Performance
Sitting at the heart of any Aston Martin sports car
is an evocative engine and no more so in the new Aston Martin Virage Volante
which adopts the famous hand-built 6.0 liter V12 which is assembled in Aston
Martin's bespoke engine plant in Köln, Germany. Aston Martin technicians spend
in excess of 20 hours building and testing every engine before sending it to
Gaydon where it is mounted as far back in the Virage as possible to contribute
to its perfect 50:50 weight balance.
The Virage Volante engine produces
490 hp (365 kW/) and 420 lb-ft (570 Nm) of torque and is identified from other
V12s in the family with a black plenum. The plenum houses a new 'five pillar
design' increasing the rigidity of the manifold delivering an improved sound
quality. The V12 has been designed to deliver over 85% of Virage's peak torque
at only 1,500 rpm providing for instant and crucially, real-world useable
traction.
The Touchtronic II transmission features as standard, and
contributes to Virage's refined power delivery making gear changes tangible yet
effortless. Engineered in conjunction with ZF, the six-speed automatic has
optimally placed ratios to remain quiet on motorway stretches and deliver an
engaging response when driving spiritedly. Controlled through finely polished
glass switches depicting P, R, N, D on the facia, the driver can engage
automatic mode, and the intelligent control system will decide precisely the
right time to change gear in order to achieve the smoothest ratio move and the
optimum fuel economy.
In addition, the driver has the option of pulling
either of the magnesium leather clad paddles to engage manual mode. Mounted on
the steering column so that the driver can always easily locate either up or
down, the manual mode gives the driver complete control.
Virage features
a Sport button on the facia which when depressed will create a heightened
driving experience through faster gear changes and the system will override the
automatic change-up so the driver is able to hold the gear on the revolution
limiter.
Control
The new Virage Volante features a new
Adaptive Damping System (ADS) which has been tuned to suit the particular
character of Aston Martin's latest sporting GT. Each damper has five individual
computer controlled stiffness settings. This allows the Virage Volante to 'read'
the road via strategically placed sensors around the car, constantly adjusting
the ride at each corner. Using yaw, accelerometer, steering wheel, throttle and
brake (ABS) sensors, the intelligent system can take into account the demands
the driver is making of the car at any given time. The Adaptive Damping
Electronic Control Unit (ECU) uses these measurements to determine the most
appropriate damper settings required at any given time, becoming stiffer for
better handling and control during dynamic driving, and becoming softer for
greater ride comfort during 'normal' driving conditions.
Increasing
driver control further, the glass ADS button on the facia allows the driver to
override the system to push the dampers into a firmer range of settings. As the
button is depressed, for the initial five seconds, all damper settings are set
to their firmest providing the driver a tangible difference. After five seconds
the system reverts to the optimum setting within the firmer range resulting in a
more focused but comfortable driving experience.
Virage Volante is
delivered to customers with Carbon Ceramic Matrix (CCM) brakes as standard -
bucking the trend in this market. Critically acclaimed to provide the ultimate
in progressive stopping power, the CCM discs take advantage of six piston
calipers at the front and four at the rear. Giving the driver tangible control
when braking, they are much more resistant to fade than conventional cast iron
discs and at 12.5 kg lighter than a conventional system they contribute to a
lower unsprung mass aiding ride comfort and handling.
The Dynamic
Stability Control (DSC) system has been specifically tuned for the Virage Coupe
and Volante. A three-stage DSC system allows the driver to tailor the level of
electronic intervention according to the type of driving. In default mode, the
system is set to 'on' which will limit any tire slip in difficult conditions,
and provide the maximum amount of security possible without being intrusive.
Holding the DSC button for four seconds will engage 'Track Mode' which delays
the electronic intervention further, creating a safe yet purer experience.
Depressing the button for a further five seconds will disengage the system
completely.
Using knowledge learned from the V8 Vantage Roadster and DBS
Volante, the new Virage Volante features a solidly-mounted rear subframe as well
as front and rear shear panels which deliver high levels of rigidity. This means
that the Virage Volante retains its sporting dynamic characteristics,
uncompromised by the open roof. For the first time on an Aston Martin the Virage
coupe also uses a shear panel at the rear of the car, again to enhance strength
and rigidity.
Navigation System
The fully integrated Aston
Martin standard satellite navigation system has been completely revised for the
Virage range benefiting from a new system developed in conjunction with Garmin
which is operated using the existing joystick and facia buttons. Features
include clearer graphics, improved pictorial junction views and safety camera
data. The new system maintains its integrated look, out of view beneath the real
wood facia, rising seamlessly from the center console at the touch of a button.
Control through the aluminum four-way joystick prevents unattractive finger
marks on the screen which impede clear vision.
Aston Martin Virage Volante: Photo Gallery, Review (1/2) and Specifications