![]() With its blocky graphics, clunky interface and modest 8.0-inch screen, it seems unbecoming of a £250k car. The old-tech Mercedes-Benz media system is a case in point. There are longer shift paddles, shapelier seats, a hooded instrument binnacle and a squared-off steering wheel, but little else differs from the DB11: a car first launched in 2016. Inside is where the DBS clearly reveals its roots. Skyhook adaptive dampers have three settings – GT, Sport and Sport+ – and the brakes are standard carbon-ceramic discs, framed by 21-inch forged alloys and Pirelli P Zero tyres. A bespoke Aston Martin engine rather than a rebadged AMG unit, it’s connected via a carbon-fibre propshaft to a ZF semi-auto gearbox at the back of the car.įront suspension is by double wishbones, with a multi-link set-up at the rear. The DBS is almost mid-engined, its V12 wedged tight against the scuttle and clamped beneath chassis-stiffening cross braces. At 1,863kg without fluids, it’s 170kg heavier than the coupe, albeit with improved 50:50 weight distribution.įlip-up the front-hinged bonnet and you see how that perfect balance is achieved. There’s nothing particularly ‘super light’ about the Volante, though. The mottled ‘chopped carbon’ badges divide opinion, but I love the retro ‘Superleggera’ script either side of the car’s nostrils, which replicates the logo of the famous Italian carrozzeria. Other extras include a wind deflector, Bang and Olufsen audio system and (oddly Porsche Boxster-esque) smoked rear lamps. A special-order shade, it glints yellow in the Spanish sunshine, showing off the Volante’s flawless physique. Sadly, Q’s efforts didn’t include rotating number plates or pop-out machine guns, but then pearlescent Cosmos Orange paint is hardly suitable for a spy. With options factored in, the price of my test car had snowballed to £301,760. Much of the profit on cars like this stems from personalisation, and Aston Martin’s ‘Q’ division (note the knowing Bond reference) is happy to help. The extra space is needed for the roof, which disappears flat beneath the rear deck. Park the two cars side-by-side and the Volante’s haunches are appreciably broader and even more athletic. Nonetheless, details such as the ‘curlicues’ behind the front wheels, double diffuser and ‘Aeroblade II’ rear spoiler deliver real downforce a total of 177kg at Vmax is just 3kg less than the coupe. Unlike some supercars, the Aston doesn’t resort to aggressive aero appendages. Sinewy and shrink-wrapped, it bulges in all the right places. The DBS Superleggera was already the best looking car on sale, but the Volante kicks it off the catwalk. Did I mention it looks knee-tremblingly gorgeous, too? Model behaviour Available in eight different colours, it takes 14 seconds to open and 16 seconds to close. The Volante uses the same roof as the DB11. ‘Chopped carbon’ finish on the badges is interesting, too. ![]() This Cosmos Orange colour glints yellow in the sun. Efficiency figures (like you care) are 20.1mpg and 295g/km.īest looking car currently on sale? The DBS Volante is surely in with a shout… That equates to 0-62mph in 3.6sec, 0-100mph in 6.7sec and 211mph flat-out – the latter achievable with the roof up or down, apparently. Power comes from a 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12, and there’s plenty of it: 725hp at 6,500rpm. This drop-top version costs £247,500 and first deliveries are scheduled for autumn 2019. Blowing a galeįor those not versed in all things Aston, ‘Volante’ means convertible and the DBS Superleggera is the firm’s flagship GT. Still, the old-school Aston Martin is signing off in some style. ![]() The new DBS Superleggera Volante, with its fulsome front-mounted V12, already feels like the end of an era. And both also employ a downsized, hybridised V6: a first for the brand. The Vanquish is due a year later, a direct rival for the Ferrari F8 Tributo and McLaren 720S.īoth cars break the mould by being mid-engined. The ‘Son of Valkyrie’ AM-RB 003 hypercar – since christened Valhalla – arrives in 2021 and will be Daniel Craig’s wheels in the next Bond movie. Back in March, Aston Martin stole the Geneva Motor Show with two radical concepts.
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