New DBS Volante: feel the breeze.

Never mind feeling the breeze, it’ll be more like a hurricane in Aston Martin’s new 191 mph rag-top DBS Volante – but only in a good way, writes editor Nick de Cent.

Aston Martin’s new Volante made its debut at the Geneva Auto Salon on 3 March. Later this summer, fans of the legendary British marquee will be able to wrap their hands around the steering wheel of the new soft-top offering which completes the DBS line-up. The idea is that 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’.

Broadening the DBS’s character, the DBS Volante will appeal to owners seeking 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 during an ‘exhilarating jaunt on favoured roads’ or cruising on lengthy journeys. Aston Martin chose the name ‘Volante’, meaning ‘moving with light rapidity’, because it ‘perfectly defines the performance potential and the dynamic characteristics of the DBS Volante’.

Roof up or down

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. Featuring a motorised retractable fabric roof, the DBS’s striking profile is preserved whether the top’s 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. The roof is fully retractable in only 14 seconds and at up to speeds of 30 mph (48 km/h) and being made of fabric it keeps the weight down.

Aston Martin’s chief executive officer, Dr Ulrich Bez told ModernSelling.com: ‘The DBS Volante delivers the utmost relaxed driving experience with the hood up or down. It combines engineering excellence with design perfection.’

He added: ‘The DBS Volante offers a subtle mix of power and performance. Adding to this, the fine craftsmanship – it is an unparalleled ownership and driving experience.’.

Power

Power is provided by Aston Martin’s hand-built all alloy 6.0-litre V12 engine, producing 510 bhp (380 kW / 517 PS), and 570 Nm (420 lb ft) of torque with a top speed of 191 mph (307 km/h) and 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) sprint time of 4.3 seconds. The nature of the V12, and in particular the torque available at all engine speeds, serves to provide effortless driving in all situations: tractable at any time, the DBS possesses a ‘flat’ torque curve providing 85% of the torque from 1,500 rpm.

Handling

Augmenting the DBS Volante’s excellent handling characteristics is near perfect weight distribution – achieved by mounting the 6-speed gearbox at the rear, thus placing 85% of the weight between the front and rear axle.
To take full advantage of its extremely precise and rigid platform, the DBS employs a sophisticated Adaptive Damping System (ADS) specifically tuned for the DBS Volante to maximise ride comfort. It uses two separate valves to set the dampers to five different positions, allowing instant adjustment of the car’s ride and handling characteristics. The ADS automatically alters the suspension settings to ensure the driver has high levels of control at all times, with the ability to respond instantly to different driving conditions. The dampers can be ‘softer’, with a corresponding improvement in ride quality, or ‘firm’, providing improved body control for more spirited driving.

The damper settings are determined by an electronic control unit which takes sensor readings from the car’s systems, including throttle position, brake position, steering wheel rotation and vehicle speed. This data establishes the prevailing driving conditions and the demands the driver is making on the car. The system ensures stiffer dampers are available for better handling and control when the car is being driven ‘enthusiastically’, without compromising ride comfort during ‘normal’ driving conditions. A designated ‘Track’ mode automatically sets all dampers to their firmest positions, making it ideal for circuit driving.

Road-holding

The Volante is fitted with Pirelli P-Zero tyres that have been developed especially for the car.  It also has a revised Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system specifically tuned to the Volante to help maintain maximum traction in challenging driving conditions. In default operation, the DSC is automatically on. Select and press the button for two seconds and DSC ‘Track’ mode is engaged, raising the threshold at which the system intervenes to allow the experienced driver to explore the car’s limits. Hold the button for four seconds and DSC is disengaged entirely.

Roof down, sounds up: perfect.

As with the coupe, the Volante affords customers the prospect of specifying the optional 10-spoke 20’’ forged aluminium lightweight wheel with diamond-turned surface – available in either silver or graphite finishes. With an overall unsprung mass reduction of 8 kg, the option aids enhanced handling, improved acceleration, and braking performance. Again, as with the coupe, the Volante is fitted with carbon ceramic brakes (some 12.5 kg lighter than a conventional system) providing exceptional stopping power. Benefitting from materials derived from the motorsport and aerospace industries, the bonnet, front wings and boot lid are made from carbon fibre all helping to reduce weight.

Interior

Aston Martin’s 16th convertible in 95 years, the DBS Volante draws on the marque’s extensive experience in designing iconic ‘Volantes’ and is a 2+2 featuring two occasional rear seats, ideal for young people or extra luggage. In standard specification, the DBS has a rear-mounted six-speed manual gearbox, while an automatic six-speed ‘Touchtronic’ option also available.

Sounds

The DBS Volante also comes with Bang & Olufsen’s renowned ‘BeoSound DBS’ in-car entertainment system, featuring 13 speakers as standard equipment. The BeoSound DBS has been expertly tuned by Bang & Olufsen’s Tonmeisters and Aston Martin’s acoustic engineers specifically for the Volante, resulting in a system that senses when the roof has been retracted and adjusts the sound stage to compensate for extra wind noise, providing an ‘unrivalled automotive audio experience’.

The loudspeaker grilles are finished with smoothly contoured aluminium so as to integrate seamlessly with the fluid lines and curves of the cabin. When the system is turned on, gadget-lovers will be delighted  to find that  the twin acoustic lens speakers emerge silently and swiftly, adding a touch of theatre and ‘technological panache’.

Exhaust note

Speaking of noise, adding to the ‘sonorous V12’ enhances what Aston Martin describes as the car’s 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’. (Basically, you’ll know when you’ve been overtaken by one – Ed!)

The DBS Volante is being built at Aston Martin’s global headquarters at Gaydon, Warwickshire with customer deliveries expected to begin during quarter three 2009. Price is £167,851. £2,936 extra for the automatic.  Engine size: 5,935 cc. Combined fuel economy figures: 17.3 mpg (manual); 18.2 mpg (auto). Insurance group 20.

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