Virage

Aston Martin Virage is a nameplate that has appeared in two distinct eras. The original Virage was unveiled at the Birmingham Motor Show in October 1988 and entered production for the 1989 model year as Aston Martin’s new grand touring flagship for the 1990s. It was positioned as the modern successor to the company’s long-running V8 series, blending traditional hand-built Aston Martin character with a more contemporary body style. The Virage family expanded soon after launch to include the Volante convertible, and later the higher-performance Vantage derivative, while the range evolved through the 1990s into related V8 Coupe and long-wheelbase Volante models before ending in the mid-1990s. Aston Martin later revived the Virage name for a separate second production period in the 2010s, with Virage models appearing in the 2011–2012 model years as a refined grand tourer positioned between the DB9 and Vanquish. That revival included both coupe and Volante versions and continued the marque’s tradition of combining elegant styling with V12 power and long-distance touring comfort. Because the Virage name was used for two non-continuous production runs, it is best understood as a recurring Aston Martin nameplate rather than a single uninterrupted model line. Among enthusiasts, the original Virage is significant as one of the key transition cars that bridged Aston Martin’s classic Newport Pagnell era and its more modern 1990s identity, while the later Virage kept the name alive for a new generation of buyers.