By removing the roof from the new DB11 and reinforcing the chassis, Aston Martin created the second body style of the series named the Volante.
It gets a fabric roof that can be operated at speeds of up to 31mph (50km/h), takes up to 14 seconds to fold down behind the tiny rear seats, and uses an AMG-sourced powertrain, tuned by the British company.
The twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 engine is good for 503hp (510PS) and 513lb-ft (695Nm) of torque. It channels the output to the rear wheels through an 8-speed automatic transmission, takes 4.1sec to reach 62mph (100km/h), and goes all the way up to 187mph (301km/h).
How Aston Made The V8 DB11 Not Sound Like An AMG
Apart from the fact that Aston Martin is keeping the V12 engine away from the DB11 Volante, as it’s said to come with too much of a weight penalty, the grand tourer sounds promising. But how good is it actually in person?
To answer that, AutoGuide traveled to Southern France for the international media test drive, calling the car “stunning from every angle”. The structure is said to feel very rigid, and nothing cheapens the driving experience.
The powertrain brings things to life instantly, the ride is supple, which is understandable from a GT, and the steering is precise, allowing it to tackle corners quite nicely.
But the new Aston Martin DB11 Volante can’t be that perfect, right? The answer lies just a click away, in the following video, but we have to warn you: don’t fall for the British GT, because it comes at a hefty $219,581 in the USA, and that’s just for the base model with no options.