Aston Martin Virage Modern (2011–2012) Price Guide

The modern Aston Martin Virage is a genuinely puzzling car and a genuinely appealing one. Unveiled at Geneva in March 2011 to occupy the space between the DB9 and the DBS V12, it lasted barely eighteen months before being withdrawn when Aston Martin concluded the gap didn’t need filling after all. Around 1,000 were built. They are, by most accounts, the hidden gem of the Gaydon era.

The Car

The Virage used the VH bonded aluminium platform in largely the same form as the DB9, but almost all body panels were new; subtly wider, lower, and more muscular than the DB9’s. The front grille, inspired by the One-77 hypercar, gave the car a more purposeful face. The 5,935cc naturally aspirated V12 produced 490bhp at 6,500rpm and 570Nm of torque, split between the DB9’s 470bhp and the DBS’s 510bhp. A six-speed Touchtronic II automatic was the only gearbox offered. There was never a manual option, which reduced the car’s appeal to driving enthusiasts. The carbon-fibre propshaft drove the rear wheels through a 50/50 weight distribution transaxle. An Adaptive Damping System read road conditions and adjusted damping rates in real time. Available as a coupe at launch and Volante convertible from later in 2011, with original asking prices of £150,000 and £160,000 respectively.

What to Know

The Virage shares its platform, engine, and most mechanical components with the DB9 and DBS which means the same ownership considerations apply. Battery management is the perennial issue on Gaydon Astons: the car needs a trickle charger if unused for more than a fortnight. Tail light condensation is a known issue across the 2005–2017 Gaydon range too. The Touchtronic II automatic is smooth and well-calibrated on the Virage; the slightly harder DBS suspension tune was not used here. Coil pack replacement is the recurring engine maintenance item. Any Virage should be checked against the Touchtronic II service requirements as the gearbox benefits from fluid changes that are not always on the standard schedule.

Buying

The Virage offers a persuasive case: more power and a more distinctive body than the DB9 at similar or lower current prices, and none of the DBS’s harsher suspension calibration. The automatic-only specification is the compromise, but for buyers who prefer a torque converter over a robotised manual, the Virage is arguably the most refined grand tourer of the Gaydon era. Values have been rising as buyers discover a car that was overlooked at launch and undervalued since. A low-mileage example with documented Aston Martin or specialist service history is the specification to seek.