How much longer can Aston Martin keep selling us the same old line? Forever we hope.
The latest iteration in the 75-year Aston Martin DB line made its global debut this morning at The Quail Lodge in Carmel-By-The-Sea, California, in the form of the 2024 Aston Martin DB12 Volante. It’s expected to arrive in showrooms during the fourth quarter of this year.
The arrival of a DB12 drophead coupe should come as no surprise, as the coupe version of the DB12 debuted in May.
“For many of our customers, roof down driving is the greatest pleasure. Aston Martin Volantes have captured that emotion and expressed it in unique style for more than six decades,” Aston Martin Chief Executive Officer, Amedeo Felisa. “This is a car to challenge preconceptions and find a new generation of Volante customer.
Power up, top down
But this most recent Volante is the first Aston Martin DB without a V-12 in more than 25 years. Instead, its power comes from a hand-built 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V-8 with 671 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque.
The company improved compression ratios, modified cam profiles, installed larger turbochargers, and enhanced cooling to increase output 34% compared to the DB11. Of course, there are four driving modes that are self-explanatory: GT, Sport, Sport+, Wet and Individual. According to Aston Martin, the new DB12 has a 0-60 mph time of 3.6 seconds and a 202-mph top speed.
It’s made possible with the aid of a ZF 8-speed automatic transmission, an electronic rear differential, and an ESC system. The E-Diff is a first for an Aston Martin and can go from completely open to fully locked in milliseconds. The company says this greatly improves its cornering capability, not that it was so shabby before.
It’s built using a bonded aluminum chassis with a 3.7% greater torsional rigidity than before, thanks to a reworked engine cross brace, front and rear undertrays, front crossmember and rear bulkhead, leading to gains in suspension performance, isolation, and refinement. And, as you might expect, it’s fitted with intelligent adaptive dampers.
Stylish shoes
It should come as no surprise, given its performance, that its brakes are equipped with 14.1-inch rear discs and 15.7-inch front discs with grooved and drilled faces for increased thermal capacity. Additionally, engineers modified the brake booster to enhance pedal input. Carbon ceramic brakes are optional.
The DB12 is shod with Michelin Pilot Sport 5 tires mounted on it, with 275/35 R21 103Ys up front and 315/30 R21 108Ys in back. They are made of a specially formulated material that Aston Martin has modified to include a polyurethane foam insert that cancels out tire noise. These are not off-the-shelf specialties; in fact, their sidewalls bear the AML insignia.
They are mounted on lightweight forged alloy wheels that are 17.6 pounds lighter than the 20-inchers from the previous year. These wheels are available in five-spoke, multi-spoke, and Y-spoke styles.
More alike than different
Developed alongside its Coupe sibling, the main difference between the two comes down to detail revisions to rear spring rate and a dedicated damper tune.
“Volante possesses all the Super Tourer traits so successfully introduced in the DB12 Coupe,” said Roberto Fedeli, Aston Martin’s chief technical officer. “That we have preserved this class-leading performance and handling is testament to the underlying brilliance of the DB12 platform and the work we have done to maintain the advantage of its superb powertrain and chassis in an open-top version. No longer the ‘softer’ option, DB12 Volante offers the stimulation of a true sports car.”
The details that really matter
Of course, for droptop fans, there’s only one set of numbers that matter: how quickly does the top lower? Featuring 8 layers of insulation, the fabric roof requires 14 seconds to open and 16 seconds to close at speeds of up to 31 mph and into a 31-mph headwind. The roof be operated via the remote keys within 6.6 feet of the car.
When folded beneath a hard tonneau cover, its minimal 10.2-inch stack height maximizes luggage capacity.
Helping with its looks is the standard black hood, although it can be painted Red, Blue and “Black and Silver” as an option.
Inside, you’ll discover opulent hand-stitched Bridge of Weir leather, a tall center console, and Aston Martin first infotainment system, one they created and built, which is displayed on a 10.25-inch high-definition capacitive touchscreen. Although it supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, it intelligently leaves switchgear to handle the transmission, drive mode, and HVAC. The entire system has Over-The-Air upgrades and diagnostics, and a 1,170-watt, 15-speaker Bowers & Wilkins surround system is optional. A 390-watt, 11-speaker surround sound audio system is standard.
And it’s all wrapped up in sheetmetal that’s more muscular, and more finely honed, with a sharper shoulder and wearing fresh LED lighting beneath the redesigned Aston Martin badge. Its appearance is evolutionary, not revolutionary, in the finest Aston Martin tradition.
““The Volante name holds a special place in Aston Martin’s history. Since the first Volante was introduced back in 1965, huge strides have been made in engineering, technology and performance,” said Marek Reichman, Aston Martin chief creative officer. “The DB12 Volante’s exterior and interior design reflects these advances with a muscular physique and athletic stance indicative of its immense performance, and a clean and contemporary interior that stands as a bold interpretation of modern luxury”.
“Of course, there are four driving modes that are self-explanatory: GT, Sport, Sport+, Wet and Individual.”
Would that be five driving modes?