The Aston Martin DB12 Volante looks even better without a roof

Aston Martin has unveiled the 2024 DB12 Volante, the British carmaker’s flagship drop-top grand tourer.

The DB12 Volante utilises the same bonded aluminium structure and AMG-sourced handbuilt twin-turbo V8 as the coupe – but with the roof down it looks even more stunning.

Displayed in a more restrained communications spec with silver paintwork over beige leather and wood trim, the Volante comes across as classier than the lurid green, gold-wheeled DB12 coupe.

Having recently hit vogue again, the Volante eschews a 2000s-era metal top for a soft rag item just like one of its main rivals, the Mercedes-AMG SL and its DB11 forebear.

No longer the ‘softer’ option, DB12 Volante offers the stimulation of a true sports car

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The DB12 Volante's roof features eight layers of sound insulation and can open in 14 seconds at speeds up to 50km/h – closing takes 16 seconds. Owners will be able to operate the ‘K-Fold’ roof with remote keys within a two-metre radius.

Aston’s design team has worked hard to preserve the DB12’s sleek lines with the Volante, and – in its own words – has penned “a lithe and muscular tail that puts the lumpen efforts of package-compromised rivals to shame”, a bold claim.

“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", said Aston Martin CEO, Amedeo Felisa.

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Underneath it’s very similar to the coupe but with a few key changes. These include different underbody parts such as the engine cross brace to account for its toplessness.

It benefits from the same structural improvements Aston made over the DB11 coupe, such as stiffer suspension mounting points and bracing for a five per cent improvement in torsional rigidity. This should enhance suspension action and steering feel.

Keeping the 21-inch alloys shod in Aston Martin OEM Michelin Pilot Sport 5S tyres (275/35 front 325/30 rear) in touch with the ground is double-wishbone front suspension and a multi-link rear axle.

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Steel springs are paired with adaptive dampers. The Volante gets bespoke rear spring rates and a damper tune to suit its different distribution of mass.

“No longer the ‘softer’ option”, is the result according to Mr Felisa, adding the “DB12 Volante offers the stimulation of a true sports car with the unique pleasure and satisfaction that only a convertible Aston Martin can deliver.”

Although disappointing to lose the DB11's 5.2-litre twin-turbo, there's some consolation in an extra 43kW from the handbuilt 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 that produces 500kW at 6000rpm and 800Nm between 2750-6000rpm.

It drives the rear wheels via an eight-speed ZF automatic with a shorter final drive ratio than the DB11, and at the back Aston has packaged an electronically-controlled limited-slip differential.

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Braking is taken care of by 400mm front and 360mm rear cast iron brake discs as standard, while carbon ceramics – that save 27kg of unsprung mass – are optional.

Inside is a familiar affair ro the coupe with a new infotainment system built around a 10.25-inch touchscreen and Aston’s own software with navigation and 3D mapping. Sound is taken care of by an 11-speaker stereo standard, while a pumping 1170W 15-speaker Bowers & Wilkins sound system can be specified.

Aston offers a broad colour palette for standard DB12 Volante colours and leather, with almost endless options at the buyer’s fingertips if they choose to go for the custom ‘Q’ program.

Cars will start being built in the third quarter of the year, and the first deliveries to Europe and the United Kingdom begin in Q4. Australian arrivals are likely to follow in 2024. Expect a starting price above $400K and on the way to $500,000 locally.