2012 Aston Martin Virage by Q is distinctive, exclusive and unquestionably superfluous

Michael Harley — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 20:41:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Aston Martin, Design/Style, Luxury

In the stratospheric zone of the automotive atmosphere, being unique is every bit as important as going blindingly fast or bathing oneself in luxury. To address the need, Aston Martin has introduced Q, a service that goes far beyond standard paint palettes, leather finishes and wood trims. In the automaker's own words, Q is defined as "a team that brings Aston Martin's designers together with the company's engineers and highly experienced craftspeople, allowing customers to enhance and personalize their Aston Martin with meticulous attention to detail."

The automaker recently sent Q a Virage for the full treatment (a blank check was apparently stuffed in the glove box). What emerged is emphatically unique, but it is also fascinating and rather odd at the same time. Nevertheless, we found it on display at the Geneva Motor Show.

The show car is a Virage Volante sporting a Mariana Blue satin paint finish. The interior is configured with blue carbon-fiber, saddle leather floor mats, and yellow detailing. Other components include lightweight forged diamond-turned wheels, a track-day HD video camera mounted on the header (looking much sleeker than any GoPro) and a completely silly rear luggage rack.

Check out our live gallery from the floor, read through the press release and then take a look at some of the automaker's images including a Cherry Tree Cygnet, a bespoke city car.

Continue reading 2012 Aston Martin Virage by Q is distinctive, exclusive and unquestionably superfluous

2012 Aston Martin Virage by Q is distinctive, exclusive and unquestionably superfluous originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Mar 2012 20:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aston Martin releases details on 2012 Virage Coupe and Volante

Michael Harley — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Aston Martin

2012 Aston Martin Virage Coupe - Click above for high-res image gallery

Aston Martin has taken the wraps of its new Virage Coupe and Virage Volante. Both models are based on the automaker's VH architecture - so they're "all-new"... kinda - and are meant to slot in between the DB9 and the DBS in the lineup. The bonded aluminum chassis, with aluminum, magnesium and composite body panels, receives the familiar 6.0-liter V12 rated at 490 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque. The standard transmission (a rear transaxle) is a six-speed automatic "Touchtronic 2" gearbox, helping to deliver a 0-60 time of about 4.5 seconds and maxing out at a top speed of 186 miles per hour.

The suspension is double-wishbone on all four corners, with Aston Martin's Adaptive Damping System (ADS) with Sport mode as standard equipment. Wheels are 20-inch alloys, mounted over carbon ceramic disc brakes at all four corners (six-piston calipers up front, four-piston units in the rear), with Pirelli P Zero tires standard.

No word yet on pricing or availablity (feel free to read through the press release after the break), but we'll be getting all the details on the new Virage at next week's Geneva Motor Show. Expect driving impressions to come... soon.

Gallery: 2012 Aston Martin Virage Coupe

Gallery: 2012 Aston Martin Virage Volante

[Source: Aston Martin]

Continue reading Aston Martin releases details on 2012 Virage Coupe and Volante

Aston Martin releases details on 2012 Virage Coupe and Volante originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Feb 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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