A closer look at Aston Martin’s fastest ever convertible

What’s hot about the DBS Superleggera Volante? It’s beautiful and brutish, of course.

Aston Martin has revealed the details of the new DBS Superleggera Volante, the fastest convertible model the company has ever produced. Let’s take a closer look at what it has to offer buyers and enthusiasts of the iconic brand.

Goals and specifications

With the DBS Superleggera Volante, Aston Martin aimed to deliver the ultimate open-top driving experience, with the design described as “beautiful yet brutish”.

It’s certainly good looking, with all the appeal of the Super GT flagship topped off with some fully-updated 21^st century convertible technology.

This is the second Aston Martin to carry the Volante name (after the Second Century Plan) and was tasked with retaining the coupe’s power, aggression and poise alongside stand-out performance.

Under the bonnet

This is a fairly hefty car for its size, despite the carbon fibre body panels and standard carbon-ceramic brakes, but that certainly doesn’t impact speed.

Indeed, powered by a 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12 engine that produces 715BHP and 900Nm of torque, the DBS Superleggera Volante can go from nought to 62mph in just 3.6 seconds – and nought to 100mph in 6.7 seconds.

An incredible 664lb ft of torque is also available between 1,800 and 5,000 rpm.

Aerodynamics

The DBS Superleggera Volante has been cleverly engineered to exploit surface airflow to maximum effect. A splitter and airdam at the front work together to accelerate airflow underneath the front of the car for downforce and cooling.

A deeper side strake pulls in more air from the front wheel arch to reduce lift and ensure smooth handling even at high speeds, and air now flows over the rear haunches and onto a static rear spoiler rather than entering the body in a slip vent aft of the rear windows.

That Aston Martin sound

The DBS Superleggera Volante was created to deliver a “pure, harmonic and authentic voice” thanks to a quad exhaust system, but drivers will find the sound changes depending on the dynamic driving modes.

For example, the engine “simmers” in GT mode, but gets progressively throatier in Sport or Sport Plus. There’s even Quiet Start, presumably if you need ‘I’m Just Off to Work’ mode and don’t want to wake the neighbours.

Roof design

There can be a lack of quality in the roof design of some convertibles, but that certainly isn’t the case here. Instead, you’ll find an advanced fabric system with eight layers of insulation for when the roof is up.

What’s more, the designers put it through its paces to ensure excellent performance, testing the roof in both Death Valley and the Arctic Circle to recreate extremes you’re unlikely to come against down the M1.

It takes 14 seconds to open and 16 seconds to close and this can be done using a remote key within two metres if you want the vehicle to be getting on with it as you walk.

To please anyone who loves a good finishing touch, the DBS Superleggera Volante’s hood is available in Bordeaux Red, Atlantic Blue and Titan Grey, on top of five further hues.

Aston Martin Lagonda president Dr Andy Palmer said: “I believe that the DBS Superleggera Volante provides one of the greatest sensory experiences in the automotive world. This is truly a testament to the no-compromise approach of our engineers and designers.

“Exceptional performance in an irresistible form, DBS Superleggera has justifiably won the hearts and minds of Super GT lovers the world over, and the Volante takes this concept to the next level.”

You’ll find this ultimate expression of everything Aston Martin priced at £247,500 in the UK, with deliveries set to begin later this year.