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Aston Martin releases mega-gallery for DBS Volante

 
6 7,364 views Jul 8, 2009

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Few automakers have the pedigree - the panache - of Aston Martin, and even fewer cars can match the elegant DBS. Now Aston Martin has seen fit to add a drop-top version of the DBS, called the Volante.

The DBS Volante is powered by the same 6.0L V12 engine rated at 510hp (380kW) and 420lb-ft (570Nm) of torque as the hard-top DBS. Top speed in the convertible variant is 191mph (307km/h) and it sprints to 62mph (100km/h) in just 4.3 seconds.

“The DBS Volante delivers the utmost relaxed driving experience with the roof up or down. It combines engineering excellence with design perfection," said Aston Martin CEO Ulrich Bez. “The DBS Volante offers a subtle mix of power and performance. Adding to this, the fine craftsmanship – it is an unparalleled ownership and driving experience.”

Only the 16th convertible Aston has built in its 95-year history, the DBS Volante rides at the forefront of the company's available technology. Beyond the simply awesome sounding V12, the car gets a choice of six-speed manual or Touchtronic automatic six-speed transmissions. Structural rigidity is preserved well, with the Volante exhibiting 75% of the stiffness of the coupe, thanks in part to a rigidly mounted rear sub-frame and optimized front and rear shear panels.

Carbon ceramic brakes are standard, and the most cutting edge materials are used throughout the car, including a carbon fiber hood, front wing and trunk lid. Despite the weight-shaving measures, the DBS Volante is still a big GT, with a curb weight of 3,990lb (1,810kg). An Active Damping System (ADS) keeps the big car's roll under control, however, and can be tuned for comfort or speed.

Aston's partnership with Bang & Olufsen bears more fruit in the DBS Volante, with the BeoSound DBS in-car entertainment system's 13-speaker symphony part of the standard equipment package as well.

Most of the rest of the running gear is shared with the coupe, making the DBS Volante not just attractive but eminently capable on the road, the track or cruising the strip.
First Drive: Aston Martin DBS
Aston Martin DBS Volante

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Comments (6)

  1. ma_adamk avatar adamk Posted: 2/24/2009 2:51pm PST

    I know beauty is a fundamentally subjective thing, but I think all the recent Aston Martins (and most of the old ones, except the bizarre old Lagonda sedan) are just stunning to look at.
     
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  2. ma_jixx avatar jixx Posted: 2/24/2009 9:06pm PST

    i'm pretty sure the v8 vantage roadster is a convertible too...
     
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  3. ma_Suggs avatar Suggs Posted: 2/25/2009 12:40pm PST

    Volante is the name that Aston use for ALL their convertibles

    The proper name for the V8 drop-top is the V8 Vantage Volante

    the v8 vantage is the hard top.
     
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  4. ma_cislam71 avatar cislam71 Posted: 3/3/2009 2:38pm PST

    Damn this car is nice. Unlike its wanna be tuner-esque cousin the DBS, this Aston preserves the clean cut beauty all Aston Martins should have. A true treat for the eyes.

    By the way, in paragraph 3 line 2 should it say roof and not hood?
    My driving experience would in no way be relaxed with the hood up... :)
     
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  5. ma_bepsf avatar bepsf Posted: 7/8/2009 7:09pm PDT


    By the way, in paragraph 3 line 2 should it say roof and not hood?
    My driving experience would in no way be relaxed with the hood up... :)

    In Britain where Aston Martin's are manufactured and where the Ulrech Bez, the quoted individual and AM's CEO, lives and works - the retractable roof of a convertible (Or "drophead") is called a "hood", and what we call a "hood" in the States is referred to as a "bonnet", just as what we call a "trunk" is a "boot" in Britain.

    ...as in "Our Rolls Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe not only has an expansive stainless steel bonnet and one-piece aluminium billet windshield frame, but also a 7-layer cashmere-lined hood with a glass rear window, resulting in absolute rigidity and silence during relaxed motoring, yet the hood folds neatly beneath the yacht-like teak-deck located just ahead of the capacious lambswool-lined boot in 24 seconds flat"
     
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  6. By  buy r4ds Posted: 1/20/2010 10:21pm PST

    I think the next range of Astons will have to look quite different to the current range - yeah, they are among the best looking cars ever, but with familiarity comes boredom and I really don't wanna grow bored of the DB9,Vantage and DBS frown
     
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