New Aston holds the promise that it will drive as well as it looks - good
Callum Alexander | Callum on Cars | News
Aston Martin has never had a problem making their cars look good. And they haven't made a mess of this: the new DBS Superleggera Volante.
It is a beguiling beauty to behold that maintains their stylish status. But there are some serious performance details to accompany the bewitching portfolio. Like this one: it is the fastest convertible model in the company’s history, with the same 211mph top speed as the coupe. That’s pretty fast, but Aston don’t mention how quick their flagship drop-top will go with the roof down. Still very fast, probably.
More of those performance details include power sourced from a 5.2 litre twin-turbo V12 that outputs 715bhp, with 664Ib-ft of torque to compliment. All this propels the cropped topped DBS to 62mph in 3.6 seconds, with 100mph reached in 6.7 seconds.
Aston have delved deep into aerodynamics to hone the handling of the new DBS Volante. The car’s front splitter and airdam channel air underneath the car for more effective downforce, that doubles up for more efficient cooling of the front brakes. Plus, a deeper side strake funnels more air from the front wheel arches to reduce lift and increase high speed stability.
As well as that, behind the front wheels is the ‘curlicue’ that draws air out of the arches to dissipate along the flanks. At the back, a revised version of the Aeroblade II system adds more downforce - it has been adapted to accommodate the fabric roof. All this aero fettling means the DBS Volante makes 177kg of downforce at Vmax – 3kg less than the Coupe.
The 664Ib-ft of torque is drilled through a carbon fibre prop shaft that connects to a new 8-speed automatic transmission, positioned at the rear.
While Astons have always appeased your eyes visually, the same can’t always be said about the handling capabilities of some models in the past. This notion has been specifically exacerbated in variants donning a fabric drop top. Take the DB9 Volante: it adorned striking looks and had a raucous engine note to fill your ear drums. But in truth, it always looked sharper than it was to drive.
But so far, with the new DBS Superleggera Volante, there are encouraging signs that this stereotype has changed, and will be no more.
The new roof features eight layers of insulation and ‘acoustically enhancing materials’ and takes 14 seconds to drop down and 16 seconds to close up. It has a stack height of just 260mm when folded down. You can foray through an array of eight colours when choosing to tailor your fabric roof piece, with another six to select from when picking the interior headlining.
Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Volante
Price: £249,500
Engine: 5.2 litre twin-turbo V12, 715bhp, 664lb ft
Transmission: 8-speed auto, RWD
Performance: 0-62mph 3.6secs, top speed 211mph
Economy: 20 mpg, 295 g/km CO2
Weight (dry): 1863kg
But this isn’t a flimsy, delicate rose petal of roof though, it has been tested in extreme weather: from the searing heat of Death Valley to the perishing cold of the Arctic Circle. It should be able to withstand a sudden downpour in London then.
To save some weight, a twilled carbon fibre option can be ticked to surround the window screen.
These minor details just amplify the coolness dripping off the DBS Volante - it compels you to stare with endeared rhapsody. Because the DBS Superleggera Volante is oozing coolness from every angle - roof up or down - you can’t help but marvel at the allure exuding from the poised and balanced exterior. Only now, unlike some Aston convertibles of old, it might just drive as well as it looks.
To fill your pupils with this exotic paraphernalia on a regular basis, you will have stomp up £247,500. If you do, deliveries are expected in the Autumn of this year.
Callum Alexander | Callum on Cars | News
Photos: Aston Martin
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