The 2012 Aston Martin Virage Is the Cool Aston You’ve Never Heard Of

[@shaboiisaiah]

great to see Doug review a car outside of his underground dungeon

[@MrDDawson]

I hate that damn echo chamber. Makes my old tinnitus ears cry.

[@rickbdatsun]

You spelled "secret lair" wrong. 😂

[@danielgrudzinski9806]

The eco is indeed a problem

[@curtbrown554]

I was thinking the same thing.

[@alexander_marvelon]

I prefer the dungeon more 😅

[@R.J.theBad1]

I miss when Doug would squeeze himself in the backseats

[@rogersmj]

I’ve noticed he doesn’t do that ever since he sold part of his company for $$$ 😂 He doesn’t feel the need to entertain the peons anymore by folding himself into tiny backseats

[@WhaddupImJohn]

His pockets have grown so now he definitely will not fit 😂

[@patrickdecarvalho4754]

I’m 6’4”. Sir, this is a Wendy’s

[@mgrmln]

He doesn't do that anymore because he has Alanis King, who does it for him.

[@jimj2683]

Not just $$$, but $37 million. By the time he retires he will easily have built and sold more companies and have hundreds of millions. @@rogersmj

[@not_super_street]

I remember when Ed Bolien said when he was at Aston Martin of Atlanta these things would sit on the lot for eight months, and then they would discount them by 100 grand

[@damilolaakanni]

I guess it was because there wasn't much to differentiate between the Virage and the DB9 in terms of styling.

[@edwardcarter5724]

@@damilolaakanni or people figured they could get A 2 door jag that looks exactly the same for much less. Or for me A 911 for more than half the price

[@rustler08]

@@edwardcarter5724People that want a V12 don't want some plebeian Jag or 911. It's because the DBS/the new V12 Vanquish and the DB9 already existed, and the Virage was a weird attempt at fitting something between them. Hell, even the Rapide existed.

[@Kalepsis]

It didn't sell because it wasn't different enough from the other models.

[@purwantiallan5089]

​@@Kalepsisit also quite pricey. The 2012 Virage costed like $300.000.

[@jamesengland7461]

That pen is sure to make the Dougcember quirks of the year list!

[@ngbasketballking]

And it's a Lamy! I think that's so cool

[@purwantiallan5089]

I approve this hundred percent.

[@mostcertainlyno]

@@ngbasketballkingI couldn’t believe he didn’t mention that!

[@Lorentz_Driver]

Doug the type of guy to buy a million dollar car but not a better mic.

[@ramennoodlz]

Has his priorities set straight

[@goldeneye9381]

Lol 😅 i agree

[@rosestrohm7986]

buying a million dollar car as a business expense and not any equipment. Still the totally humble car reviewer we used to know

[@drippgxd]

@@rosestrohm7986Rati’s rides is way better lmao

[@andrewkopf5858]

He needs a new iPhone lol

[@lovepajamas1482]

I remember James May reviewing this, and being disappointed by the ride quality.

[@gaveintothedarkness]

Didnt give James the "fizz"

[@keeperofeurobeat8421]

Then came his tirade about the Nurburgring right after "BOMB IT!"

[@NomenClature-o8s]

Well, the low profile tires appear to have about 1” of sidewall. Not the hot tip for a supple suspension.

[@slashknife]

Me too

[@toms_garage]

I remember that too

[@Tmrfe0962]

@5:27….I can hear the Aston executive saying, It’s a crystal dammit not a glass brick!

[@Yukikazehalo]

Also is not a key, Aston calls it an "Emotion Control Unit"

[@obhatti]

I think the ECU in the DBS was the only one with the sapphire crystal key and the later DB9s got glass.

[@Link_1129]

Specifically sapphire crystal. Even the Rapide's key had it.

[@AndyGaskin]

The exterior styling is surprisingly modern.

[@purwantiallan5089]

The Ferrari F430 also has modern exterior.

[@skagerstrom]

Looks better than the new ones IMHO. With their ugly front fenders...

[@claysmell]

Doug actually USED the Aston umbrella? "Doug's the type of guy to actually use the extra goodies that come with those high end cars and devalue them - like his Aston umbrella. Used and LOST forever."

[@WatanabeNoTsuna.]

No one - not even Aston Martin - has been able to design a more beautiful car than this era of Astons. ❤

[@CruzeUK]

Nice looking but very, very unreliable.

[@WatanabeNoTsuna.]

@@CruzeUK Unfortunately, reliability comes exasperatingly low on my list of priorities... That's why I need multiple cars at all times. 🤷🏻‍♂️ 😂 🤣

[@bwofficial1776]

2000s-early 2010s Aston Martin was peak Aston Martin. The designs have aged stunningly well and they're still plenty fast.

[@EmazingGuitar]

@@WatanabeNoTsuna.modern problems calls for modern solutions 😂

[@WatanabeNoTsuna.]

@@EmazingGuitar Now, when you say "modern problems", do you mean "crappy old British and Italian vehicles most people don't give tho shits about"...? 🤔 😂 🤣

[@warkus123]

At the same time Aston martin also had the Vantage and the Rapide, so they had 5 models that were all more or less sporty GT cars, with extremely similar styling.

[@GuilleViper]

and in 2012 the Vanquish came back too

[@Yukikazehalo]

​@GuilleViper Vanquish was released to replace the DBS but im sure they were both sitting on dealer lots at the same time.

[@obhatti]

Don't forget the Cygnet! :P

[@warkus123]

​@@obhattiahh yes... the Cygnet... a Vantage that got crushed from both sides then they sold it anyway... for the same price.

[@megaangelic]

​@@warkus123The Cygnet was an optional extra. It wasn't sold separately, at least originally.

[@aidanfiadh]

I think Aston Martins of the 2000s and early 2010s have aged so well partly because they defined the style that most car companies have tried to copy from ~2005-2020; swept aerodynamic lines with creases along them (as opposed to rounder, lumpier 90s cars) and a prominent, distinctively shaped front grille

[@ThunderheadShetlands]

Doug's the type of guy to get rained on while the sun is out.

[@edwardvalivonis23]

Doug is a type of a guy to wear cargo shorts at his wedding

[@jakep1481]

I actually lol'd

[@robertkeeney3898]

I honestly thought he was going to pull out a tiny umbrella instead of a pen lol

[@JuanOne11]

Me too 😂 like a rolls royce

[@saultknutz1166]

same

[@AmraphelofShinar]

A tiny Aston umbrella for your "Vesper" martini.

[@GM-kj6sb]

I personally think this is the best looking model between the DB9 and DBS

[@a-manthe9]

Fake news, the DBS looks better

[@GM-kj6sb]

@@a-manthe9 the Virage looks more modern whereas the DBS is sporty (and I love the manual) the styling looks a generation older

[@_david_024]

New filming location 😉

[@lasersailor6684]

Probably because he had to go up to Costa Mesa to review it.

[@watchreport]

It’s a one off as he had to film at a remote location and not at the cars and bids offices.

[@Mr.pawahh]

its so refreshing to see doug revewing cars out in the wild rather than his underground dungeon, yes the camera is shaking and the audio is buffeting but who cares???

[@iosgaming2824]

I think he said he stopped filming outside because of disruptions from people and because of rain

[@Fayotti]

This type of review outside is so much better than in the dungeon please keep it like this

[@BIGGELATO]

That metallic style gauge cluster looks like a high-end stainless steel chronograph watch. Beautiful.

[@r.hagenau3541]

The Virage is a DB9 with facelifted body, but still high-up engine.

[@Techjunkiero]

Absolutely stunning Aston Martin. Looks amazing after 12 years and has aged beautifully.

[@valengreymoon5623]

The pen is for signing those speeding tickets.

[@MattDiffey]

They look even more similar than the photos you showed at 2:40 imply - the DB9 and DBS you showed were pre-facelift (in the DB9 case) and replaced by the 2012 Vanquish (in the DBS case), both of which look /even more/ like the Virage

[@yudhabagaskara98]

2010-12 DB9 has revised front bumper No one remembered that model either

[@b747skyguy]

Until just before I bought one, I had never heard of a Virage. While paging through the many DB-9 adverts in my quest for a DB9, I happened to come across an ad for a Virage. I became very inquisitive about it and discovered that there was only 126 Virage coupes exported to the USA. I immediately began a quest for one and 2 months later I was the proud owner of one. I love this beauty! I've owned Jags, Healys, Triumphs, Porsches, Maseratis, Corvettes and many more marques but this is my overall favorite car.

[@josephlacey163]

I bought my Virage 2 yrs ago. I've taken it on a 13,000 mile road trip across the US and Canada, and it's my daily driver. Never a peep of an issue mechanically. I knew Aston made less than 1100 over the 2 model years, but did not know only 126 made it to the US. This makes me want to keep mine even more now.

[@u102768]

@@josephlacey163 Same, I have had mine 2 years and it is also my daily driver. I discovered that mine was an early press car so features in some of the KZbin videos of the era and a Top Gear magazine article on Virages as well!

[@fastfarari]

Perhaps my most memorable moment of childhood was getting a ride in one of these, I haven't stopped chasing that feeling since. NEED an Aston Martin in the stable

[@cristianfamigliuolo]

The pen is a Lamy Pico😂,Accessory given as a gift by a dealer on a vantage😂

[@MrDDawson]

Never heard of unless you watch top gear?

[@petercozzaglio6070]

I have heard of it and I have never watched Top Gear.

[@ImARealHumanPerson]

"Never heard of it unless you've heard of it" 😅

[@nikolayjarvinen531]

Top Gear was very good at promoting British cars

[@kevinDG7]

Or if you a Aston martin fan

[@CharlieFoxtrot06]

Pretty sure Doug forgets that like 98% of his audience watched Top Gear.

[@yutehube4468]

The Vantage V550 (1993-1999) is my favourite. It has to be one of the nicest cars ever made and it was also hand-made. Like this one, it's super rare with only 239 ever made. Prices today are around the same as the car cost back in the mid 1990's, which is crazy for such a rare and fast car. The V550 cost £177,000 at launch (around £440,000 in today's money).

[@kanjionshasteen9159]

One in California going for around 200k rn at auction

[@randomrawrecords6727]

That different to the V600? 7roadsters and 7coupes made ever.

[@manbatmiso]

Wish he’d review one.

[@yutehube4468]

@@randomrawrecords6727 550 BHP Vs 600 BHP. Apparently the V550 was more like 600 BHP anyway. 0-60 in 4.6 seconds for a car that's nearly 2,000 KG.

[@vladvulcan]

550 hp in a 90s car is insane. I was shocked when I discovered that it existed.

[@Henchman1977]

I wonder why they didn't use Ford's Sync for infotainment/gps. I have a 2010 and sure it's a little dated now but still functional and useful.

[@2006Vantage]

It’s because Ford sold their premier automotive group (AM was part of it along with Jag and Land Rover) in early 2007

[@beamngfanatic2913]

Who misses Doug trying to get in the tiny back seats of cars?

[@heinrichdude]

So beautiful. Peak Aston Martin design right there.

[@burtdemill9393]

Fully agree. From 2019 on, trying a bit hard to be a British Lamborghini with creases, folds, overwrought design. These cars are from the Callum, Fisker era.

[@jonfarah8529]

Good to see the mic quality of 2016 is also back

[@BOVEN-]

Yaya! Doug outside again!🎉

[@InHellBaby1]

He’s wearing SPF 100.

[@Kalepsis]

I was considering buying one of these but ended up with a newer Vanquish instead. And regarding maintenance: both my Astons have been unbelievably reliable. They're great

[@GLH8]

That pen is a Lamy Pico. A non Aston one is about £30

[@FrankieProkop]

Imagine an OG Virage from the 90s. Now THOSE are wild. (Too bad they never made a V600 version of the Virage, though. Lol.)

[@NavGTI]

Fun fact: Aston Martin technically didn't cancel the Virage after 2012. As the DB9 from 2003 was entering its 10th year in 2013 and the DBS was about to be dropped for the Vanquish, Aston Martin dropped the 'old' DB9 and renamed the Virage to DB9. You can see this from the updated styling which is identical to the Virage, and now that the DBS was gone they also upped the DB9's hp to 510. You could technically add the 2013+ DB9 numbers to Virage numbers, even though the amount of cars that were actually called Virage is scarse.

[@u102768]

Not totally identical, the spoiler on the boot on the facelift DB9 is taller than the one on the Virage although I prefer it anyway. I am biased though as I own a Virage :)

[@eddox94]

The db9 and its variants will always have a big spot in my heart. Such a beautiful car, both visually and audibly

[@guypatterson8132]

That leather slit in the centre console is great for holding a credit card and a parking garage ticket. It saves the inelegant moves necessary to extract your credit card from your wallet in your back pants pocket. No doubt it also gets used on the Continent for again keeping a credit card at the ready for paying autoroute tolls on the way to Cannes for the weekend. The car also has carbon discs which also differentiate the car from the DB9 of the same MY.

[@SynthiaVan]

Isn't it designed for coins? That was always my assumption. I sold them back in this era, never really questioned it.

[@RomainSandt]

When this car came out I remember thinking it had no reason to exist. Even a member of the Aston Martin club didn't know it existed. It was a facelifted DB9... A year later it became the new DB9 ending the stupidity.

[@yudhabagaskara98]

Because age has caught up for DB9 and DBS is too pricey. The car would end up serving no difference between those two

[@lm0026]

I had not realized how much we love doug being outside until the last video he was in a boring dungeon

[@HypocriticYT]

No screens, as it should be!

[@charlie1832]

Bugatti did that right too, doesn’t really date the cars at all

[@jonlosito2004]

Yea most people who own an Aston Martin or any other high end car won't care about screens. They care about luxury and performance.

[@HypocriticYT]

@@jonlosito2004 Yup that's the point

[@burtdemill9393]

@@jonlosito2004 Yep, didn't buy it to watch movies in the car

[@alanwayte432]

I owned one for six years 33000 miles and it never missed a beat, I upgraded suspension through a specialist it was then extremely comfortable, and tech upgrades for Apple and Nav are now available..if you get chance don’t hesitate the sound alone is stunning in this Electric age..

[@thomasdemoor874]

Well, would you look at that, Doug actually listened to his audience and escaped the Doug Dungeon. 😄 Great video, keep it up. 👍

[@nateisright]

Wow! Beautiful without any stupid screens. Simple, elegant and stately. Well . . .

[@m-a-l-3000]

I think the tight pouch at 11:15 is more for the exit tickets of public garages or for garage keycards and stuff like that, than for business cards...

[@Hulle19]

Everyone: NEW VANTAGE AHHH!! Doug: Best I can do is Virage.

[@ShanesAutos]

I always thought the Virage was a mistake by Aston. It was ment to sit between the DB9 and DBS but in 2012 someone at AM must have thought “yanno we brought the DB9 out in 2004 why don’t we just update it?” Then they realised what they ended up with was the Virage so that car no longer had any use. Just swap out the Virage badges for DB9.

[@lasersailor6684]

That pen is gonna make it into the quirk of the year awards come December

[@beesdontcry]

oh god thank you doug for shedding light on these obscure aston martins from the 2010s. i remember.

[@benjohnsmith]

Aston Martin is simply the goose that keeps on giving when it comes to quirks and features! A very entertaining review Doug!

[@Supergirafe80]

Dr. Doug : "Most people have never heard of the 2012 Virage." 🧐 Most people : "Doug has never heard of the 2013-2016 DB9." 😆

[@burtdemill9393]

Yes, they are nearly identical. Virage was the "transition" to the new ( and final) DB9 design language, The '16 GT being the final swan song.

[@pasquale78]

There was also the Vanquish, which basically was a facelift DBS.

[@aaz1992]

One of the most beautiful cars ever made

[@burtdemill9393]

But with 60 more HP, 8 speed ZF and carbon fibre body. The '14 - '18's were beauties, '18 Vanquish S the peak

[@pasquale78]

@@burtdemill9393 agreed

[@DorianDavisddd]

Thank you Doug for reviewing older cars.

[@miketeeveedub5779]

Doug the type of guy to take random Uber rides hoping to get his umbrella back.

[@aaz1992]

I'm sure he will appreciate my 2017 V6 Accord 😂

[@feedback1814]

Folk know about the Virage if they have an interest in cars, and in particular, Aston Martin. The Virage was basically the replacement for the DB9. The Virage initially sat in between the DB9 and the DBS, but Aston realised that there was really no need for 3 cars that were very similar in performance. So they dropped the DB9 and had the Virage and the DBS. Absolutely gorgeous looking cars

[@arconcritter]

Sorry but that’s incorrect. The DB9 was in production until 2016. The Virage was only in protection for two model years, 2011-2012. It was meant to split the price gap as Doug mentioned but was quickly discontinued after effectively 1 year of production. The DB9 soldiered on for another 4 years.

[@feedback1814]

@arconcritter I stand corrected! You're correct as the Virage was the model that was discontinued, with the new DB9 adopting the Virage styling and slight power advantage

[@jonathonalsop2120]

Always thought the DBS was over styled, and the DB9 was too plain, while the Virage was just right.

[@Kacpa2]

DB9 got all the stuff from Virage in the 2013 facelift. Same front end as Virage, same clear tailights and same led turn signals in the aluminium trim.

[@a-lens]

thissss feels like a classic doug video for some reason

[@Specproof]

10:47 On the Volvo models: while in reverse gear if you push the L or R, the mirror would move down to conveniently spot the curb or parking lines. I'm pretty sure it's the same on the Aston Martin models.

[@Problem-mattic]

Shoutout to Mr. Stroll for bring the brand back

[@frankierodriguez8661]

Hi Doug! I already said when you reviewed I think it was the DB9, I could never understand how people capable of manufacturing such a gorgeous designed car with the exquisite leather and stitching not to mention the upgraded B&O stereo (which actually is not that good really, a looker for sure but that would be it, the pop up tweeters can be a nightmare), were mediocre, sluggish and nasty enough to attach pieces of crap like the turning lights horrible stocks from the ford Escort ( I had one of those and I know for sure) or the Garmin atrocious foldable screen. After all these years I keep scratching my head in disbelief. I'm not sure but despite design and V12 engine I sure as hell would go for any 911 of the same year. Far way cheaper and 100 times better car in every sense. Thanks anyway for another great job. By the way, if you tell me the Aston Rapide sedan, I could be more convinced probably.

[@VaneNaumovski]

now thats a beautiful automobile

[@achillerucli3749]

Actually exactly when the Virage was cancelled, it became the “new“ redesigned DB9 between 2012 and 2013

[@jamescurry177]

Spot on - I just purchased a 2014 DB9 - it's a carbon copy of this car, just in a different color. Even has the same wheels!

[@ACLBanglaCycling]

On of the finest review of your channel i have ever seen

[@BasharHassan22]

Hey Doug, I've been watching for years. I would appreciate if you covered the audio quality of the sound system in cars briefly going forward. Would be nice to know even if its a sentence or two.

[@frankierodriguez8661]

I agree absolutely, particularly the Naim Audio Systems in the Bentley cars or the Burmester Audio on Hi end Mercs and Porsche. Domestic Naim systems are extremely good and expensive but Burmester are the Rolls Royce of audio. Their home systems look like jewellery. truly unbelievable.

[@Number69]

"A Virage? A Virage? Ooh la de da Mr Frenchman... it's a car hole"

[@Amandahugankiss8888]

THIS. This to me is the most beautiful Aston exterior design ever. This Virage. I'll take one in silver or white.

[@J_Aaron_L]

Doug is the type of guy to blow your eardrums out using a mic twice as old as the car he reviews.

[@LaczPro]

It's funny that Aston Martin had introduced the Vantage and the Vanquish, with the latter looking almost the same as the Virage. The 2010s for Aston was special. But for me, it was the V12 Vantage with its ugly hood but with a massive V12 in a tiny car that made me fall in love with the brand (and, of course, a lot of games having it and the One-77 helped a lot for my favoritism)

[@damascus-ut1ee]

I got to drive one on the Daytona inner track a few years ago. Amazing sensation with that V12. The interior was one of the nicest I’ve experienced as well. I wish I could have heard the exhaust more, it was quiet from what I remember

[@FullyLooted]

Doug is the type to have the same amount of fun in a Honda Beat as he does in a Veneno

[@saberterminal871]

i remember this. was my fav car for a while as a kid

[@alexanderalexander3891]

Same here

[@nujabeez6573]

The college I used to go to was in a very affluent neighborhood and I would see a yellow one from time to time, I wonder if that guy still owns his

[@cicci0salsicci0]

This has always been one of my favorites.

[@luckya824]

10:07 this is the one and only thing I really dislike about the interior - why is that P R N D font cursive??? this makes no sense to me and it disturbs the classy interior, seems so out of place imho 😩

[@_Haris1904]

This era of Aston Martin sports coupes is my favorite . I would love to own one some day.

[@gonzilla857]

Glad to know Doug still wears two t shirts. Never change Doug, never change…

[@jonsmith1914]

I love when Doug reviews older vehicles like this but what's so special about a Ford Fusion?

[@Squ1shy.W0rm]

I’m so surprised that this is such a rare car. I’ve known about it for a while and thought it was just a normal aston from this era

[@rustler08]

It is a normal car, but it just had terrible production numbers.

[@Squ1shy.W0rm]

@@rustler08yeah, I guess I just figured it was a db model and I thought there were just multiple throughout the years but not all at once, since it was all at once I can see why it had terrible production numbers

[@johnhein4851]

Aston Martin will always be my favorite!

[@kevinlovescars]

one the world's most beautiful cars. timeless design

[@purwantiallan5089]

The 2012 Aston Martin Virage is like combinations of One-77, Vanquish, and V8 Vantage. Pretty cool.

[@walthefl]

6:28 You can still buy this exact pen (without the Aston Martin branding) it’s called Lamy Pico. I have one and love it - very pocketable… :)

[@soILLitsADVISED]

4:57 that mere difference in models made me feel so snobbish yet ridiculous and it’s funny to see Doug thought it was hilarious too

[@michaelmaina8803]

I remember JWW taking his DBS to get his infotainment upgraded to Apple CarPlay. They had all sorts of Astons in there, even Vanquishes. Worked a treat. So if the OEM unit is really something you can’t live with, yeah, you can swap it out.

[@chadbaptiste4227]

That pen holster is an underrated gem.

[@oleg232000]

Have to admit, never heard of this model. Thanks Doug

[@bussterdouglas]

Unpopular opinion: This was the best looking Aston of its era

[@PANTYEATR1]

The gauge cluster reminds me of the lobby of an expensive business building where the elevators are... Very nice.

[@localdevdas]

The Virage is arguably the best looking Aston of all time, and that's saying something. Spectacularly gorgeous!

[@srh5311]

Thanks for this video. I miss the AMs in this era as a Rapide owner.

[@memo90frost]

I have never been a fan of the frontend of the Virage/Rapide, but my God the rest of the car is gorgeous inside and out. The DBS is one of the best looking car of all time.

[@casamigosocean]

It looks so good

[@joekavalauskas8767]

I’ve never deciphered the Aston line up and history. Virage, Vanquish, Vantage, DB models? They all look the same. I guess there’s V12s and V8s but beyond that just pick your favorite color and call it a day.

[@jimbean5672]

This! Never gets old

[@dmimz7691]

Haven’t watched Doug in awhile , he’s more intense than ever …

[@kevinconroy2901]

Doug, we love you Doug

[@HitmanZigf]

One of the most beautiful cars ever

[@randomsurfer8865]

never been this early for your video but i'm not complaining

[@stevenward3430]

Carbon ceramic brake discs ! That was a big difference that the Virage inherited from the DBS. It's a great car, a great used car prospect with some previously held in collections and rarely used.