The Worst Supercar Model From Every Major Brand – SlashGear

The styling of the 1989 Virage falls short of other exotic Aston Martin models and is sufficient to place it at the bottom of the automaker’s supercar list. The “parts bin” composition, including interior components from GM, Ford, and Jaguar, VW taillights, and Audi headlights make it arguably the worst Aston Martin ever made.

The traditional GT layout of the Virage featured a front-mounted 5.3-liter V-8 equipped with a Weber-Marelli fuel injection system and heads designed by Callaway. The mill produced 330 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque sending power to the rear wheels The Aston Martin Virage accelerated to 60 mph in quick 6.5 seconds, reached the quarter mile in 14.8 seconds, and achieved a top speed of 167 mph. Aston Martin offered two transmission options: a ZF five-speed manual gearbox, installed in about 40% of the cars built, and a three-speed automatic Torqueflite gearbox from Chrysler. In later models, the automaker offered a four-speed automatic and a six-speed manual.

The Virage used a chassis first developed for the Lagonda along with an outdated suspension. The system employed a de Dion tube, triangulated radius rods, and a Watts linkage in the rear. The front suspension was fully independent with double wishbones. The older-design suspension and significant curb weight of 3,946 pounds (despite aluminum bodywork) hampered Virage’s handling through the turns. In 1989, the Virage sold for £120,000 (about £255,500 or 317,000 U.S. dollars in today’s money).