The new-for-2012 Virage is built on Aston Martin's "VH" architecture. The lightweight bonded aluminum and composite platform debuted way back in 2004 (under the skin of the DB9), but it's still an impressively stiff platform. As such, the British automaker makes good use of it. In addition to the new Virage, it is also used as the backbone of the Vantage, DBS and Rapide (the low volume One-77 is constructed with a full carbon-fiber monocoque chassis).

Sharing the same wheelbase and silhouette, the new Virage looks like a monozygotic twin to the DB9 and DBS. However, closer examination reveals that the Virage wears its own unique skin of aluminum, magnesium and composite body panels. Sculpted with aggressive simplicity in mind – clean surfaces with wide flares to emphasize the width of the platform – the front fascia features a five-vane grille (inspired by the One-77) and the rear wraps around with a body-color rear lower diffuser. As is the case with all late-model Aston Martins, the Virage features LED illumination for the daytime running lamps, turn signals and rear lamps, while the headlights are bi-xenon projector beams.

Models? Yes, there are two of them. The fixed-roof two-door is known as the "Virage Coupe" while the drop-top goes by the "Virage Volante" moniker ("volante" means "flying" in Italian and Aston Martin first used it on the Short Chassis Volante in 1965). Virage Coupes are offered in 2+2 or 2+0 configurations, so choose your preference. Keep in mind both only seat two. Convertible Volante models lose the fixed roof in favor of a completely automatic power-operated retractable folding cloth top. Additional reinforcements to the rear subframe, and front and rear shear panels, help to increase rigidity. The multi-layer top features an extra layer of Thinsulate material to improve isolation from outside noise.

Both the Coupe and Volante pack the same heat in the form of Aston Martin's familiar hand-assembled 6.0-liter V12 (it's technically a 5.9-liter, at 5,935 cubic centimeters). The naturally-aspirated all-alloy 48-valve engine, which is basically two Ford 3.0-liter Duratec V6 engines end-to-end, makes power the old fashioned way, sans direct injection, variable valve timing or variable-length intake manifolds. Regardless, it's a spinning jewel rated at 490 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque (the same engine is tuned to make 510 horsepower in the DBS and 470 horsepower in the DB9/Rapide). The engine's plenum has been painted black to identify its unique "five-pillar design" that reportedly improves sound quality and helps to deliver 85 percent of available torque at only 1,500 rpm.