2011 Aston Martin Virage Volante

Highlights

• Naturally-aspirated 5.9-litre V12, producing 490hp and 420lb ft of torque

• Timeless specification with Meteorite grey paint

• In excellent condition inside and out

• One of just 388 Virage Volantes believed to have been produced

• Well cared for example with comprehensive service history

Overview

Once upon a time, the Virage was the flagship of the Aston Martin range, a perch it sat atop throughout the 1990s, until its purposeful haunches and glorious tyre to wheel ratio were replaced by the more modern, more muscular Vanquish.

By the time the second-generation Virage appeared on UK roads there was a new king in town, the DBS. This prompted Aston to slot it somewhat awkwardly between the £125k DB9 and £175k range topper, a gap which took them less than two years to realise didn’t really exist.

The fleeting nature of the Virage’s second coming is therefore often mistaken as an indictment of the car itself, rather than a failure of its maker’s own product planning. Because the real reason that the Virage couldn’t be allowed to live on, was that it was too good.

As a model that knew its natural place was on top of the totem pole, the Virage simply refused to settle for second best. A mildly detuned version of the 6.0-litre V12 engine that powered the DBS, paired with a faster, smoother iteration of the DB9’s six-speed Touchtronic transmission, saw 0-62 in 4.6 seconds and a 186mph top speed.

Its double-wishbone suspension, too, was comprehensively overhauled with the inclusion of electronic adaptive dampers, while carbon-ceramic brakes were included as standard. Even the windscreen wipers were improved.

The result was arguably the perfect blend of DBs 9 and S, a composed grand tourer and thrilling sports car in one bonded aluminium package. For confirmation you need look no further than the original PistonHeads review, which raved that, “you can tell this is a more polished car dynamically (than the DB9 and the DBS) pretty much from the moment you start driving … on the road the Virage feels almost as sharp and very nearly as rapid as the DBS. Yet it also feels much more refined, with none of the sharp edges in its ride.”

It continued, “If anything, the Virage's chassis - and its steering - are even better than its engine and gearbox. Which is saying something. It's only once you've aimed it at a few corners and realised how beautifully well balanced it feels mid-corner, and how smoothly it rides if that corner happens to be less than perfectly surfaced, that you appreciate how good a job Aston's engineers have done with this car.”

This exceptionally kept Volante variant boasted a solidly-mounted rear sub-frame alongside additional stiffening, ensuring that Coupe’s dynamic prowess was undiminished with the wind in its occupants’ hair. A timelessly beautiful design, presented in an enduringly tasteful specification, the Virage is sure to retain its licence to thrill for a good many years yet.

History and documentation

• First registered 01/09/2011

• Four-owner vehicle, acquired by current keeper in 2020

• £790 road tax

• ULEZ compliant

• Maintenance history including services at: Sep 2012 @ 9,616 miles, Nov 2013 @ 16,334 miles, Jan 2015 @ 18,845 miles, Mar 2016 @ 21,582 miles, Mar 2017 @ 22,597 miles, Apr 2018 @ 24,158 miles, May 2019 @ 25,294 miles, Jul 2020 @ 26,131 miles, Oct 2022 @ 26,489 miles, Jun 2025 @ 26,705 miles

• Original service book

• Collection of documents and old MOT certificates

• Two keys

• Current MOT expires 31/07/2027

• V5 in current owner’s name

• HPI clear

Interior

• Black leather interior in excellent condition with very minor signs of use

• Sapphire crystal and stainless steel ‘Emotional Control Unit’ key ignition

• 2+2 seating layout

• Electrically adjustable seats

• Inside of convertible roof unmarked

• Pop-up wind deflector

• Odometer shows 26,747 miles

Exterior

• Beautiful Meteorite grey paintwork in pristine condition

• Black soft-top

• Silver 10-spoke alloy wheels unmarked

• Black brake calipers

• Immaculate engine bay

• Undercarriage appears in excellent condition and rust free

Mechanical

• Naturally-aspirated 5.9-litre V12, producing 490hp and 420lb ft of torque

• Touchtronic II six-speed paddle-shifted automatic transmission

• Rear-wheel drive

• Standard carbon ceramic brakes

• Pirelli P-Zero tyres with plenty of tread remaining

• Complete maintenance history, primarily with Aston Martin main dealers

Summary

The Virage’s short lifespan ensured it remained a rarer car than ought to have been the case, with just 656 coupes and 388 convertibles believed to have been produced worldwide. With only a fraction of those being right-hand drive it remains an uncommon sight on UK roads, granting a curio cachet that could well appeal to future collectors.

As for its next keeper, this is clearly a well-preserved example, albeit one with enough miles beneath its belt and a comprehensive enough service history to suspect in good mechanical order too. Prior issues with the V12 and transmission had been largely eliminated by the Virage’s arrival regardless, and the current owner reports everything is working as it should.

Aston Martin named the Virage after the French word for ‘turn’. The only question is, will it be yours next?

To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. This seller is located in Blackburn.