2018 Aston DB11 officially loses its roof
The name Volante means “flying” in Italian, as in the sense of flying one imagines in a high-speed convertible. Indeed, that’s why every convertible in Aston Martin’s lineup since 1965 has been called Volante, and it’s why this latest DB11, even with its engine outsourced — and, for the first time, turbocharged — is called a Volante.
All that preamble is by way of saying that the latest Volante, the DB11 is not only gorgeous, but also fast as all get out.
As for the first point, Andy Palmer, Aston Martin’s president and chief executive, says simply, “for many of our customers, indeed many generations of Aston Martin customer, the Volante has always offered something very special: A unique combination of elegant style, innate sporting ability and sensory engagement that lifts it above other open-top cars.”
The second point is simpler. The 4.0-litre V-8 housed under that long, low hood is built by AMG — yes, the tuning house of MercedesBenz fame — and sports twin turbochargers and 503 horsepower.
Acceleration from this most handsome of convertibles is said to be 4.1 seconds from rest to 100 kilometres an hour. Hold the throttle wide open long enough — preferably with the soft top up — and 300 km/h will show up on the speedometer.
Speaking of the soft top, it can be lowered in just 14 seconds — all done remotely, if you want, through the key fob — and raised in 16. Dropping the roof can even be accomplished when moving, at least if you’re doing less than 50.
The DB11 Volante will start at $254,000 and will be in dealerships next spring.