2012 Aston Martin Virage Coupe

Aston Martin produces some of the sexiest sheetmetal in the automotive industry today, and the tally now stands at 8 (we’re not counting the diminutive Cygnet in this group). Every new offering seems more swoopy than the the previous one, and the 2012 Aston Martin Virage Coupe ($200,000) is no exception. Created to fill a slot between the DB9 and the Bond driven DBS, the Virage Coupe carries forward a name used by Aston some 20 years ago but ups the ante by dropping in a delicious V12 that does not betray what the exterior package promises to deliver. With a 6.0 liter powertrain churning out 490 hp and 420 lb-ft torque, this curvaceous beauty will scramble to 60 in a little over 4 seconds and top out at almost 190 mph. This sonorous V12 is mated to a six-speed auto gearbox, connected to a carbon-fiber driveshaft and limited slip diff. Carbon Ceramic Matrix brakes (28 lbs lighter than its iron brothers) atop manhole cover-sized 15.7 inch front and 14.2 inch rear brakes will stop this Brit with authority and next to no fade. Along with the satisfaction of your performance appetite, your butt gets babied, too, as the interior takes 70 man-hours of expert British craftsmanship to complete using seven different Scandanavian cowhides. Gorgeous wood and clean aluminum round out the interior in what appears to be an absolutely posh yet tasteful cockpit. Look for it in both Virage Coupe and Volante Convertible formats. Note the very tasteful orange it comes in, as well.