So I’m at the LA Auto show, and as usual the Aston display is sponsored by a local dealer and cordoned off so you can look from afar but not touch. The line-up included the V8V, DBS, Rapide, One 77, don’t remember but guessing a V12V and a Virage. This is the first year in a long time that there was no DB9, as this vehicle has been replaced by the Virage. I knew it to be true, but as a DB9 owner I was a bit sad to have gone from owning an iconic vehicle that was one of the most relevant, to now own a model no longer in production. Even my first car…a 1982 Honda Accord purchased with over 200K miles on it because that was all I could afford…is still a current production car.

I admit before I became an Aston guy, they did all look the same to me, but now that my eye is a bit more discerning, and maybe because I am biased as yesterday’s darling, I didn’t swoon over the Virage. The side intake isn’t as prominent because it lacks wire mesh above the chrome streak, the chrome streak is plasticized with an imbedded side light, and the grill opening is smaller…like pursed lips. Granted, I think the DB9’s grill opening isn’t nearly as memorable as my personal favorite tough overbite of the Vanquish or my second vote aggressive look of the Vantage…but I was not impressed seeing the Virage in-person for the first time.

I did ask the 40-something gentleman who worked for Galpin AM about the drive difference between the Virage and DB9, and in addition to making me feel like I was annoying him by asking questions, he said the Virage was more “Refined”….whatever that means.

Anyone here have any feedback of the drive of the Virage versus the DB9? Am I just a bitter old-model owner in thinking that the Virage is not a step forward aesthetically? Are these models selling?

 

 

Can't help on the driving aspect, but imo the Virage is slightly more sculpted in the body and looks better to me. Also the Vanquish which used to be a favorite is now extremely dated, especially that abrupt, sharp hip line.

A Virage from a meet I was at;

 

The Virage is not a DB9 replacement. Don't know where you got the idea the DB9 is no longer current or is out of production.

 

From my understanding it is - but its merely a "hold over" until they can revamp the entire line.

 

The DB9 has not been discontinued..nor has it been replaced by the Virage. The DB9 and Vantage are in the works of having a aka *large facelift and slight rework* google VH500 and go from there..sechudled for release 2015-2016 ..Right now the Lagonda SUV is sechudled for 2013 (this is not in concrete for Aston is very Top Secret on all there idea's garanteed for production)

Why the rebirth of Virage?? Well that's simple...Clients that owned the DB9 were looking for something more sporty and faiding to Porshe..Aston saw this was starting to be a situation..so the DBS was reborn to fill that need of the clients in demand.

Some clients that upgraded to the DBS missed the confort they liked about there DB9, they also did not like the great sportier look..wasn't there style...Aston saw this and decided to fill the gap between the DB9 and the DBS that was in need by there clients...The Virage was reborn..With the Virage you have something that can be just smooth like the DB9 and harsh when needed like the DBS..looks are also right in the middle..Looks are slightly like the DB9 but also slightly like the DBS..

This is the same for Vantage V8 - Vantage S - Vanatage V12...

I work at a dealer for Aston Martin and can vow to say, Aston is really hands on(heck the cars are built by hand still)..they look at the clients concerns/complaints/needs and check what they can do with what they have..Aston is not a large company like VW AG(Audi, VW, Bentley) so yes reworking a current model takes some time...

I've had a lot of ppl debate me on the "Aston is hands on"..ppl stating well why haven't they done "XYZ" ...well truth is, if you don't send them feed back, how can Aston (or any manufacture) develop something in need(10 ppl out of there 1000's of clients doesn't cut things)..Aston's CSI was garbage and got complaints on questions they asked(questions asked weren't great)..so a new CSI is now in the works and scheduled to be released soon...like I said small company but they do get things done..

 

I didn't like the Virage as much when I first saw it in pictures—something about the flaring out of the front bumper ahead of the front wheel wells bothered me. Then I saw it in the flesh and was converted. I do like it better than the DB9 now, just not as much as I like the Vantage. My only beef is with the Auto-only tranny. I need a stick shift to feel connected to the car. Same reason why I prolly will never own a V8VS, as much as I like everything else about the car.

 

You know, I've driven numerous ASM's and sticks..more than I can count.. But when I tried the V8VS..all I can say is WOW..Completely different..I actually felt like I was driving a track car..shifts are perfect..well matched..and no delay..in the V8VS I can be in 7th gear, rapidly shift down twice and your in 5th with no delay, this can be done in any gear providing RPM's permit..very nice!!

But the Virage/DB9/DBS auto trans..don't really care myself for..doesn't really drive my trill..then again the Virage wasn't made to be Super Sporty..was made to be Refined and Luxurious Sporty, guess that's why auto only was adopted for Virage..still a nice drive though

 

Personally the Virage looks have really grown on me and they look better in the flesh than on a PC screen. It is also a good car to drive, both more dynamic than the DB9 and yet also slightly more refined. But as we know it isn't really an all new model think of it as an S version of the current DB9 (DB9-S, rather like the V8 vs V8S) and it then makes sense IMO.
A major upgrade for DB9/DBS is due soon, but of course they will also likely cost more, so the Virage will still have appeal.

 

What Aston really needs is a deep-pocket owner who can help them bring products to market in more current time-frames and also allow for more significant upgrades within the model run. While this may sacrifice some of the "boutique" feel, it will allow a storied marquee to live on properly in the 21st century. Unlike the Vanquish, the DBS was not a true halo car for the brand b/c too much of it was based on the DB9. Something like the One-77 is cool, but that $ would have been better spent elsewhere IMO. There's really not much about the Vantage that is "new" and I don't really buy A-M media info about DB9 owners wanting more sport and DBS owners wanting more luxury. I just think they looked in the bins and saw what they could cobble together to keep things interesting in the looooooong wait for true replacements. I really do hope they add technology leader in the future to deserved title of best-looking cars in the world...

 

I agree. Say what you will about the Ford era, but the cars got a lot better in terms of reliability. Aston really does need the R&D $$$ (or £££). Also, I'm concerned about economy/pollution standards. Maybe Aston will be okay with small manufacturer exemptions, but that's not clear to me now.

 

You were not allowed to get into the cars?

IAA was similar in Germany, cordoned for passers-by but for invited guests very nice. Could get in, sit in all the cars ( besides one-77 and Zagato) have snacks and chat as long as you wanted.
And as an Aston owner there was no problem to get invited. Every dealer in Germany had one special day.
And like some said already, DB9 is (still) current production.