Aston Martin recently unveiled the new DB12 Volante, which is a companion to the recently introduced DB12 Coupe.
Developed in parallel with its Coupe stablemate, DB12 Volante boasts the same design, engineering and technology advances made by this latest evolution of Aston Martin’s most distinguished nameplate.
To match vehicle level capability, the focus was on the detail engineering and specification of all elements of the Volante’s underbody. Key structural elements, such as the rear suspension upper mounting points and lateral connections, as well as performance additions, including the engine cross brace, boost DB12 Volante global torsional stiffness by near 5%.
Of equal importance for vehicle integrity and dynamic performance, the mounting points for all suspension attachments were extensively upgraded laterally (140% on the front axle).
These changes, in line with the development of the DB12 Coupe, allowed the use of a non-isolated steering column and complementary steering and damper tuning to deliver precise on and off-centre steering connection with class-leading linearity of vehicle response.
Thanks to changes to underbody components, including the engine cross brace, DB12 Volante sees a 3.7% increase in global torsional stiffness, along with focused improvement in lateral stiffness and gains in suspension performance and refinement. A non-isolated steering column and a stiffer front axle (+140%) contributes to improvements in on and off-centre steering feel and an overall sense of driver connection.
Power comes courtesy of a hand-built 4.0 Twin-Turbo V8 engine that delivers 680 PS at 6000 rpm and 800 Nm between 2,750-6,000 rpm, which enables the roadster to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.6 seconds, and achieve a top speed of 325 km/h.
Power is fed through a ZF 8-speed automatic transmission, which like the DB12 Coupe, features a range of shift strategies complimenting each of the dynamic driving modes.
The Volante also uses the same shortened Final Drive Ratio to maximise in-gear punch and Electronic Rear Differential (E-Diff) for the perfect mix of agility when you want it and stability when you need it. With four-stage ESC and a choice of five pre-defined dynamic modes, the DB12 Volante allows the driver to precisely tailor its behaviour.
Other highlights include new generation intelligent adaptive dampers, which have a 500% increase in bandwidth of force distribution compared to previous generation hardware, giving the DB12 Volante a range of dynamic capability and character far in excess of class rivals. Indeed, the main difference between DB12 Coupe and Volante are detail revisions to rear spring rate and a dedicated damper tune.
Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) with a non-isolated steering column and constant 13.09:1 ratio rack has pure and uncorrupted feel with a swift but natural-feeling rate of response. Standard 21in forged alloy wheels are fitted with ‘AML’ coded Michelin Pilot S 5 tyres made to Aston Martin’s precise requirements.
Braking is provided by cast-iron 400mm front discs and 360mm rear discs as standard, with an optional Carbon Ceramic Brake (CCB) system offering increased braking performance, reduced brake fade and a 27kg weight saving in unsprung mass.
Central to the Volante experience is its electrically-operated ‘K-fold’ roof. Named due to the two-stage folding procedure engineered to achieve a class-leading 260 mm stack height, this design maximises luggage capacity.
Featuring 8 layers of insulation, the fabric roof canopy is acoustically enhanced for improved interior cabin comfort. When raised, the roof line maintains the DB12’s profile. When lowered, the K-fold mechanism sits low beneath a hard tonneau cover to create an elegant tail.
The roof operation takes 14 seconds to open and 16 seconds to close and can be used at speeds of up to 31mph and into a 31mph headwind. For additional convenience and pleasing theatre, the roof mechanism can be operated via the remote keys, as long as you are within a two-metre radius of the car.
One detail that distinguishes the Volante interior from its Coupe counterpart is the wood veneer or carbon fibre panels on the seatbacks that are matched to the door trim inlay to create an extra layer of visual interest and luxury when the roof is lowered.
The DB12 range is also the first to receive Aston Martin’s next-generation infotainment system. Entirely bespoke and developed from scratch with industry leading suppliers of hardware, UI, UX and audio systems, it is Aston Martin’s first in-house system. It also supplemented by a new Aston Martin customer connectivity app. Developed for iOS and Android it allows interaction, control and feedback to and from the customer’s DB12 via their personal device.
The new system is a fully integrated multi-screen system with full online connectivity and displayed using 10.25-inch Pure Black touchscreen technology with full capacitive single and multi-finger gesture control.
The DB12 Volante also offers a new experience in listening enjoyment thanks to Aston Martin’s new audio partners, Bowers & Wilkins. The 11 speaker audio system offers a Surround sound mode and employs QuantumLogic sound processing to create a soundscape and audio performance designed to match DB12 perfectly.
That being said, the DB12 Volante will make its global debut at Monterey Car Week in California later this week, and officially enter production in the third quarter of 2023 with deliveries expected to take place in the fourth quarter of the year.
