1993 Aston Martin V8

Aston Martin Virage/ V8 1990 - 2000

The Aston Martin Virage was first offered in January 1990 as a replacement for the Vantage and Volante models at the top of the Aston Martin range. It uses a 5,340cc, 33obhp DOHC V8 engine with four valves per cylinder and Weber Marelli sequential fuel injection mated to a three-speed (later four-speed) automatic gearbox; a manual five-speed was optional and towards the end of production a six-speed manual was offered.

The Virage began life as a 2+2 sports coupe with a sloping bonnet and black grille flanked by rectangular headlamps, but in December 1991 the convertible 2+2 Virage Volante was introduced with mohair hood and heater glass rear window, otherwise sharing specifications with its coupe twin. In January 1992, Aston Martin offered a 6.3-Litre conversion derived from the AMR1 racing car.

In October 1992, Aston Martin officially offered a shooting brake version, with specification as per the Virage Coupe but with 50/50 split folding rear seats, a luggage blind, electric rear ventilation windows, folding dog guard/grill and long-range (24.9 gallon) fuel tank. In January 1993 this was now offered only as a conversion of the coupe and was officially discontinued in January 1995. Six examples were believed to have been built.

In August 1993, a Vantage model was unveiled with twin Eaton superchargers, six-speed ZF gearbox and a limited slip final drive. The widened body had aluminium panels incorporating side impact beams and 18-inch alloy wheels. The car produced 550bhp and all 240 were coupes except nine bespoke models built in 2000 by Aston Martin as the V8 Vantage Volante. In 1999, a limited run of 40 V8 Vantage Le Mans were built by special commission with highly-uprated specification.

In April 1996 the model was upgraded, with the coupe now known as the V8 Coupe and the convertible as the V8 Volante. Both had an increased power output of 350bhp, six-spoke alloy wheels, auxiliary driving lamps integrated in the front spoiler and full Connolly leather and burr walnut interiors. The range was discontinued in 2000.

In terms of values, Virage and 6.3-Litre conversions are the most collectable of the 'standard' cars, with their values approximately 50% more than the coupe. Vantage models are the most desirable, with Le Mans/ V600 spec cars up to double that of the best V550 Vantage.