New 2019 Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Volante breaks cover
The new 715bhp Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Volante is the fastest convertible in the brand’s history with a 211mph top speed
The new drop-top Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Volante has been officially revealed, with a top speed of 211mph making it the fastest convertible in the British brand’s history.
Closely related to the DBS Superleggera coupe, the Volante ditches the conventional fixed roof for an eight-layer folding fabric mechanism. The hood opens in 14 seconds and closes in 16, which can be operated either from the inside, or by the key within two metres of the car.
The Volante’s engine matches that of the coupe: that means power comes from a 5.2-litre twin-turbocharged V12 with 715bhp and 900Nm of torque, mated to an eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox.
Despite wearing a fabric hood in place of the coupe’s hard top - and the additional chassis strengthening required to compensate for the loss of the solid roof - the top speed remains the same. The 3.6-second 0-62mph time is 0.2 seconds slower, though, while it’ll accelerate from 50-100mph in fourth gear in 4.2 seconds.
Despite the truncated roof design of the Volante, the aerodynamic performance has barely altered from the coupe. At that 211mph top speed, the Volante produces 177kg of downforce - a drop of just 3kg compared to the hard top variant.
Inside, the cabin matches the design of the coupe, though buyers can choose from one of six finishes for the headlining.
Prices start from £247,500 - £22,500 more than the coupe - with first deliveries due in the third quarter of 2019. When it launches, its closest rival will come in the shape of the Bentley Continental GT Convertible, which is priced from £175,100.
Click here to read our review of the Aston Martin DBS Superleggera coupe...
