Aston Martin Reveals 183-Mph Vanquish Droptop

New Aston Martin Vanquish Volante delivers the same performance as its coupé equivalent

Aston Martin has revealed its new $300,000 Vanquish Volante, which is claimed to be the stiffest open-top model in the company’s 100-year history.

Replacing the DBS Volante as the form’s range-topping open GT car, the Vanquish convertible features full carbon-fiber bodywork – a first for a Volante.

New Aston Martin Vanquish Volante delivers the same performance as its coupé equivalent

The drop-top is powered by the same 5.9-liter V12 engine as its coupé sibling, producing 565bhp at 6750rpm and 457lb ft of torque at 5500rpm. Drive is sent to the rear wheels through a six-speed automatic gearbox.

The Vanquish Volante has a claimed 0-62mph time of 4.2sec and a 183mph top speed – identical figures to those of the fixed-head version, despite the fact that it’s 105kg heavier, at 1844kg.

Other improvements over the DBS Volante include a boot that is 50 per cent larger, at 279 liters with the roof up or down.

The new Vanquish Volante retains the coupé’s 2+2 cabin

Aston Martin. says the roof is of triple-skin, lightweight fabric construction and can be opened or closed in 14 seconds.

Underpinning the new Volante is the latest, fourth-generation development of Aston’s VH platform. Carbonfibre is used in semi-structural components and bonding techniques are derived from the aerospace industry.

Aston M. claims that the Vanquish Volante is 14 per cent torsionally stiffer than the DBS Volante, much more resistant to flex and more predictable in its handling.

With a carbon-fiber body and huge 12-cylinder engine, there is no holding back the performance of Aston Martin's new convertible, the Vanquish Volante.

The company says the spring and damper rates have been calibrated to give the Volante the same ride and handling characteristics as the coupé. The weight distribution is 51/40 per cent, front to rear.

The Volante shares the same look as the Vanquish coupé, but with a few notable changes in addition to the roof. The windscreen is now full height, the glass running up to meet the fabric for a cleaner, more coherent look. This full-height windscreen on a Volante is another Aston first.

The design of the 2+2 interior of the Vanquish coupé carries over to the Volante unchanged, save for the switches necessary to operate the retractable roof.

The Volante is the stiffest open-top road car that Aston has made

Chassis features include adaptive dampers with three distinct modes – Normal, Sport and Track as well as a quick-ratio steering set-up, Brembo-supplied carbon-ceramic brakes and Dynamic Stability Control and Positive Torque Control electronic systems.

Order books are now open for the Vanquish Volante, with the first deliveries due later this year. Prices start at $299,999.