Aston Martin Virage Shooting Brake Prototype (1992)
Bonhams has auctioned the first Aston Martin Virage Shooting Brake ever built in Monaco. Only one other station wagon was faster in 1992.
The Aston Martin Virage Shooting Brake presented in 1992 was not the most powerful station wagon of its time. But the four-valve V8 from Newport Pagnell is only five horsepower short of the in-line six-cylinder S38B38 in the BMW M5 E34 Touring. It was also introduced in 1992 and compared to the Aston, 891 were built more often. Another similarity: Both cars were created with a high proportion of manual work.
Sold for 126,500 euros
Ken Greenley and John Heffernan, two tutors at the Royal College of Art, designed the Virage Shooting Brake for Aston Martin. Bonhams auctioned off the first prototype with chassis number DP2099/1, which was shown at the 1992 Geneva Motor Show, during an auction in Monaco on May 13. The estimated price was between 100,000 and 200,000 euros. According to Classic Analytics, the coupé, which was built between 1992 and 1994, costs between 53,600 and 72,500 euros if it is in good condition. Including premium for the auction house, the Shooting Brake now costs 126,500 euros. The upper end of the estimate was also not reached.
More space, less km/h
The driving performance of the 335 hp Virage is given as “less than seven seconds” for the explicit sprint from zero to 60 miles per hour (96.56 km/h). The coupe reaches 160 mph (256 km/h), the Shooting Brake is slightly slower at 152 mph (244 km/h). On the other hand, the extended and higher rear offers 15.2 centimeters more headroom for the rear passengers and, at around 800 liters, four times the loading capacity of the coupé. As with a station wagon, the rear seat backrests let you fold down split. In addition, there is the more individual look.
The offered Shooting Brake left the factory in Aston Green with a parchment-colored interior and automatic transmission. Meanwhile, a manual gearbox and a green interior were installed. In November 2005 the car undergoes a major service and some modifications at Aston Martin Works Service. Among other things, matching belts were installed, the specification was changed to Switzerland, the cooling system and an improved navigation system from Alpine were installed. Since then the car has been in an exhibition and according to the description needs a major service before it can be put on the road again.
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Conclusion
Anyone who wanted a fast station wagon in 1992 had the choice between a BMW M5 Touring and an Aston Martin Shooting Brake. But station wagon is not quite the case with the two-door Aston Martin; it is more of a shooting brake, i.e. a coupé with a steep rear or a station wagon with two doors. Now the prototype has been auctioned for 126,500 euros in Monaco.