ASTON MARTIN VIRAGE COUPE

AHYES, I love thumbing through an Aston Martin brochure just before I’m about to drive one. The ‘hancl built aesthetics’ and ‘composed maturity of its pure-bred performance’ may be euphuistic rodomontade to anyone who knows their Astons, especially the fifth one of its kind in less than a decade; but this Virage can still tickle your eye sockets into a full, if somewhat familiar, attention deficit disorder. But the pressing question is this: Does the Aston’s hand built, classically correct Queen’s English still compute when translated into sobering Saffer English? To fmd out we must aim the Virage’s muscular nose out of ]o’burg’s big smoke, and hammer our way to where the scenery is lush and the roads nestle snuggly against the river’s meander. The Magalies Meander to be more specific. This is grand touring, Gauteng style, and our target is the tranquillity of the De Hoek Cotmtry Hotel on the Magalies River. Avenue perfectly in keeping with Gaydon, Warwickshire, from whence the Virage hails. The first thing you need to know about the R2.8 million Aston MartinVirage is that the 48-valve, 6.0-litre V12, produces 365kW and 57oNm, and that will get you to 100kph in 4.6 seconds before it tops out at 299kph. Built around Aston l\/lartin’s familiar, all- aluminium platform (circa 2003 and the DB9), this V12 express now has a raft of upgrades to elbow it out of retirement. The rear-mounted, six-spe ed automatic with paddle shifters is exclusively available to the Virage and is novv referred to as ‘Touchtronic 2,’signifying it to be a second generation system. The Virage has a limited-slip differential, fade resistant carbon ceramic brakes and an Adaptive Damping System (ADS), constantly computing hovv to keep the ride supple and pointy.

 Right next to that you’ll find a Sport mode button which sharpens up the drive-by- vvire throttle by 30%, prods the six—speed automatic into 50% faster shifts, and backs the Virage's exhaust bypass valves into a dark and sombre corner. I—Iow do I put this succinctly? Sport mode me likey, likey very much. .. particularly at Gauteng altitude. I jam in the crystal key, the V12 primes and fires. Burbling out of the Sandton dealership in traffic, theVirage is restrained and comfortable. The steering is heavy at low speeds but visibility out the cabin is generous. Perfect for catching the final reflection of that go-hour paint-and—polish job in Sandton’s shop windows, before seeking out the anonymity of the open road. It’sgorgeous: classic, assertive and yet still relatively unaggressive. On the torrid N1 and N14 highways, with all the driver systems comfortably where you left them, the steering lightens up on the move.

It feels athletic and direct, assuring you that there is more to be had once you clear the traffic. The acceleration isn’t brutal, foregoing the forced induction of modern, high—performance cars, but the sound is there and so are the lazy revs. With maximum power and torque only arriving around the 6000rpm mark you need to be committed to keeping your foot in it. Over-bored and under-stressed is the overall impression you get from the V12 foundry under the bonnet. The Virage has had it easy, deferring to type with its lazy GT yavvns, but once off the thoroughfare roads, it’s time to pile on the pace. On the R 563, heading to Magaliesburg,we get our first chance to wind up the speedometer. Now with Sport mapping engaged and the dampers set to their firmest, we dip through the mountain pass into the Magalies l\/leander. 85% ofthe car’s weight is between the axles, and with its 20-inch, low profile, Pirelli rubber, there’s no reason why it shouldn’t carve this road to bits. Notwithstanding that the word ‘Virage’ is French for something that twists or curves. However, at speed, two things become apparent: The ride quality is flat and firm but it’s not cosseting over imperfections. It’s prone to firm judders on rougher, country roads, and, if I’m honest, it was probably too firm even back on the highway as well. The gearbox doesn’t like to be rushed either. Down changes are slow and up changes on the rev limit take we get our first chance to wind up the speedometer. Now with Sport mapping engaged and the dampers set to their firmest, we dip through the mountain pass into the Magalies Meander. 85% ofthe car’s weight is between the axles, and with its 20-inch, low- profile, Pirelli rubber, there’s no reason why it shouldn’t carve this road to bits. Notwithstanding that the word ‘Virage’ is French for something that twists or curves. However, at speed, two things become apparent: The ride quality is flat and firm but it’s not cosseting over imperfections. It’s prone to firm judders on rougher, country roads, and, if I’m honest, it was probably too firm even back on the highway as well. The gearbox doesn’t like to be rushed either. Down changes are slow and up changes on the rev limit take Martin that looked so beautiful vvhen it thrummed through the gates of our destination at De Hoek, it immediately cleared out the conference venue of all its guests. I adored it, they adored it, and our blast to the Magaliesburg has proven that there is more than enough scenery, freedom and open road in Gauteng to defy the deriders and experience the ideal grand tour.

ASTON MARTIN VIRAGE COUPE

PRICE               : R28000000

ENGINE             : 593500 48v V12, 555kW @ 5500rpm,570Nm @ 5750rpm

TRANSMISSION  : Six-spaad Touchtronic 2 automatic, rear-whal driv

PERFORMANCE : 4.6sac 0-100kph, 299kph, 16L/100km, 394g/km

WEIGHT             : 1785kg

ON SALE            : Now