The first carbon-fiber bodied convertible in Aston Martin's history, the Vanquish Volante, manages to retain its hard-top counterpart’s performance figures while increasing the style.
The $300,000 convertible version of the flagship Vanquish can go from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.1 seconds, and onto an estimated top speed of 295 km/h.
And thanks to its 6.0-litre V12 engine, power is always on tap at any speed and acceleration is prompt at any point from idle to redline.
A super GT car rather than an out-and-out supercar, the Volante is designed for long, entertaining and exciting continental roadtrips rather than for setting new lap records at the local circuit -- hence a six-speed automatic, rather than manual transmission -- but that doesn’t mean that the car can't hold its own against its competition.
As with many flagship Astons, however, the emphasis of the Vanquish Volante is as much on comfort as it is on out-and-out performance, and cabin space is such that rear-seat passengers will be able to avoid discomfort on longer journeys. Luggage space is also rather generous for a car of this nature making it great for long weekends away or even for everyday use. This has been achieved by separating the roof’s storage compartment from the trunk space.
A number of convertibles, particularly those with metal rather than cloth retracting roofs, tend to lie flat in the trunk when retracted, taking up space that could have otherwise been used for suitcases and other loads.
Inside it’s business as usual: cut-glass buttons with haptic feedback that vibrate to touch, a swooping center console and large-screen touch-sensitive infotainment display. Aston Martin has also introduced new trim designs for the Volante but with its Q branch bespoke arm up and running, the sky’s the limit as to what clients can specify in terms of wood veneers, leather and other internal and external features.
The order book is open now and the first deliveries are expected toward the end of 2013.
