Aston Martin DB12 Volante drops top in Singapore
With a soft-top roof and gorgeous silhouette, the Aston Martin DB12 Volante joins the ranks of the Ferrari Roma Spider (see facing page) and Mercedes-AMG SL-Class in Singapore by offering sun worshippers another powerful drop-top option.
Prices for the DB12 Volante start from $1.368 million (before COE), approximately $80,000 more than its fixed-roof sibling, the DB12 Coupe and within $130,000 of the Ferrari Roma Spider.
According to Aston Martin, the DB12 Coupe is elevated beyond mere “Grand Tourer” status to that of “Super Tourer”, which should make the DB12 Volante (the brand’s term for convertible) its ultimate drop-top “Super Tourer”.
Aston Martin’s current design language makes it easier to tell the different models apart. However, familiar brand traits like the prominent single-vaned grille remain a recognisable feature, as do the side strakes, which have appeared in every DB.
Putting the K-fold roof down (this takes about 14 secs and can be operated with the car travelling at speeds of up to 55km/h) throws the spotlight on its broad shoulders, which accentuates the DB12 Volante’s width and creates a powerful road presence.
The roof canopy features eight layers of insulation, which preserves the sanctity of the cabin with the roof up. It folds into a 260mm stack, which helps maximise boot capacity (169 litres with the roof-down, 206 litres with the roof up) and allows for a seamless rear profile and uninterrupted silhouette.
Thankfully, the insulation does not stop you from enjoying the music from the twin-turbo 4.0 litre V8’s fruity exhaust soundtrack, especially when you are working to muster its mighty 680hp/800Nm.
It is easier to appreciate the cabin fineries with the roof down, as the DB12 presents an elegant fusion of hand-stitched tailoring with modern concessions to digitalisation (including a new UI), but the latter never threatens to overwhelm the proceedings.