25 February 2009 - 10:00
Drop goal
More pictures of the Aston Martin DBS Volante
“Ah, Mr Bond. I’ve been expecting you. But what the bloody hell is going on with your hair?”
That’s the obligatory Aston-Bond reference out the way, then. An apposite one in this case, though, because these are the first pictures of the DBS Volante, the convertible version of Aston’s toughest road car set to be formally unveiled in Geneva next week. The Bond car, in other words, has lost its roof.
On one level, this is a bit confusing. Like the Ferrari 430 Scuderia Spider we saw last year, why do you go to all the effort of creating a stiffer, sharper coupe… and then ruin the rigidity by cutting the roof off it?
On another level – quite a big level, in fact – it’s going to be ace, isn’t it? A 510bhp, six-litre V12 blaring away in front of you, fluffy clouds skipping above your head, an Eastern European beauty with a highly euphemistic name in the passenger seat…
We’re getting carried away. Let’s have some numbers. That big V12 – unchanged from the DBS Coupe and feeding the rear wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox – will haul the Volante to 60mph in 4.3 seconds, exactly the same as the hard-top despite an extra 90kg of weight, with a top speed of 191mph.
It should handle, too. Thanks to a new six-point rear subframe, the DBS Volante is 25 per cent stiffer than the wafty DB9 Volante (though 25 per cent less stiff than the DBS Coupe), and features a revised adaptive damper system which allows the driver to select from five settings ranging from ‘Ouch that’s firm’ to ‘Mmm, that’s better’. Those may not be the official names.
The DBS Volante’s fabric roof – which contains Thinsulate, that insulating fabric usually found lining the jackets of men who possess hiking boots and emergency whistles – will retract in just 14 seconds at speeds up to 30mph.
But let’s be honest here: unless you’re caught in an apocalyse-spec hailstorm, you’re going to drive absolutely everywhere with the roof down, just to hear that amazing engine note.
So long as you’ve got £170,000 or so to spare, that is. That’s what we’re expecting the DBS Volante to cost when it goes on sale in the UK this summer. Comb and gentleman’s hair wax not included.
Want to comment on this?
me too i want one its got a really cool look on the front and i loooove the open roof its awsome!!
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
That is a gorgeous pice of art!
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
Why the hell does Aston always have to take the roof of its cars, they alway ruin the beauty of the coupe!!! It´s like cutting the head of Kate Moss, she will still look hot, but will be all wobbly.
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
Oh my. I love Astons, and most of all, I love the way they sound. Come to mama!
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
I just hope that it isn't like the DB9 Volante and do only 160 ish, but it looks great
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
its ok but when they took the roof of it makes it look flatter
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
Don't need to worry about the comb and gentleman?s hair wax.
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
It Looks brilliant it would go in the fridge next to the cool wall
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
I'm sorry but this is an Aston Martin we are talking about here it looks FANTASTIC as does every other Aston but i do agree to what jpduarte said except from the first 2 sentences. It has a beautiful Heart Its a fast Dart Most of all its a fine piece of Art
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
Nice Car!!!!
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
Yawn, and they should give the Jag its wheels back.
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
On first impressions, hell yeah! But surely this particular car is merely a cash flash for Americans who don't care about cars?
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
Also, I've seen a picture of it with the roof up. It's not just the wheels that look uncanny...
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
just had large wee in trousers. aston always deliver on absolute beauty. stunning chaps...
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
Fantastic car, but I fear it may become some-what of a cock's car unfortunately.
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
beautiful that's all i cant say
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
Now lets get this straight, i LOVE Astons- there my favorrite car company. I think this particular car looks amazing and it has the DBS center console so know " i cant see the buttons" thing. With the big V12 it will sound brilliant and its proper BRITISH which, in my mind is the best thing
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
the coupe super cool and the Volante would be cool if it was sunny
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
Prefer the Coupe DBS looks more special and with the weather we have you would be only able to have the roof down once a year lol Thats saying you will be able to hear the noise of that V12 alot better in the convertible than the coupe but still coupe everytime
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
I'd love one just to be able to hear that gorgeous engine roar everywhere I drive it and no probs with the weather here in Australia we are in the middle of a drought (Nelson Muntz: haha!) but the real question is why buy the DBS when the DB9 Volante is available right now for AUD$388,000 and this would cost how much??? The DBS Coupe is already over $100k more expensive than the DB9 Volante!! All you get for your money is effectively a couple of extra scoopy bits and a few extra horses that you can't use. I'd save the extra $150k for petrol and buy the DB9 convertible
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
"why do you go to all the effort of creating a stiffer, sharper coupe? and then ruin the rigidity by cutting the roof off it?" Look at it. And, the points been covered already- the noise.
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
who cares if it´s lost a bit of stiffness....the looks alone are a cure for impotence
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
Very COOL, but the only people buying them are going to but them is Footballers Wives, Especially in that colour in the picture above. I would buy the Hardtop version instead, bit more Manly.
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
I always thought the astons ruined the beauty of their cars like the vantage roadster . As it is , I didnt like the vantage much because of its size and length , but the DBS volante looks beautiful if it is really what is shown in the picture above
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
Advertisement
Advertisement feature
Discover the new Insignia VXR
The Vauxhall Insignia VXR is in showrooms now. To read more about the car and for your chance to win an iPod Touch, click here.
Test Driven
.jpg?p=080926_03:52)
Audi TT Roadster
Forget the hyperdrive quattro versions. This honest, no frills TT is one of the best you can buy.
Advertisement
Open Car Bar
Ivar commented on this article
25 February 2009
I want one, I want one yesterday!
Link to this comment
Report this comment
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.