Aston Martin has chosen Salon Prive, London’s most exclusive motor show, as the platform for the UK debut of the beautiful new Virage luxury GT sportscar.

The event has become the place to debut British sportscars on their home turf, as in 2009 Aston Martin chose Salon Prive to present the first public viewing of its £1 million ‘One-77’.

“Aston Martin Virage delivers the ideal balance between outright sports car performance and trademark sporting luxury and that makes it perfect for Salon Prive. In our sixth year, with a new venue, a larger Concours d’Elegance and a ‘Quintessentially English’ RM Auction; Salon Prive is coming of age and we’re delighted to host Aston Martin’s Virage debut this year,” said David Bagley, Co-Founder of Salon Prive.

2009 was also the first public showing of Jaguar’s all-new XJ. This year, Salon Prive will also host UK debuts of models from BMW and Land Rover. The new Aston Martin Virage sits between the enduringly elegant DB9 and overtly sporting DBS, providing customers with a car that remains luxurious and understated but delivers increased performance combined with effortless driving.

The vehicle comes with Aston Martin's revered hand-built 6.0-litre V12 engine that produces 490 bhp (365 kW/497 PS) and 570 Nm (420 lb. Ft) of torque and, through its carbon fibre prop shaft, is mated to a six-speed Touchtronic II automatic transmission mounted on the transaxle, contributing to the perfect 50:50 weight balance.

"The new Virage represents another landmark Aston Martin in the sporting GT class, combining luxury with performance. Our Engineering team has sought to balance the elements of contemporary design, strong performance credentials and driving fluidity. We have focused on the major building blocks of automotive performance and control, as well as the intricate details of operation, comfort and craftsmanship," Aston Martin Product Development Director, Ian Minards, explains.