After spearheading the Aston Martin V8's transformation for the 1990s, the Virage name was quietly dropped during 1994, however, the final 6.3-litre Works conversion had demonstrated that there was a market for a faster Virage and, in 1993, Aston finally unleashed the mighty Vantage.

Every panel, save the roof and door skins, was new, 18-inch wheels replaced the Virage's 16s, AP Racing 350mm four-piston brakes with Bosch ABS were carried over from the Virage 6.3 and with six headlights set behind glass, gaping air intakes and a bulging bonnet cut with cooling vents, the Vantage looked the business.

Motivation was provided by the old 5.3-litre V8 given a new lease of life with the addition of two Eaton superchargers generating 550bhp (later 600bhp in the V600) and a storming 550lb/ft at 4,000rpm.

However, not everyone wanted 550bhp, limiting sales slightly, so the Geneva Salon in March 1996 saw the introduction of the new V8 Coupé which adopted all of the Vantage's muscular styling ...