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Re: Aston Martin Virage
If you read the full article on http://www.netcarshow.com/aston_martin/2012-virage/02.htm you will see that it is actually "a new model" that sits between the DB9 and the DBS, so its basically a new version of the DB9 in the same way the DBS is. This is in keeping with AM recently launching the Vantage S which sits between the V8 Vantage and the V12 Vantage.
I guess the name DB9S would have been too confusing and so they dug up the old Virage name again but arguably this is even more confusing for the person?? As for the car, well in terms of set and power it does seem to fit nicely between the two models but as for looks Im not so sure. Its seems to lack the elegant beauty of the DB9 and the agression of the DBS. Bit of an odd one...
Re: Aston Martin Virage
ISUK:
Aston's design department makes Porsche's 911 designers look adventurous and radical
I do think though that AM has to keep an eye on expenses so they have to get along with the Vantage and DB9/S platforms for a while. I do have to say though that all those variations get a bit tiresome...
Feb 23, 2011 11:42:03 AM
- easy_rider911
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Re: Aston Martin Virage
I do not understand its purpose.
The design looks like a tarded up DB9. If Aston wanted to have a step between the DB9 and DBS they could have just called it a DB9s and increased the performance of the DB9. Maybe more sport than luxury. Lighten the car and give it a more sporting interior.
Feb 23, 2011 3:58:46 PM
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Ron (Houston)
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Feb 23, 2011 5:06:31 PM
- Joost
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Ron (Houston)
Re: Aston Martin Virage
I loved the new design when they introduced the Vanquish.
Problem these guys have is that they struck gold with their design, in the sense that it is hard to top. Everything you change to the design will actually make it look worse... therefore, they can't stray away from the current designs too much, resulting in a lot of the similar looking cars... just my $0,02
--
Porsche, seperates LeMans from LeBoys
Re: Aston Martin Virage
Well in fairness its as much of a new model as the DBS was over the DB9. The odd thing is that by calling it a Virage they are leading people to believe it is something completely new - it is not, it is just a just a DB9S and people should look at it this way. It is just a new version, not a new model and the AM press release confirms this http://www.astonmartin.com/eng/thecompany/news?a=9127c010-2c2e-4e80-a3ba-aa903bb6af43 as they say "Virage and Virage Volante complete the Aston Martin sporting GT line-up sitting between DBS and DB9". Its a shame that its a little less pretty than either of the two cars it is actually the same model as.
If you are familar with the AM range and look at this car as a new version between the DB9 and DBS then it makes sense in terms of performance, price and specification. Name and cosmetics are a little off the wall however.
AM range is now
Vantage (3 Versions) V8 Vantage - V8 Vantage S - V12 Vantage
DB9 (3 Versions) DB9 - Virage - DBS
Rapide (Single version)
One-77 (Single version)
Cygnet (Single and best forgotton model) 
Re: Aston Martin Virage
Adam2S:
[...]
Its a shame that its a little less pretty than either of the two cars it is actually the same model as.
I actually like the way they refreshed the front. Its still subtle and soft but more edgy. From a style perspective, I believe this car would've been way less criticized if they had also refreshed the back more. Because you see the front and side and you are convinced of the novelty, and then the rear just disappoints you and remind you how not-new it is.
Re: Aston Martin Virage
Aston has previously announced that they would be going the 911 route for updating their cars - meaning slow evolutions. I'm surprised everyone missed this.
911 is doing ok for the last 40 years so I'm not complaining about AM.
Make a radical change like Jaguar or Ferrari and suddenly everyone complains. Make subtle changes and everyone complains. Make decent changes like Toyota and no one even comments. LOL!
Re: Aston Martin Virage
Joost:
I loved the new design when they introduced the Vanquish.
Problem these guys have is that they struck gold with their design, in the sense that it is hard to top. Everything you change to the design will actually make it look worse... therefore, they can't stray away from the current designs too much, resulting in a lot of the similar looking cars... just my $0,02
I understand that quandry very well. Unfortunately, it's a high class problem to have. The evolution of the design must be done very carefully.
If you look at the lastest design trends in automotive styling - everything seems to be going progressive techno chunky. Sharp angles, hard creases and character lines. Obtuse angles. Almost like a mecha out of a Japanese anime cartoon or Robotech.
The DB series is decided different. Smooth and swoopy. Satin. And almost every angle looks "right." Evolving the design is going to be difficult.
Re: Aston Martin Virage
shin:
Make a radical change like Jaguar or Ferrari and suddenly everyone complains. Make subtle changes and everyone complains. Make decent changes like Toyota and no one even comments. LOL!
I agree with you. But you can't call whatever this is an update. They need to up their game if they are planing to sell more cars. A dealer i know has huge stock of unsold DB9s and DBSs. He's offering big discounts but nothing is moving. Even the demand on the Rapide is very weak.
Aston Martin is company that used to be on the verge of closing down few years ago. The had a nice coma-back but it seems that it's loosing steam.Once they reach the iconic status of the 911 then can do the evolution thing.
Also, didn't the AM's CEO say that he wants to emulate Ferrari's business model??
Re: Aston Martin Virage
Aston are struggling in their UK home market at present. It's possible to get huge discounts on virtually all models here. The Rapide is a particularly hard sell from what I can gather. I keep getting text messages from a dealer here who I went to have a test drive in a V8 Vantage 4 years ago (!) offering full retail value on any part exchange against an AM plus very keen pricing on the new car. That's not exactly confidence inspiring for future deprection on the new AM models.
I also received an invite to their Cygnet launch evening which I studiously ignored 
It's interesting that I received an invite though when only six or seven months ago they were saying the Cygnet would only be sold to existing AM owners first and then offered for wider sale at a later date.
Feb 24, 2011 7:48:12 PM
- palenimbus
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Re: Aston Martin Virage
The Cygnet will single handedly kill the Aston brand sadly. It's literally a Toyota IQ or something like that with an aston badge and some fancy leather seats.
Can you imagine you tell a date "I'm coming to pick you up in an Aston Martin"
Then she see's you roll up in this:
pure comedy
Feb 24, 2011 11:29:23 PM
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