Aston Martin has revealed the new DB12 Volante, which is aimed at being the world’s first open-top ‘super tourer’. It is also the most powerful V8 convertible grandtourer (GT) by Aston Martin currently.
- Aston Martin DB12 Volante is 111kg heavier than the coupe
- It has the same top speed of 325kph as the DB12
- DB12 Volante will rival Ferrari Roma Spider, Bentley Continental GTC
Aston Martin DB12 Volante platform
The Volante aims to deliver the same “uncompromised” handling and performance provided by the DB12 coupe, Aston Martin explained. Chopping the roof off reduces the torsional rigidity required for outright dynamic ability, so special attention was paid to reinforcing the Volante’s chassis.
The suspension mounts have been made stiffer – by 140 percent at the front – and a crossbrace has been added across the engine bay. These revisions mean the DB12 Volante has 3.7 percent more torsional rigidity than the DB11. However, the latter's ‘K-fold’ soft top has been carried over to the DB12 Volante, and it can open in 14sec and close in 16sec at speeds of up to 50kph.
The addition of the soft top and stiffening the chassis has led to a 111kg weight penalty, but the Volante remains unchanged compared to the DB12 coupe.
Aston Martin DB12 Volante interior, powertrain
On the inside, the drop-top is unchanged, save for the option of wood-veneer seatbacks matched to the door cards – to create “an extra layer of visual interest” when the roof is down, according to Aston Martin.
The DB12 Volante is powered by the same Mercedes-AMG-sourced 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8, which sends up to 680hp and 800Nm of torque to the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic gearbox.
Despite the additional mass, the Volante’s straight-line performance only marginally trails that of the coupe: it dispatches the 0-100kph sprint just 0.1sec slower – in a claimed 3.7sec – while the top speed remains the same at 325kph.
Aston Martin DB12 Volante price
The hard-top Aston Martin DB12 is priced at Rs 4.8 crore (ex-showroom, before options). Expect the convertible DB12 Volante to be priced slightly higher. When launched, it will rival the Ferrari Roma Spider and Bentley Continental GT Convertible. Production of the DB12 Volante is set to begin soon, with deliveries commencing globally by the end of 2023.
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