I sat in a Virage today...

[don4l]

... and all I can say is Wow!

The funny thing is that I cannot see how it is different to the DB9. However, it did feel different.


It felt like it was bigger. Is it?

I really do not know what the difference was, but it was different.

Can anybody explain?

Don

--

[Grant3]

I agree it has a slightly more upmarket feel - piping for the leather, alloy seat controls, new nav screen, other upmarket touches, much also depends on the colour combination IMO. Glad you liked it.

[Jockman]

Different interior, extra 20 bhp, all new external bodywork excl the roof, Adaptive Damping, Carbon Ceramic Brakes, B&O System, TT2 auto only, enhanced Satnav, 2+2 or 2+0 coupe versions, built in Cologne......

I felt the same on the prodrive.

Some of these extras are already being included in the updated DB9s

[George H]

Technically it is slightly bigger, but we are talking at maximum by 20mm in width / length.

I haven't sat in one yet, but judging by pictures the interior looks much more refined. Just with the little touches like the plastic electric seat movers changed from plastic to metal. Are the gear selecting buttons made of glass too? Certainly looks like it.

[Jockman]

Don, you've enticed me into digging out the catalogue I was given during my Virage prodrive.

Thank you for affording me the opportunity to question my pre-conceived notions, you git

Other differences (especially to older DB9s) include, though are not exclusive to...

stainless steel grille
new intake meshes
bi-xenon headlights
choice of 2 recessed bonnet vents
new side strakes with integrated LEDs
new rear diffuser
additionale layer of Thinsulate on gaylord volante roof
3 stage DSC
Increased sound proofing
new pinstripe welt on the seats and door inserts
Premium Audio with optional B&O
20" 5 spoke alloys with 4 options

No wonder it felt different

[George H]

Jockman said:

choice of 2 recessed bonnet vents
new side strakes with integrated LEDs

Are they the nice vents with the 3 slats that are currently mesh in the DB9? If so, what is the other option?

The updated side strakes with the indicators in are a much needed improvement too. The little circle indicators are one of my least favourite things about the car, looks seriously dated. I would prefer to see little LEDs in the wing mirrors though.

Jockman said:

additionale layer of Thinsulate on gaylord volante roof

Where does this hatred jealousy of Volantes come from Jockman? Is it that being middle-aged you have an ever growing bald spot that you wish to hide from the world in your coupe?

[Jockman]

George H said:

Are they the nice vents with the 3 slats that are currently mesh in the DB9? If so, what is the other option?

Where does this hatred jealousy of Volantes come from Jockman? Is it that being middle-aged you have an ever growing bald spot that you wish to hide from the world in your coupe?

Georgeous, I quote the blurb...

"...available in a choice of 2 styles for added personalisation. The bolder of the 2 options features a stepped design, reminiscent of a shark's gills, bringing added animation to the detailing."

So I assume the other design is non-stepped ???

Always wondered why Carbon Ceramic Brakes were abbreviated to CCMs, and it's due to the addition of the word Matrix. D'oh !

The 3 stage DSC looks clever (as opposed to the standard on/off 2 stage one), though not sure how often I would use the 'Track' mode.

That extra layer of Thinsulate is "...to further muffle wind noise and give additional protection from the elements."

My wife used to have a convertible Z4 2.5si and I loved bombing around in it so I understand the appeal, but I gradually stopped loving it and realised it wasn't quite me.

Enjoy your car

Edited to say just looked in the mag again and the other vent design is 7 slat design, similar to the front grille.

[George H]

I think the 7 slat design is similar to the one on the Rapide (or maybe it is an option on it). Looks quite nice, but I prefer the 3 slat one. I hope you still see the heat haze emerging from them when you stop, I love that.

I hope that it doesn't mean there is less headroom in the Virage volante with this extra layer compared to the DB9, I struggle with that already.

I don't think I would ever use the track mode either, seems a bit pointless for this style of car imo. Maybe for the DBS at a push, but not one with more of a GT side.

[brakedwell]

It also lacks the whiff of old fart - according to James May!

[don4l]

Jockman said:

Don, you've enticed me into digging out the catalogue I was given during my Virage prodrive.

Thank you for affording me the opportunity to question my pre-conceived notions, you git

Other differences (especially to older DB9s) include, though are not exclusive to...

stainless steel grille
new intake meshes
bi-xenon headlights
choice of 2 recessed bonnet vents
new side strakes with integrated LEDs
new rear diffuser
additionale layer of Thinsulate on gaylord volante roof
3 stage DSC
Increased sound proofing
new pinstripe welt on the seats and door inserts
Premium Audio with optional B&O
20" 5 spoke alloys with 4 options

No wonder it felt different

TBH, most of your list are exterior items. What puzzled me was that the interior felt so different.

I ended up moving between the DB9 and the Virage several times to see if I could spot what made such a (for me) big difference. If the interior is 20mm wider, then that could explain things, but I am shocked that such a small distance could affect my perception so much.

Don
--

[DB9 Ian P]

I have test driven both the Coupe and the Volante - and I too could not believe how much better it feels than my 9. The quality of the leather is far superior and the materials they have used for the seat memory buttons also improve the environment.

The adaptive suspension is a big improvement, loved the ceramic brakes and the throttle also feels sharper. Can't say that I came away feeling that the car was bigger - but definitely would like one just need them to come down in price

Guess I will just have to be patient - but not good at that.

[KarlFranz]

Makes you wonder why they didn't just call it the DB10 and be done with it. Since it sits smack-dab in the slot between a DB9 and DBS in price and performance, the DB9 doesn't really have anywhere to go. Any improvements done to the DB9 in fit, finish, hp, etc. now would encroach upon the Virage's market.

Unfortunately, the Virage (like the Vantage S) is not available with a proper manual box. It seems like a self-fulfilling prophecy: manufacturers produce more and more cars only available in automated manuals or full automatics and then claim that the majority of sales are for these. Then they announce that they are discontinuing sales of the manual boxes, because their sales reflect little interest in them.

[Jockman]

KarlFranz said:

Makes you wonder why they didn't just call it the DB10 and be done with it. Since it sits smack-dab in the slot between a DB9 and DBS in price and performance, the DB9 doesn't really have anywhere to go. Any improvements done to the DB9 in fit, finish, hp, etc. now would encroach upon the Virage's market.

Indeed.

Reinforces the rumours about a future move away from the 'DB' sequence

As noted, new DB9s are being produced with some of these enhancements added on

[George H]

Is there a reason why the engine in the Virage is painted black instead of the usual silvery-white?

[JohnG1]

George H said:

Is there a reason why the engine in the Virage is painted black instead of the usual silvery-white?

Flaps?

The N400 inlet manifold box is black.

[George H]

JohnG1 said:

Flaps?

The N400 inlet manifold box is black.

The entire block is painted black going off AM's website


http://astonmartin.com/cars/virage-coupe/specs

Looks really good imo.

[JohnG1]

George H said:

The entire block is painted black going off AM's website


http://astonmartin.com/cars/virage-coupe/specs

Looks really good imo.

I think it's because of flaps in the inlet system. The inlet plenum in the N400 is black - normally silvery. The Virage V12 has two plenums and both are black.

I think black signifies flaps...

[DB9VolanteDriver]

JohnG1 said:

Flaps?

The N400 inlet manifold box is black.

Marketing. This way the DB9, DBS and Virage motors all look different.

[Grant3]

KarlFranz said:

Makes you wonder why they didn't just call it the DB10 and be done with it. Since it sits smack-dab in the slot between a DB9 and DBS in price and performance, the DB9 doesn't really have anywhere to go. Any improvements done to the DB9 in fit, finish, hp, etc. now would encroach upon the Virage's market.

Unfortunately, the Virage (like the Vantage S) is not available with a proper manual box. It seems like a self-fulfilling prophecy: manufacturers produce more and more cars only available in automated manuals or full automatics and then claim that the majority of sales are for these. Then they announce that they are discontinuing sales of the manual boxes, because their sales reflect little interest in them.

Very shrewd Karl and a very valid point about the DB9, unless they are going to go further upmarket and leap frog the Virage on price, while taking DBS further upmarket. That would be my guess

You must be psychic about the auto-box DB9 is now auto only !

[Zod]

One nice touch in the Virage is that the big round buttons are now glass/sapphire like the starter button.