Aston Martin drops the top on the DB12 Volante
Aston Martin has already claimed that the DB12 is in a class of its own as the world’s first ‘super tourer’ and soon you’ll be able to enjoy the exciting new pastime of super touring with the wind in your hair at up to 202 mph, thanks to the introduction of a Volante version.
Powered by a 680-hp, twin-turbo, four-liter V-8 sourced from Mercedes-AMG the DB12 massively outguns the 577-horsepower SL, although you can also expect it cost at least a dollar more for each of those extra horses.
Removing the roof clearly compromises the rigidity so Aston’s engineers have done their best to beef up the chassis. Rear suspension upper and lateral mounts are stiffer and an engine cross-brace is installed to boost the car’s torsional stiffness by five percent. The front axles is stiffened by 140 percent and a non-isolated steering column are claimed to improve steering feel.
Although plenty of metal and glass has gone in the conversion, the Volante is actually 245 lbs heavier than the coupe thanks to the extra bracing. Straight line speed is barely impacted, though, with 0-62 mph taking 3.7 seconds compared to the coupe’s 3.6.
The drop top is ‘K-fold’ design similar to the the DB11’s but now with eight layers of fabric to keep the elements at bay. It can open in 14 seconds and close in 16 seconds while driving at up to 31 mph. When stowed it sits neatly below a sleek tonneau complete with twin aerodynamic fairings.
“For many of our customers, roof down driving is the greatest pleasure,” says Aston Martin Chief Executive Officer, Amedeo Felisa. “Aston Martin Volantes have captured that emotion and expressed it in unique style for more than six decades. With the new DB12 Volante we have changed the rules, creating a car that intensifies those feelings by preserving all the purity and exceptional sporting capabilities of the DB12 Coupe. A rare and true sporting convertible in every respect, this is a car to challenge preconceptions and find a new generation of Volante customer.”
The first deliveries will begin before the end of 2023.
Uh, Aston Martin but the motor come from Mercedes??? Make your own motors or get lost. Besides, now that Biden has just about outlawed ICE, whats the point?
I agree completely. Aston Martin must have an Aston Martin engine. The AMG engine is a great engine, but it has absolutely no business being in an “Aston Martin.” Stroll and ex-CEO Moers should be drawn and quartered. Felisa can now be added to that list. Put Aston’s V12 in this. Not because it needs a bigger engine (or more cylinders), but because it needs to be the real thing. For me, I t’s absolutely necessary for an Aston to have an Aston engine. Would a Ferrari be a Ferrari with someone else’s engine? Of course not, and the thought of such a thing is absurd. Same goes for Aston Martin.
Where have you been? 😆 AM has been raiding the AMG motor stable for years now. I think that most AM owners welcome the improved performance and reliability. As for the politics, let’s leave those for another forum, especially when the facts are AWOL.
Aston has not had it’s own motor in a long time. They have been outsourcing that for quite awhile. I do like that interior. It is nice except for the stupid gear selector section.
Any room for more than a squishable duffel bag in that thing while you’re doing all that “super touring”. Gran turismo used to mean more than being able to go 200 mph.
I wish we could upload pictures so that you could see the MC20’s trunk. I’m guessing that DB12’s will look quite spacious in comparison. I think my wife and I could each have a modest duffle bag for a long weekend. Though the MC20 isn’t really a GT car. Make any hardtop into a convertible, and you’re going to lose a decent amount of trunk space, though. Those who wish take longer trips may do well to stick with the hardtop. 😁
I suspect the Mercedes V8 critics could not afford this car. The AMG engine is a fine piece of engineering and in my opinion does not detract from Aston Martin’s image. Frankly I’ve never been a fan of the “exhaust sound” of the Austin Martin V12.
With all the demands for durability and emissions reductions it makes a better business case, and better product for the buyer, for Austin Martin to concentrate their spending on a fine automobile instead of designing their own engine.
Old Bib, your comment warrants its own reply. The notion that those of us who want an Aston Martin engine in our Aston Martin “could not afford this car” is not merely incorrect — it’s spectacularly presumptuous and ignorant.
By the way, it’s ASTON Martin, not Austin Martin…
Tim, I’ve been saying this since the moment they began buying off-the-shelf engines from AMG for the current Vantage… Things have now gotten worse, however, since the DB11 was available with Aston’s V12 and the DBS was V12-only. Now, the DB12 (oh, the irony) is Benz V8-only. Are there no more Astons with Aston engines? Also, what is the improved reliability you reference? Aston’s own V8 and V12 are durable and reliable engines. By the way, the most unreliable car I ever had was a Mercedes-Benz.
Gary, that’s completely untrue (unless your definition of an Aston engine means a completely clean sheet design). The V12 in the DB11 and DBS, and the Valour, is Aston’s own engine. It’s based on the Duratec V6 architecture, but it is a purpose-built V12 specifically and exclusively for Aston Martin. The 4.3/4.7 V8 from the previous V8 Vantage was based on Jaguar‘s V8, but was so completely and comprehensively re-designed that it has its own, Aston-specific block, crank, bearings, conrods, pistons, rings, heads, cams, valves, etc. It shares essentially nothing with the Jaguar engine. To me, they are Aston Martin engines. The AMG V8 is nothing of the sort, it’s a straight off the Benz shelf and the engine itself is exactly the same engine used in hundreds of thousands of Benz cars. Completely different worlds.
My question: where will all these beautiful things “be” 30 years post “total electric”?