Aston Martin History - Aston Martin Virage V8 & Virage Volante Cabriolet

Aston Martin History - Aston Martin Virage V8 & Virage Volante Cabriolet - The Virage was Aston Martin's replacement for the decades-old V8 models. Introduced at the Birmingham Motor Show in 1988. When compared to the preceding V8, the design was fresh and more modern. It looked more like a Lagonda than the V8 it replaced. The Virage was a large, heavy car in spite of its all-aluminum body, but the 32-valve 5.3 L (5,340 cc) V8 engine's 494 N·m (364 lb·ft) torque elevated its performance to near sports car levels. The Virage Volante convertible debuted at the 1990 Birmingham Motor Show as a strict two-seater, but a 2+2 version was shown at the 1991 Geneva Motor Show. Production examples, beginning in 1992, were all to feature 2+2 seating. It is estimated that between 224 and 233 examples had been produced when the series ended in 1996.