NEW First Pictures..... 2012 Aston Martin Virage

The Aston Martin Virage sits between the enduringly elegant DB9 and overtly sporting DBS, providing customers with a car that remains luxurious and understated but delivers increased performance and crucially performance that is always accessible for effortless driving. Aston Martin’s revered hand-built 6.0 litre V12 engine produces 490 bhp (365 kW/497 PS) and 570 nM (420 lb. Ft) of torque and through its carbon fibre prop shaft, is mated to a six-speed Touchtronic II automatic transmission mounted on the transaxle contributing to perfect 50:50 weight balance.

Aston Martin Virage will be delivered with Carbon Ceramic Matrix (CCM) brakes as standard, offering progressive and tremendous stopping power. The Aston Martin Virage sits low and wide asserting the power which lies beneath; single bi-xenon headlamps follow the lines of the car’s flanks to give a more crisp and modern look from the front. A new aluminium metal front grille, inspired by the One-77, features five horizontal vanes which are chamfered creating an aerofoil profile. The new front bumper is pure and relieves the car of any visual complexities, contributing to the overall simplicity of design. The front wings distinguish the Aston Martin Virage from its stable mates housing a new modern interpretation of the Aston Martin iconic side strake housing six LEDs elegantly forming the side repeater. Aston Martin Virage’s side sills carry the simplicity of the front bumper through to the rear diffuser which houses a body-coloured blade accentuating the width of the car.

The new Virage Volante features a solidly-mounted rear subframe as well as front and rear shear panels which deliver high levels of rigidity. This means that the Virage Volante retains its sporting dynamic characteristics, uncompromised by the open roof. For the first time on an Aston Martin the Virage coupe also uses a shear panel at the rear of the car, again to enhance strength and rigidity.

Sitting at the heart of any Aston Martin sports car is an evocative engine and no more so in the new Virage which adopts the famous hand-built 6.0 litre V12 which is assembled in Aston Martin’s bespoke engine plant in Köln, Germany. The Aston Martin Virage engine produces 490 bhp (365 kW/497 PS) and 570 nM (420 lb. Ft) of torque and is identified from other V12s in the family with a black plenum. The plenum houses a new ‘five pillar design’ increasing the rigidity of the manifold delivering an improved sound quality. The V12 has been designed to deliver over 85% of Virage’s peak torque at only 1,500 rpm providing for instant and crucially, real-world useable traction.

In coupe form, Aston Martin Virage is available as a 2+2 or a 2+0 as an option, the latter providing a rear parcel shelf ideal for soft bags, while also reducing weight.