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Aston Martin has created a convertible version of its Super GT flagship and combined three iconic nameplates. The DBS Superleggera Volante is the second Aston Martin to carry the Volante name following the introduction of the company’s Second Century Plan. It was designed in-house under the guidance of Executive Vice President & Chief Creative Officer Marek Reichman. Aston Martin’s primary mission, it states, was to retain the coupe’s dynamics, poise and performance.
Mr Reichman said, “DBS Superleggera produces a spectacular and relentless level of performance and so for the Volante, we focussed on bringing that extra level of sensory overload that only an open-top Super GT can deliver inside the cabin. With the unique dynamics, beautiful yet brutish design and the unmistakable harmonics of Aston Martin’s 5.2-litre V12 engine, we believe we have delivered a unique and unforgettable driving experience that is synonymous with the traditions of the Volante name.”
Powered by Aston Martin’s own 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12, producing 533kW and 900Nm of torque for a top speed of 340km/h, the DBS Superleggera Volante delivers ferocious acceleration, covering 0-100km/h in just 3.6 seconds and 0-160km/h in 6.7 seconds.
DBS Superleggera Volante retains the aerodynamic features of the coupe model, exploiting the surface airflow to maximum effect. At the front, the car’s splitter and airdam work together, accelerating airflow underneath the front of the car to deliver true downforce and assist cooling by feeding air to the front brakes. The new deeper side-strake draws more air from the front wheel arch to reduce lift and aid high-speed stability.
Behind the front wheels, the ‘curlicue’ allows air to escape and flow smoothly along the car’s flanks, while the double diffuser at the rear allows air to exit cleanly and neutralise lift as efficiently as possible. A revised iteration – to accommodate the Volante’s different roofline – of the revolutionary Aeroblade ll system continues to deliver additional downforce at the car’s rear. At VMAX, DBS Superleggera Volante produces 177kg of downforce, just 3kg less than the coupe.
Each dynamic driving mode brings its own level of noise too. In GT mode, the engine note simmers, but select Sport or Sport Plus and the acoustics become progressively more intense. Conversely, when you wish to be discreet (or avoid annoying the neighbours), ‘quiet start’ offers a low-key alternative to DBS Superleggera Volante’s otherwise rousing flare of revs on start-up.
900Nm of torque is fed via a carbon-fibre prop shaft to a new ZF 8-speed automatic transmission mounted at the back of the car. Strengthened to cope with the V12’s massive torque output, this transmission also has a shorter final drive for increased responsiveness and in-gear acceleration. Specially developed adaptive software gauges the conditions the car is operating in, along with the driver’s demands, to ensure the car is in exactly the right gear at the right time.
The defining feature of any Volante is its roof. An advanced fabric system allows for an innovative and beautifully formed flowing roof line. Incorporating eight layers of insulation materials, the canopy improves the comfort of the interior cabin for all occupants when up, but allows all the theatre of that engine noise into the cabin when retracted.
The soundtrack delivered by the car’s powertrain is a vital part of the overall experience and the DBS Superleggera Volante has been tuned to provide incredible sound quality synonymous with an Aston Martin Super GT through a quad exhaust system.
Aston Martin’s engineers worked hard to ensure the best possible roof and rear package was achieved. With a class-leading stack height of 260mm for the car’s folded roof, DBS Superleggera Volante maintains a smooth seamless rear profile and minimal loss of luggage capacity. The roof opens in 14 seconds and closes in 16 seconds. Opening or closing can be carried out from inside or, for added convenience, from the remote key within a two-metre radius of the car.
The convertible roof was extensively tested from Death Valley to the Arctic Circle during development, with more than 100,000 cycles simulating 10 years of usage into a one-month test.
The DBS hood is available in eight colours including Bordeaux Red, Atlantic Blue and Titan Grey. The hood can be further personalised on the inside, with a further six Rokona headliners. For the first time on an Aston Martin Volante model, the window screen surround is available with a 2×2 twill carbon fibre finish, with the option to continue that theme to the car’s tonneau cover and rear waterfall. Large pieces of finely-woven carbon fibre pieces replace what was once swathed in leather and for the most exclusive specifications, tinted carbon fibre is also available for selection.
Aston Martin Lagonda President and Group CEO, Dr Andy Palmer, said of the DBS Superleggera Volante: “There is nothing on earth that compares to the roar of an Aston Martin V12 and I believe that the DBS Superleggera Volante provides one of the greatest sensory experiences in the automotive world. This is truly a testament to the no-compromise approach of our engineers and designers, to deliver the two key aspects of a convertible Super GT. Exceptional performance in an irresistible form, DBS Superleggera has justifiably won the hearts and minds of Super GT lovers the world over, and the Volante takes this concept to the next level”.
DBS Superleggera Volante is priced at £247,500 (RRP inc Tax)* in the UK, €295,500 (RRP in Tax)* in Germany and $329,100 (MSRP inc. Gas Guzzler Tax)* in the US. Deliveries are set to begin from Q3 2019. We checked with Aston Martin and can confirm that the DBS Superleggera Volante will arrive in local showrooms in Q4 priced from $559,000 (plus on roads).
*Indicative pricing awaiting final homologation data