Aston Martin Virage – An in depth have a look at this sports activities automotive together with efficiency, technical knowledge, options, evaluating rivals, historical past, used pricesfrom Traditional to ModernTHE CARThe V8 Sequence of Aston Martin sports activities automobiles had been efficiently produced since 1969, and a alternative was effectively overdue.Consequently, in late 1988, and as a pure evolution, the successor was launched on the Birmingham Motor Present as a 2+2 coupe, and designated the Aston Martin Virage sports activities automotive.It was positioned as the corporate’s premier and unique mannequin, and the timing of the launch coincided with the acquisition of the corporate by Ford of the US.When it comes to styling, it is smooth strains, which produced a drag coefficient of simply 0.34, resembled that of a Lagonda slightly than the traditional strains of the V8 Sequence.It was fitted with spoilers each entrance and rear, and classy flush headlights.The affect of Ford was noticeable in the truth that, as a cost-cutting measure, numerous the automotive’s’ elements have been sourced from a variety of corporations, together with the Father or mother.Though it used aluminium physique panels, it was nonetheless a heavy automotive with a curb weight of 1790 kg.When manufacturing resulted in 1995, Aston Martin had constructed a complete of 365 Virage sports activities automobiles.THE ENGINEThe Virage was powered by a front-engined, all aluminium, 5.three litre, 32 valve, DOHC, V8 unit with the pinnacle modified by Callaway Engineering within the US, and included a modified consumption manifold and Weber-Marelli gasoline injection.This developed 330 bhp at 5300 rpm, and 350 ft/lbs of torque at 4000 rpm.Fitted with a ZF 5 velocity guide gearbox and utilizing a 9.5:1 compression, it produced a prime velocity of 158 mph, with 0-60 mph in 6.5 secs.Apparently, nearly all of prospects most well-liked the elective Chrysler three-speed Torqueflite computerized transmission.In the direction of the tip of manufacturing, an elective six velocity guide gearbox from the Vantage sports activities automotive was supplied.In January 1992, as a part of a programme of enhancements, present prospects have been capable of substitute the unique 5.three litre engine with a 6.three litre V8 unit that had been included within the Aston Martin AMR1, a Group C sports activities automotive racer that was entered within the 1989 Le Mans 24 Hours race.The brand new engine developed 500 bhp at 6000 rpm, and 480 ft/lbs of torque at 5800 revs, which gave the automotive a prime velocity of 175 mph.The conversion included becoming bigger vented disc brakes, 18 inch wheels, air dams and aspect air vents.For Technical Knowledge, see unique article belowCOMPETITIONTypical opponents of the Aston Martin Virage sports activities automotive have been the next: Porsche 964 Turbo, and Ferrari 550 Maranello.For Comparative Technical Knowledge, see unique article belowThis concludes my Aston Martin Virage Sports activities Automobile Overview