'Brutal' was a word used more than once to described the fastest Aston Martin ever on its introduction in 1993, but as the Vantage had no fewer than 550bhp available to propel its two tons, the choice can only be judged fair comment.
After almost 20 years in production, Aston's V8 had been updated for the 1990s as the Virage, body design being entrusted to Royal College of Art tutors Ken Greenley and John Heffernan. The existing Lagonda chassis and suspension were used in revised form for the new car, while engine development was entrusted to Callaway Engineering. Immensely strong, the old V8's bottom half was retained but fitted with new cylinder heads boasting four valves per cylinder and hydraulic tappets. The Virage was still no lightweight, but with 330bhp on tap was good enough for a top speed of 157mph and a 0-60mph time of under seven seconds.
A consummate fast tourer, the Virage left room at the top of the range for an out-and-out sports car, hence the Vantage. Alt