Following last week’s confirmation, Aston Martin has now gone and unveiled the new DB12 Volante convertible. This is the new drop-top version of the stunning DB12 super tourer.
The Volante showcases the same breathtaking design as the DB12 coupe, except there are some distinguishing highlights. The main one being the electronic K-fold roof. It has been engineered to offer a “class-leading” stack height of just 260mm, which helps to provide a clean design when folded down.
Aston Martin says it has improved the structural rigidity of the new model compared with the old DB11 Volante, adding special bracing under the body and for the rear suspension mounts, with an engine cross brace at the front. Such measures help to increase torsional stiffness by 5 per cent.
The company says it focused on “uncompromised performance and handling” with the new model, while ensuring it matches the dynamic capability of the DB12 coupe. Aston Martin chief technical officer, Roberto Fedeli, said:
“Volante possesses all the Super Tourer traits so successfully introduced in the DB12 Coupe. No longer the ‘softer’ option, DB12 Volante offers the stimulation of a true sports car with the unique pleasure and satisfaction that only a convertible Aston Martin can deliver.”
Handling performance is supported by new intelligent adaptive dampers which provide a 500 per cent increase in bandwidth of force distribution, Aston says, compared with the previous generation setup. There’s also an electric power steering system with a non-isolated steering column that uses a constant 13.09:1 rack ratio.
The DB12 Volante also comes standard with 21-inch forged alloy wheels wrapped in Aston Martin specific Michelin Pilot Sport 5 tyres. These hide 400mm front disc brakes and 360mm rear discs, or optional carbon ceramic items that reduce unsprung mass by 27kg.
Power comes from the same 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 as the coupe, producing 500kW (680PS) and 800Nm. This is sent though a ZF-based eight-speed automatic transmission with rear-wheel drive. Acceleration across 0-100km/h takes a claimed 3.7 seconds and the top speed is 325km/h.
Inside, again, the Volante borrows the fresh interior from the coupe, incorporating a 10.25-inch touch-screen that runs a new operating system. It also offers capacitive and gesture control.
Aston Martin’s new audio partner Bowers & Wilkins provides an 11-speaker, 390W surround sound system featuring QuantumLogic sound processing. An optional 15-speaker system is also on offer, running a whopping 1170W amplifier.
The Aston Martin DB12 Volante will go into production during the third quarter of this year, with the first customer deliveries penned in to commence during the final quarter. Australian details are yet to be confirmed.
