It offers a lot under the skin as well, starting with an identical 450-hp 12-cylinder to the new coupe, with 420 lb-ft of relentless torque. While tuned for sport the engine should be refined due to its silky smooth V12 configuration, but still powers the big convertible to 100 km/h in less than 5 seconds before attaining a maximum speed of 300 km/h (186 mph) - with the top up no doubt.
Aston's discriminating clientele will have the option of either a 6-speed manual gearbox or available 6-speed ZF automatic with steering-wheel paddle manual-type actuation - the sequential manual developed for the Vanquish will unfortunately not be part of the DB9 package - at least not yet.
Like the DB9 coupe, the Volante's chassis architecture won't be derived from Jaguar's tired old XJ-S platform - the basis for the DB7. The new Aston makes extensive use of aluminum, but compared to the coupe its rear bulkhead and other crucial stress points have been strengthened to compensate for the loss of fixed roof structural integrity.
On the subject of rigidity Dr. Bez stated, "From the outset of the DB9 program we knew we wanted a convertible model. So the Volante has been designed, engineered and built from the outset as a convertible - it's not a Coupe with just the top taken off."
In replacement of the hardtop is an electro-mechanical fabric top, actuated via a convenient console mounted button that takes only 17 seconds to put up or down. That's easily enough time to casually drop it at a stoplight with a second or two left over to slide in an old Cure CD - that last bit exclusively for fans of the now classic British alternative band.
As expected in this class the top stows discretely under a hard tonneau, cleaning up the overall design compared to the DB7 Volante that kept its folded top bundled atop the rear bulkhead just in front of the trunk. The benefit of the old system was a larger trunk area, the stowed top now leaving only 197 L (7.0 cu ft) of cargo volume for the optional matching leather luggage.
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| The 450-hp V12 powers the big convertible to 100 km/h in less than 5 seconds before attaining a maximum speed of 300 km/h. (Photo: Aston Martin) |
Like the DB9 coupe, the Volante's chassis architecture won't be derived from Jaguar's tired old XJ-S platform - the basis for the DB7. The new Aston makes extensive use of aluminum, but compared to the coupe its rear bulkhead and other crucial stress points have been strengthened to compensate for the loss of fixed roof structural integrity.
On the subject of rigidity Dr. Bez stated, "From the outset of the DB9 program we knew we wanted a convertible model. So the Volante has been designed, engineered and built from the outset as a convertible - it's not a Coupe with just the top taken off."
In replacement of the hardtop is an electro-mechanical fabric top, actuated via a convenient console mounted button that takes only 17 seconds to put up or down. That's easily enough time to casually drop it at a stoplight with a second or two left over to slide in an old Cure CD - that last bit exclusively for fans of the now classic British alternative band.
As expected in this class the top stows discretely under a hard tonneau, cleaning up the overall design compared to the DB7 Volante that kept its folded top bundled atop the rear bulkhead just in front of the trunk. The benefit of the old system was a larger trunk area, the stowed top now leaving only 197 L (7.0 cu ft) of cargo volume for the optional matching leather luggage.