Any new fixture in Aston Martin’s DB line has to be spectacular and the latest entry – the DB11 – was certainly that.

Revealed in March 2016, the DB11 was a handsome bugger with lush flowing lines and it didn’t disappoint behind the wheel either.

Now, over 18 months later, comes a drop-top version: the DB11 Volante.

Pretty much everything about the Volante variant is identical to its fixed-roof Coupe counterpart except one key feature: the electronically retractable soft-top roof.

Boasting a completely new K-fold roof system, this roof can be opened in 14 seconds and closed again in 16 seconds using a button inside the car, or via the unlock button on the remote key.

The roof can be operated at speeds up to 31mph and when closed, the acoustically enhanced roof canopy and insulation materials improve NVH levels on that of the DB9 drop-top to keep exterior noise at bay.

Same as it ever was

Aside from the roof, almost everything is the same as before. It is still powered by a four-litre twin-turbo V8 engine with 503bhp, mated to a rear mid-mounted eight-speed automatic gearbox.

Let loose, this engine can get you from 0-62mph in 4.1 seconds, with the extra weight of the folding roof adding only a fifth of a second to the original DB11’s benchmark sprint.

Visually, the DB11 Volante is still characterised by the Coupe’s striking single-piece aluminium bonnet and innovative ‘Curlicue’ aerodynamic feature, as well as new wood or carbon fibre veneer panels on the seat backs and dramatic ultra-slim ‘light blade’ tail lights that create a bold C graphic.

Elegant style

Aston Martin president Dr Andy Palmer believes the Volante strikes a “unique combination of elegant style, innate sporting ability and sensory engagement that lifts it above other open-top cars”.

He added: “The new DB11 Volante captures those qualities perfectly and promises the kind of pleasure and enjoyment that can only come from driving an open-top Aston Martin.”

You can order a DB11 Volante right now with pricing starting from £159,000. Initial deliveries will commence just in time for spring 2018.

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