Aston Martin Dropping Virage from Lineup, Repositioning DB9 in its Wake (original) (raw)

2012 Aston Martin Virage Volante and Virage

We’ve learned that Aston Martin will drop the Virage coupe and convertible from its lineup after a little more than a year of being on sale. In case you can’t recall all of the (minute) differences between the various Aston Martins out there, the DB9-based Virage was introduced for 2012 as a niche-filler to slot between the DB9 and the DBS.

How small was the niche that the Virage was designed to fill? Well, the outgoing DB9’s V-12 engine produces 470 hp while the now-defunct DBS made 510 hp. The Virage’s V-12—shared with both the DB9 and the DBS—churned out 490 hp. When it launched, however, the Virage boasted relatively unique styling compared to other Astons, but even that selling point is pretty much moot. A new DB9 is coming and, based on a naked prototype we captured being tested, will get Virage-like styling. Our European sources tell us that the new DB9 will get a bump in power to Virage-like numbers, repositioning the DB9 to take the Virage’s place.

These developments likely spelled out the Virage’s fate. With the Virage’s exit from the lineup, Aston Martin is left with just four main models that kind of, sort of all look the same (excepting the bizarre Cygnet city car): Vantage, DB9, Rapide, and Vanquish.

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Alexander Stoklosa has been editing, writing, and reviewing cars for Car and Driver since 2010. Occasionally, he takes a subpar photograph or whips together a cheesy illustration to the chagrin of C/D’s art staff. More often he can be found taking needlessly contrarian positions in inter-office car debates.