LONDON: Aston Martin is introducing the DB12 Volante convertible, which is built alongside its Coupe stablemate, boasting the same design, engineering and technology advances.
Although the British carmaker pitches the DB12 as a new generation model, it is essentially a refreshed version of the DB11 featuring a more potent V8, a reskinned exterior, a new cabin and a stiffer chassis.
Thanks to changes to underbody components, including the engine cross brace, the Volante sees a 3.7% increase in global torsional stiffness, along with focused improvement in lateral stiffness and gains in suspension performance and refinement.
According to Aston Martin, the 4.0 twin-turbo V8 engine delivers best-in-class power and a sporty soundtrack, with a 34% increase in output compared to the Coupe.
The engine produces 671bhp at 6000rpm and 800Nm between 2750-6000rpm, enabling the Volante to sprint from 0-100kph in 3.7 seconds and gets it to a top speed of 325kph.
The Volante features a ZF 8-speed automatic transmission, shortened final drive ratio, and Electronic Rear Differential (E-Diff) for agility and stability.
The main difference between the Coupe and Volante are detail revisions to rear spring rate and a dedicated damper tune.
It offers five drive modes and four-stage electronic stability control to allow the driver to precisely tailor its behaviour.
Standard 21-inch alloy wheels are Michelin Pilot S 5 tyres, and the Volante offers cast-iron front and rear discs, with an optional Carbon Ceramic Brake system for increased performance and reduced weight.
The Volante's "K-fold" roof, with its two-stage folding procedure, offers a 260mm stack height and a class-leading luggage capacity. Featuring 8 layers of insulation the fabric roof canopy is acoustically enhanced for improved interior cabin comfort.
When raised, the sculpted roof line maintains the DB12’s profile. When lowered the K-fold mechanism sits low beneath a hard tonneau cover to create an elegant tail.
The roof operation takes 14 seconds to open and 16 seconds to close and can be used at speeds of up to 49kph and into a 49kph headwind.
The Volante offers four exterior hood colours. Black is standard, with a choice of Red, Blue and ‘Black and Silver’ as options, allowing for customisation and complementing the car's body and interior colours.
One detail sets the Volante interior apart from its Coupe counterpart; wood veneer or carbon fibre panels on the seatbacks matched to the door trim inlay to create an extra layer of visual interest and luxury when the roof is lowered.
The DB12 range is the first to receive Aston Martin’s next-generation infotainment system. Entirely bespoke and developed from scratch with industry leading suppliers of hardware, UI, UX and audio systems, it is Aston Martin’s first in-house system.
The system is fully integrated, with 10.25" Pure Black touchscreen technology and capacitive single and multi-finger gesture control.
The navigation system features online connectivity, 3D mapping, connected dynamic routing, satellite view, WHAT3WORDS destination input, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Volante also offers wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Q by Aston Martin offers a luxury personalisation service for the DB12 Volante, allowing customers to create a one-off convertible.
The Volante will make its global debut at Monterey Car Week in California this week. with production starting in Q3 2023 and deliveries scheduled for Q4.
