Aston Martin has wasted no time capitalizing on the acclaim of its all-new GT and successor to the iconic DB9. One year after the introduction of its range-topping DB11 V12, the UK-based luxury manufacturer debuted a V8-powered derivative with greater agility and precision.
Now comes the third member of the DB11 family — taut and topless. The DB11 Volante shares its powertrain with the DB11 V8, meaning 503 horsepower and 513 pound-feet of torque is channeled to the rear wheels via a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission. Though Aston Martin didn’t confirm 0 to 60 mph acceleration, expect the Volante to be just off the pace of the DB11 V8’s 4.0-second sprint.
Underpinning the roofless DB11 is the same aluminum-intensive platform as its fixed roof kin, reinforced to maintain the sports car’s driving dynamics (as a general rule, convertible versions yield some chassis rigidity). As a result, the DB11 Volante is 57 lbs lighter and 5 percent stiffer than its predecessor, the DB9 Volante.
Like the DB11 Coupe models, the Volante’s three-stage powertrain and suspension modes adjust throttle response, steering feel, transmission aggression, and suspension damping based on driver preference and road conditions.
The DB11 Volante begins to deviate from its coupe counterparts when it comes to styling and creature comforts. The coupe’s aluminum clamshell hood and curlicue side vent carry over, but are joined by unique forged alloy wheels, new wood or carbon fiber trim panels on the seat backs, and a tailored fabric roof.
Customers can choose from bordeaux red, black silver, or grey silver colors for the 8-layer fabric roof. When stowed, the folding roof sits lower than any other car in its class and closes in an ultra-quick 16 seconds. Drivers can also convert the top remotely via the key fob, or while in motion (up to 31 mph).
“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,” remarked Aston Martin president and CEO, Andy Palmer, in a statement. “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.”
Aston Martin will ship the first DB11 Volante models, priced from $216,495, to the U.S. starting in the second quarter of 2018.
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