Aston Martin is proud to announce the highly anticipated arrival of the new Vanquish Volante. Quite simply the fastest, most powerful open top series production Aston Martin to date and, alongside its coupe stablemate, the fastest, most powerful front engine production car on sale today. No other car combines such extraordinary performance with such a svelte yet purposeful form. Its position in the market at the very pinnacle of ultra-luxury high performance is unique, and there are few better ways to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the iconic Volante name with the announcement of its latest example.
Powered by Aston Martin’s new 5.2-litre V12 engine delivering 835PS and 1000Nm of torque with a top speed of 214mph, Vanquish Volante offers all the raw thrill of the coupe with an unmatched visceral open air driving experience. New Vanquish Volante has been designed to offer all the style and sensorial stimulation for which convertibles are known and loved, without the limitations or compromises traditionally associated to their design. As beautiful as its Coupe companion, with minimal weight increase and stunning design, Vanquish Volante is more than worthy of the name reserved only for the flagship.
The V12 engine in the new Aston Martin Vanquish Volante
The new Vanquish Volante is the crown jewel in a model lineage extending back 60 years. The first Aston Martin to receive the name was the little-known Short Chassis Volante of 1965, comprising design elements of both the convertible DB5 that preceded it and DB6 Volante that succeeded it. Utterly beautiful, it set the tone for all ‘Volante’ Aston Martin models to come. It is also one of the rarest of all production examples, with only37 being built over a one-year period.
Providing Vanquish Volante with its knockout punch is Aston Martin’s new twin- turbocharged, 5.2-litre V12 engine. The first V12 to wear the famous Aston Martin wings was fitted to the DB7 Vantage, launched in both Coupe and Volante for 2000 model year. In the 25 years since, the power of the marque’s iconic V12 has almost doubled, from 426PS to 835PS, with maximum torque seeing similar gains, from 543Nm to 1000Nm. The latest V12 engine fitted to Vanquish develops maximum torque at just 2500rpm – precisely half the engine speed required by its forebear – and maintains that 1000Nm peak all the way from 2500-5000rpm, reaching a maximum speed of 214mph. Despite this significant increase in performance, total weight of Vanquish Volante has risen by just 95kg, raising the power to weight ratio from 313hp per tonne to 416hp per tonne, elevating performance onto an entirely new strata.
Of course, Vanquish Volante has a bespoke suspension tune designed to account for the unique weight distribution, but the secret to unlocking its full potential lies in the new Bilstein DTX dampers which allow outstanding levels of wheel control within each drive mode and also the ability to provide far greater distinction between the individual modes than has ever been possible in the past. With the immense power behind Vanquish Volante, a carbon ceramic brake system is fitted as standard, providing suitable stopping ability for the marque’s flagship. Weighing 27kg less than conventional iron discs and offering both increased longevity and resistance to fade, they also enable torque vectoring whereby brake balance can be shifted rearward to enhance stability while braking into a corner.
Underpinning the chassis and dynamic systems lies a bonded aluminium structure. Enhanced to deliver more focused and engaging dynamics, optimised underbody stiffening provides a 75% increase in lateral stiffness over the previous flagship convertible, maintaining structural performance closely matched to the Coupe body.
Next generation Aston Martin models
Designing both cars simultaneously has achieved one of the more complex challenges in car design: creating a car with a fully convertible hood with minimum weight gain, while retaining maximum torsional rigidity and ensuring the timeless design is retained regardless of whether the hood is raised or stored beneath the tonneau cover.
Vanquish Volante retains its contemporary elegance from Coupe; a toned, muscular presence, broad stance and fluid curves. Signature details from the F1® inspired thermos
louvres remain in its dramatically sloping bonnet to aid cooling. The 80mm wheelbase extension accentuates the car’s iconic front-engine, cab-rearward aesthetic. The kicked up Kamm tail at the rear sits above the instantly recognisable ‘Shield’, designed to appear as though it is floating at the rear of the car.
Designed purposely as a 2-seat configuration, precision craftmanship runs through Vanquish Volante and with a retractable roof, now delivers an unmatched sensory experience for the driver and passenger. Vanquish Volante incorporates the bespoke interior layout introduced on Vanquish Coupe, carrying forward the new interior architecture seen on all next generation Aston Martin models. With the lowered centre console already providing the feeling of greater cabin width, the addition of a retracted roof maintains the feeling of space found in the Coupe with the ultra-luxury feeling of, open air driving. A perfect blend of modern touch screen technology and tactile physical switchgear continues inside Vanquish Volante retaining the feeling of ultra-luxury inside the cabin and intuitive interaction with the controls. Aston Martin’s next generation infotainment showcases the digital 10.25” TFT driver display, designed to deliver information with maximum clarity and custom display configurations, whilst the integrated 10.25” Pure Black touchscreen system with full online connectivity features technology with full capacitive single and multi-finger gesture control.
Audio system from audio partner Bowers & Wilkins
It is only fitting that Vanquish Volante is equipped as standard with the very best audio system from audio partner Bowers & Wilkins. Seamlessly integrated and expertly tuned for Vanquish Volante, the 15-speaker, double amplified surround sound system delivers the most enthralling listening experience.
Continuing the focus on driver and passenger comfort, Vanquish Volante is fitted with a Sports Plus Seat as standard, with a carbon fibre Performance Seat as an option. Featuring a seating position that can be adjusted for a wide range of driver heights, it creates a sporting feel and the perfect position for dynamic driving. The low centre console and scalloped door panels optimise space around the upper body ensuring the driver’s arms are not hindered during dynamic driving or manoeuvring.
The rear cabin of Vanquish Volante has been designed with equal consideration to luxury, ensuring every part of the interior is lavished with the same level of detail and indulgent finish. The sculpted rear cross brace is a bold statement separating the purpose made storage areas reserved for exquisite saddle leather luggage sets, which are available as an accessory. As expected from the flagship model, the number of possible exterior and interior design combinations, from wheel rims and brake calipers to carpets and interior trim are extensive. Should customers require more personal choice, consultation with the customisation service, Q by Aston Martin, where some of the most skilled, experienced and creative designers are ready to work directly with clients to tailor their Vanquish Volante to completely bespoke requirements.
