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Aston Martin Drops the Top on the DBS Superleggera Volante

The wait is over! Aston Martin has finally released the droptop version of the DBS. This new Superleggera Volante is the combination of three Aston Martin name-plates in one, the magnificent super GT, the gorgeous DBS Superleggera and now with a flawless convertible roof.

Over the course of a month, this new car was tested 100,000 times.  Simulating 10 years of wear and tear in conditions ranging from as cold as the Arctic Circle to as hot as Death Valley.  In addition to testing the mechanism, Aston used an advanced system of eight layers of insulating fabric and acoustically enhancing materials. The net result is a convertible roof that increases comfort when up and creates an orchestra of sound when down. Gone are the days of simple rag tops!

Now, the good stuff. The Volante’s powerplant shares the same 715-hp 5.2 liter V-12 and automatic eight speed transmission as the original. And if you’re worried about top speed, we can put your fears to rest. This material clad sports car shares the same top speed as the coupe: 211 mph, making it the fastest Aston Martin convertible in history. Other figures are almost identical to the coupe as well. 0-62 in a claimed 3.5-seconds and 0-100 in 6.7. These figures are 0.1 and 0.3 seconds slower than the hardtop, respectively.

 

But dont think that the Superleggera is only fast in a straight line. No, thanks to Aston’s new Aeroblade System, the Volante produces 390 pounds of downforce. This helps to compensate for the lack of roof and keeps the car glued to the pavement during fast corners. The new and attractive front splitter also helps funnel air through the front bumper and onto the brakes to keep them cool.

Finally we come to the elephant in the room: the cost of this monster. Aston has put the price at $329,100 in the US (£254,879). That’s about $24,000 more than the coupe. Is having the wind in your hair worth that much? Well, when it looks like that, yes, yes it is.

James Smith

Im a huge car enthusiast, Ive been watching Top Gear with Clarkson, Hammond and May since 2007. I currently live in Minnesota with my Fiancee and Family. I enjoy riding my Kawasaki Z800 and hiking around state parks.

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