Aston Martin is readying the drop-top version of its flagship, the DB11. As the naming strategy of the British marque goes, it is christened as DB11 Volante. The soft-top version of the DB11 is slated to debut next year. Ahead of that, our spy sleuths have caught the convertible hitting the Nurburgring on camera.
The test mule of the DB11 Volante was spotted undergoing cold weather testing in the winters of Lapland a few months back. Compared to that, the prototype wears white exterior paint this time with grey cloth roof. It loses the extra redundant cladding previously seen, now showing the curvaceous shape of the DB11 coupe which was carried forward. The DB11 coupe boasts of a floating roof effect, which has been replaced by the equally proportioned folding fabric top, rather than a retractable hardtop.
A better look at the images reveals reworked rear haunches and silhouette to attune the fabric convertible roof. There is a wide, flat deck at the rear now compared to the rakish roofline of the DB11 Coupe. Except for that, everything under the camouflage remains the same as the hardtop model. So the DB11’s LED headlamps, sleek c-shaped tail lamps, long bonnet with slits and large 20-inch alloy wheels wheel will be retained in the Volante.
Despite the aluminium and carbon fibre construction of the hard-top which would be carried forward, the Volante is expected to be slightly heavier than the coupe due to all the reinforcements and could have a softer suspension set-up as well. Being a grand tourer, the cabin will remain as lavish and comfortable as the coupe.
The Volante will scrounge the same 5.2-litre twin turbo V12 from the hardtop, delivering 600bhp of power and 700 Nm of torque. The ZF-sourced eight-speed transmission will allow a 0-100kmph time of around 3.9seconds with a top speed of around 325kmph. Both the DB11 coupe and convertible are speculated to get an AMG-sourced V8 in the coming years.
The DB11 Volante is expected to be revealed in all its glory at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show. The Gaydon-based manufacturer is expected to demand a premium price tag for the DB11 Volante. As part of Aston Martin’s plans to introduce seven models in India over the next seven years, the DB11 Volante will surely make its way to India following its global debut.
