What's the news?
Aston Martin has revealed the gorgeous DB11 Volante, an open-topped version of the DB11 Coupe. It comes with AMG V8 power only for now, some fancy new wheels, a nifty folding fabric roof and some added personalisation options to help it stand out. As if it needs that.
Exterior
Removing the roof of the DB11 has had the effect of making the car appear even more compact and it looks particularly pert at the rear roof up or down. A fabric construction for the top features eight layers and it takes 14 seconds to lower the roof to what Aston calls a 'class-leading stack height', which helps keep the rear bodywork low. The roof hides behind a flush metal panel when down. Raising it takes 16 seconds and both operations can be carried out at speeds of up to 50km/h. The roof can be operated from the key fob remotely, too, though presumably not at those speeds... Buyers can choose from Bordeaux Red, Black Silver or Grey Silver for the roof and the Volante also features a new design of 20-inch alloy wheel, available in several different finishes.
Interior
For what it's worth, the DB11 Volante has 20 per cent more boot space than its predecessor, the Aston Martin DB9 Volante, but you don't buy an open-topped sports car in the pursuit of luggage room, do you? The cabin remains a 2+2 design with occasional rear seating (with ISOFIX child seat points!) and the Volante introduces the unique option of wood or carbon fibre veneer panels for the backs of the front seats, giving it an extra eye-catching feature when the roof is stowed away. Otherwise the cabin is as it is in the DB11 Coupe, which means shapely surroundings made from top materials, including some beautifully and uniquely stitched leather.
Mechanicals
The Aston DB11 Volante will be launched exclusively with V8 power. As in the DB11 V8 Coupe, the petrol engine is a development of AMG's biturbo 4.0-litre unit. For the DB11, it produces 510hp at 6,000rpm and 675Nm of torque between 2,000- and 5,000rpm. Top speed for the Volante is quoted at 300km/h (the same as the Coupe manages) and 0-100km/h takes 4.1 seconds (just 0.1 seconds slower). An eight-speed automatic transmission channels power to the rear wheels via a mechanical limited slip differential. As in the Coupe, there are three driving modes (GT, Sport and Sport+), along with three settings for the adaptive damping.
Anything else?
A few quotes from Aston Martin, perhaps? President and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Andy Palmer, said: "For many of our customers, indeed many generations of Aston Martin customer, the Volante has always offered something very special: a unique combination of elegant style, innate sporting ability and sensory engagement that lifts it above other open-top cars. The new DB11 Volante captures those qualities perfectly and promises the kind of pleasure and enjoyment that can only come from driving an open-top Aston Martin".
Max Szwaj, Aston Martin Chief Technical Officer, adds: "The challenge of creating a convertible car is retaining structural and dynamic integrity. To protect the former you need strength and rigidity, but to preserve the latter you need to keep weight to a minimum. With the DB11 Volante we have maximised the advantages of the DB11's all-new bonded structure to underpin our new Volante with a structure that's 26kg lighter and 5 per cent stiffer than its predecessor. The result is a truly magnificent car. One that combines greater performance and agility with increased comfort, refinement and interior space for occupants and their luggage".
You can order your Aston Martin DB11 Volante now with first deliveries in spring 2018. Here's a video of it if you need further convincing:
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