Aston Martin have revealed the new DB11 Volante, a model the British marque calls their most elegant of convertible yet.
Joining the DB11 Coupe which was launched last year, the new DB11 Volante is powered by the same twin-turbo V8 engine and bonded aluminium structure first seen in the DB11 Coupe.
Lighter and more rigid than the model it replaces, the DB11 Volante has been engineered to deliver a much broader range of abilities. Aston Martin have developed the DB11 Volante for greater levels of performance and handling, while increased refinement, comfort and interior space ensure it remains a true GT car.
The V8 Volante has 3-stage powertrain and chassis modes which configure the the 8-speed paddle-shift automatic transmission, electric power steering and limited-slip differential with dynamic torque vectoring.
Creature comforts such as a heated steering wheel for all-season open-air motoring, and rear seat ISOFIX attachment points - a first for a Volante model - bring added versatility.
Visually the DB11 Volante features a single-piece aluminium bonnet and ‘Curlicue’ aerodynamic feature from the DB11 Coupe, combined with new wood or carbon fibre veneer panels on the seat backs, a tailored fabric hood – available in a choice of bordeaux red, black silver or grey silver - ultra-slim ‘light blade’ tail lights that create a bold C graphic and a striking new design of forged alloy wheel.
The defining feature of the DB11 Volante is its convertible roof. The all-new 8-layer roof takes just 14 seconds to lower and 16 to close and can be operated remotely from the key, or on the move at speeds of up to 50km/h. The new hood system has also led to a 20 per cent gain in boot volume compared to the outgoing DB9 Volante.
Aston Martin President and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Andy Palmer, said of the DB11 Volante: “For many of our customers, indeed many generations of Aston Martin customer, 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. 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”.
Max Szwaj, Aston Martin Chief Technical Officer, added: “The challenge of creating a convertible car is retaining structural and dynamic integrity. To protect the former you need strength and rigidity, but to preserve the latter you need to keep weight to a minimum. With the DB11 Volante we have maximised the advantages of the DB11’s all-new bonded structure to underpin our new Volante with a structure that’s 26kg lighter and 5 per cent stiffer than its predecessor. The result is a truly magnificent car. One that combines greater performance and agility with increased comfort, refinement and interior space for occupants and their luggage”.
Local pricing has not yet been confirmed. But first deliveries of the DB11 Volante are scheduled to begin during the first quarter of 2018.
