conversion further uprated with high-lift camshafts, Cosworth pistons and solid tappets. Output went from 465bhp at 5750rpm to 500bhp at 5850rpm. The torque rating rose from 460lb-ft at 4400rpm to 480lb-ft at 5000rpm.
However, the popularity of the 6.3 conversion began to dwindle when production of the twin supercharged 550bhp Aston Martin Vantage started in early 1993.
Demand dropped further when the entry level DB7 went into production from September 1994.
That year, Aston Martin introduced a number of Virage-based Lagonda specials.
Lagonda Specials
The Lagonda Virage Saloon was a long wheelbase four door sedan. Around half a dozen were built with a 30cm wheelbase extension plus another two with a 46cm extension.
At the same time, a Lagonda Virage Shooting-break was launched. A couple were made with the 30cm longer wheelbase plus six more with 46cm extensions.
The majority of these Lagonda Virages were commissioned by the Brunei royal family.
Virage LE
To use up the last standard Virage chassis, a Limited Edition Coupe was unveiled at the Birmingham Motor Show in October 1994.
The Virage LE came with British Racing Green paint, a V-pattern grille and a 6.3-style front apron. Chrome strips were added along the front bumper and boot lid.
Inside, Aston Martin fitted each car with Saddle Brown or Magnolia leather upholstery, a beige and green leather headliner, burr elm instead of burr walnut inserts and a commemorative brass plaque on the dash.
LE engines came with the uprated Vantage cylinder heads and re-mapped engine management which restored the power output to 330bhp.
Ten were built.
End of Production
Virage production was discontinued in late 1995.
The model was replaced by the Vantage-inspired V8 launched at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1996.
411 Virages were produced in Coupe form along with 233 Volantes.
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: Aston Martin - https://www.astonmartin.com
