Completing the DBS line-up, the new Volante will afford customers the combination of the DBS's already-established benchmark sports car characteristics with all the thrills of open-air motoring.
Featuring a motorised retractable fabric roof, the DBS's beautiful profile is preserved whether up or down. When the roof is closed, it provides a warm comfortable ambience and when open, it neatly disappears behind the new tonneau cover at the touch of a button.
Broadening the DBS's character, the DBS Volante will appeal to drivers who wish to combine the excitement of driving a finely-tuned sports car with the invigorating feeling of being open to the elements. This juxtaposition of ultimate performance and openness stirs the senses on any drive whether a exhilarating jaunt on favoured roads or cruising on lengthy journeys. 'Volante', meaning: 'moving with light rapidity', perfectly defines the performance potential and the dynamic characteristics of the DBS Volante.
Although the DBS was originally conceived as a two-seater sports GT, the potential for a Volante version was always in the minds of the design team.
Holding a purposeful stance, the muscular shapes and forms of the DBS have been retained exuding confidence.
Aston Martins 16th convertible, learning taken from the engineering of previous soft-top cars has resulted in the DBS Volante possessing Aston Martin's quietest and most refined roof system to date. When raised, the fabric roof is insulated with a layer of Thinsulate® material relieving cabin noise and protecting the inhabitants from the elements. The hydraulic pump has been cocooned in a noise and vibration enclosure reducing noise when raising and lowering the hood.
The newly choreographed hood has resulted in an opening time of only 14 seconds due to a new five-piston hydraulic pump. The roof effortlessly stows below the newly-sculpted tonneau cover which has been redesigned to enhance the muscular attributes of the DBS Volante. Housing the Roll-Over-Protection-System (ROPS) which deploys two roll bars in the event of the car rolling over, the rear humps lead your eye to the new carbon fibre deck lid which has been re-styled for the DBS Volante. Particular to the DBS, a line flows from the leading edge of the bonnet past the elegantly sloped windscreen flowing into the carbon fibre deck lid and to the rear boot 'flip'.
The need for high-performance stability, handling ability and low kerb weight defined the DBS's form and construction. The DBS Volante is powered by the same 6.0-litre V12 engine at the heart of the DBS which was launched in 2007. Producing 510 bhp (517 PS / 380kW), peak power is delivered at 6500 rpm and the 570 Nm (420 lb ft) of torque is delivered at 5750 rpm. Tractable at any time, the DBS possesses a 'flat' torque curve providing 85% of the torque from 1500 rpm.
The 3.71:1 (manual) and 3.46:1 (Touchtronic) final drive ratio assures that all the DBS Volante's power is useable, while also enhancing in-gear acceleration.
Adding to the sonorous V12 enhances the aural soundtrack. Special by-pass valves in the exhaust allow a quieter exhaust note at low speeds; at 4000 rpm these open to reduce the pressure in the exhaust system, raising the power output as well as generating a rousing aural accompaniment.
Contributing to the class-leading levels of rigidity, the VH-platform (Vertical – Horizontal) upon which all Aston Martins are founded, ensures a dynamically accomplished convertible translating into an exciting and communicative chassis. The VH architecture is a bonded aluminium structure that provides outstanding strength and rigidity. In comparison to its coupe sibling, the Volante retains 75% of the rigidity equating to 20kNm per degree. This has been achieved by rigidly mounting the rear sub frame and optimising the front and rear shear panels. Working together these components contribute to more than 20% of the total torsional rigidity.
Augmenting the DBS Volante's supreme handling characteristics is the near perfect weight distribution – achieved by mounting the 6-speed gearbox at the rear placing 85% of the weight between the front and rear axle.
Body
Two-door convertible body style with 2+2 seating
Bonded aluminium VH structure
Aluminium, magnesium alloy and carbon-fibre composite body
Extruded aluminium door side-impact beams
High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps (main beam)
LED rear lamps and side repeaters
Engine
All-alloy, quad overhead camshaft, 48-valve, 5935cc V12.
Compression ratio 10.9:1
Front-mid mounted engine, rear-wheel drive
Fully catalysed stainless steel exhaust system with active bypass valves
Max power: 380kW (510bhp/517 PS) at 6500rpm
Max torque: 570Nm (420 lb.ft) at 5750rpm
Acceleration: 0-100km/h (0-62mph) in 4.3 seconds
Max speed: manual 307km/h (191mph)
Transmission
Rear-mid mounted, six-speed manual gearbox
Rear-mid mounted 'Touchtronic 2' six-speed gearbox with electronic shift-by-wire control system
Alloy torque tube with carbon fibre propeller shaft
Limited-slip differential
Final-drive ratio 3.71:1 (manual) 3.46:1 (Touchtronic)
Wheels and Tyres
Front: 8.5'' x 20'' Pirelli P Zero 245/35
Rear: 11'' x 20'' Pirelli P Zero 295/30
Steering
Rack and pinion, Servotronic speed-sensitive power-assisted steering, 3.0 turns lock-to-lock
Column tilt and reach adjustment
Suspension
Front: Independent double wishbone incorporating anti-dive geometry, coil springs, anti-roll bar and monotube adaptive dampers
Rear: Independent double wishbones with anti-squat and anti-lift geometry, coil springs, anti-roll bar and monotube adaptive dampers
Adaptive Damping System (ADS) with Track mode
Brakes
Front: Ventilated carbon ceramic discs, 398mm diameter with six-piston calipers
Rear: Ventilated carbon ceramic discs, 360mm diameter with four-piston calipers
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) with Track mode
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)
Emergency Brake Assist (EBA)
Traction control
Dimensions
Length: 4721mm (185.9'')
Width: 1905mm (75'') (exc. Mirrors)
2060mm (81.1'') (inc. Mirrors)
Wheelbase: 2740mm (107.9'')
Fuel tank capacity: 78 litres (17.2 Imp.galls, 20.5 US galls)
Height: 1280mm (50.4'')
Weight: 1810kg
Interior
Full grain leather interior
Matrix alloy facia trim and Iridium Silver centre console surround
Carbon fibre door trims and door pulls
Auto-dimming rear-view mirror & garage door opener (USA & Canada only)
Sports seats with electric adjustment
Memory seats & exterior mirrors (three positions)
Dual-stage driver/passenger front airbags
Side airbags
Heated seats
Heated rear screen
Automatic temperature control
Organic Electroluminescent (OEL) displays
Trip computer
LED map lights
Cruise control
Hard Disk Drive (HDD) satellite navigation system*1,2
Bluetooth telephone preparation*1
Powerfold exterior mirrors
Front and rear parking sensors
Tyre-pressure monitoring*1
Alarm and immobiliser
Remote-control central door locking and boot release
Wind deflector
Tracking device*3 (UK only)
Boot-mounted umbrella
Lamy pen and pen holder (Touchtronic only)
In-Car Entertainment
Bang & Olufsen BeoSound DBS sound system
Integrated Apple iPod®*4 connector
USB connector with Waveform Audio Format (WAF), Windows Media Player (WMA) and MPEG (MP3) audio file compatibility
3.5mm auxiliary input socket
Options
20'' 20-spoke alloy wheels with graphite finish
20" 10-spoke diamond-turned alloy wheels
20" 10-spoke diamond-turned alloy wheels with graphite finish
Sports tyres
Magnum Silver bonnet meshes
Satellite radio system (USA only)
Piano Black facia trim and centre console surround
Polished Alloy tread plates
Personalised sill plaques
Auto-dimming interior rear-view mirror*1
Auto-dimming interior rear-view mirror with garage door opener (Europe only)
Alarm upgrade (volumetric and tilt sensor)
Tracking device*1,3
First-aid kit
Smokers' pack
*1 Not available in all markets
*2 Includes Traffic Messaging Channel (TMC) in Continental Europe
*3 Complies with UK Thatcham Category 5 requirements. Excludes subscription. Standard in UK.
*4 iPod is a trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the US and other countries
