Aston Martin reveals drop-top Vanquish S Volante

BRITISH supercar-maker Aston Martin has revealed the drop-top version of its headline-stealing Vanquish S mere months after the coupe version was uncovered at last year’s LA Auto Show.

Under the bonnet lies a 5.9-litre naturally-aspirated V12 that pumps out 444kW/630Nm, representing an increase of 23kW and 10Nm over the old model, largely due to higher-volume inlet manifolds that let the big V12 gulp more air.

However, the 444kW figure is only for UK and European models, with the rest of the world forced to be content with ‘only’ 433kW.

In coupe guise, the Vanquish S completes the zero to 100km/h sprint in 3.5 seconds – down from 4.1s in the old model – and will carry on to a top speed of 324km/h.

Mated to the V12 engine is an updated version of the eight-speed Touchtronic III automatic transmission and limited-slip differential, complete with launch control feature.

Suspension has been tweaked with a retuned adaptive damping system with three different modes – normal, sport and track.

Stopping power comes from carbon-ceramic brake discs measuring 398mm in diameter with six-piston callipers and 255/35 Pirelli P-Zero tyres up front, and 360mm discs, four-piston callipers and 305/30 tyres at the rear.

Aston Martin has listed the 4730mm long, 1910mm wide, 1295mm high Vanquish S Volante at 1739kg in weight – the same as the coupe version.

The chassis is a high-tech mixture of aluminium and carbon-fibre, and weight is almost evenly distributed, with a 51:49 front-split bias.

The Volante is expected to get the exterior tweaks in the coupe including quad-tip exhaust pipes and a carbon-fibre front splitter, rear diffuser and side sills, while carbon-fibre will be offered as an option for the bonnet vents, mirror caps, grille and door handles.

Standard on the Volante S are 20-inch, ten-spoke gloss-black alloy wheels and titanium bonnet mesh, and inside, buyers are treated to a leather and Alcantara interior with Vanquish S emblazoned on the headrests and sill plaques, heated front seats and mirrors, reversing camera, front and rear parking sensors, tyre pressure monitor, a 6.5-inch infotainment screen with DAB digital radio, USB and Bluetooth compatibility, and a 1000-watt Bang & Olufsen 13-speaker sound system.

Options include four other alloy rim styles, painted brake callipers, bonnet and side strakes with black or magnesium finish, carbon-fibre paddle tips, and a personalised aluminium sill plaque.

Pricing and local timing is yet to be announced, but the Volante is expected to arrive sometime after the hard-top that lands in April, and is expected to wear a price tag well in excess of the current standard Vanquish Volante, whichretails for $521,995 before on-roads.