Aston Martin DBS Volante

Aston Martin launch this year it's fastest ever production convertible. Aston Martin's 16th convertible in 95 years, the DBS Volante. The Aston Martin DB9 was conceived and designed, from the outset, as both a Coupe and a convertible (Volante). This uncompromising approach is typical of the whole DB9 engineering philosophy.

Aston Martin's newest convertible has drawn together learning taken from the engineering of previous soft-top cars has resulted in the Aston Martin 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 hood, which mirrors the lines of the DBS Coupe, lowers in just 14 seconds and can be activated at speeds of up to 30 mph at the touch of a button.

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 fiber deck lid which has been re-styled for the DBS Volante. Despite the seemingly vintage design, expect thorough insulation to keep the Volante nearly as quiet as the standard hard top.

It's nothing but the best for the DBS Volante. Benefitting from materials derived from the motorsport and aerospace industries, the bonnet, front wings and boot lid are made from carbon fiber all helping to reduce weight. The body is constructed around an alloy "tub" and uses carbon fiber and aluminum in its body structure. Standard equipment will included a paddle-shift manual gearbox with full automatic mode. The braking system uses carbon ceramic discs and the suspension is governed by Aston's Adaptive Damping system.

Keeping the weight to a minimum has been a keen focus with the new Aston Martin DBS convertible and of course with low weight you can enjoy a much faster car. Aston says it was able to keep the weight down (the DBS Volante tips the scales at 3,990 pounds) through the use of a lightweight roof mechanism, along with a carbon fiber hood, front splitter and trunk lid. Aston Martin claims a 0-62 mph time of 4.2 seconds with a top speed of 190 mph.

As with the coupe, the Aston Martin DBS Volante is offered with carbon ceramic brakes as standard providing exceptional stopping power.

Aside from the fabric roof, the Aston Martin DBS Volante will be identical to its coupe brother. It will be powered by the same 6.0-liter V12 engine that delivers 510bhp at 6500rpm and a peak torque of 420 lb.ft at 5750rpm. It looks elegant and perfectly proportioned from every angle - with roof up or down DB9 is a thoroughbred sports car with GT levels of comfort and refinement. Its design philosophy is uncompromising and brings together everything that makes a sports car great with that unique Aston Martin character, borne out of craftsmanship and use of the finest quality materials.

Truly great luxury sports cars are few and far between. In a world where innovation is all too often hampered by compromise, pure performance is a rarity available only to the genuinely discerning. For the first time you can say that Aston Martins not only have one of the glitziest badges in the business but also genuinely make some of the best-looking and best-driving cars in the world too - and much more reliable ones at that.

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