2018 Aston Martin DB11 Volante 16 | 10 | 2017

    ASTON MARTIN HAS lifted the lid on its new DB11 Volante, a convertible version of its flagship sports car. On-sale now at Scotland’s solus Aston Martin dealership in Edinburgh, the DB11 Volante starts from £159,900. First deliveries are expected in the first quarter of 2018. (Related: Aston Martin confirms Red Bull F1 deal)

    Sharing the same bonded aluminium structure that also underpins the DB11 coupe, the new convertible exclusively with the 503bhp 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8. Aston has pledged that no V12 Volante will be made.

    Featuring a limited slip differential, power is fed to the rear wheels via an eight-speed paddle-shift automatic gearbox.

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    Comprising eight layers, the traditional fabric roof takes 14 seconds to electronically fold behind the rear seats. It can be securely back over the passengers’ heads in 16s, and can be operated with the ignition key at standstill, or on the move at speeds up to 31mph. (Related: Scot Jonny Adam wins Le Mans with Aston Martin)

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    According to Aston Martin, the fabric roof has been tested on over 100,000 cycles in weather chambers to simulate 10 years of use in the space of a month.

    And following the removal of the steel roof, Aston has added further strengthening to the Volante, which tips the scales 115kg heavier than the coupe. Aston also states the DB11 soft-top is 26kg lighter and 5% more rigid than its predecessor, the DB9 Volante.

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    As a result of the added weight, while the top speed with the roof up remains 187mph, which is the same as the V8 coupe,   the 0-62mph sprint is a tenth down over the coupe; the soft-top taking 4.1 seconds.

    Leather interior with Alcantara headlining, and new leather door and centre console inserts, are standard equipment on the Volante. There’s also heated seats, front and rear parking sensors as well as a 360-degree surround view parking camera.

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    As you would expect, a host of options are available on the Volante: in fact, Aston Martin lists 70 options, including four colours for the brake callipers, and seven different variants of the 20in alloys. There’s also 11 functional options such as automatic parking, garage door opener and an Aston Martin umbrella with holder.

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    Prices for the DB11 Volante start at £159,900, a £15,000 premium over DB11 V8 coupe and £2000 more expensive than the V12.

    Related: Aston Martin Vulcan AMR Pro

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    Jim McGill

     

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