RIDE LIKE THE WIND (some text hidden) --NONE--

By Jonathan Crouch

The Vanquish Volante is the ultimate version of the ultimate mainstream Aston Martin sportscar. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 35

Aston Martin aims to redefine what a V12-engined convertible super sports car should be with this model, the Vanquish Volante. It's very fast, very expensive and very exclusive. And you may very much want one.

Backgroundword count: 100

What could be better than an exclusive open-topped V12 luxury GT super sports car? There are only two on the market, the Ferrari 12 Cilindri Spider. And this model, the Aston Martin Vanquish Volante. If you're not already a multi-millionaire, both will of course require a sizeable lottery win - and we're here to make a case for the British contender. It is of course based entirely on the Vanquish Coupe launched in 2023, but a lot of detailed engineering has gone into the basic formula here to make it suitable for convertible motoring. Time to see just how much.

Engines and Tech Specword count: 249

Though the 823bhp 5.2-litre V12 engine in the Vanquish Volante is the same as that in the Coupe, this drop top model's increased 1,880kg weight obliged the Gaydon engineers to develop a bespoke suspension set-up for this car, though this still uses the same advanced Bilstein DTX damping system. With this, the softest GT setting is more fluid, while the Sport and Sport+ modes are firmer. Bespoke Pirelli P-Zero tyres and carbon ceramic brakes are standard. Performance is of course similar to the Coupe, with 62mph possible 3.4s en route (if you're very brave) to 214mph; toupees will need to be very firmly tied down. There's 1,000Nm of torque and an impressive 416bhp-per-tonne power-to-weight ratio. Power, as with the fixed-top, is channelled via an eight-speed ZF transmission mounted on the rear axle alongside an electronically-controlled limited slip differential. Aston hasn't engineered in the kind of rear-wheel steering system you'd find in a rival Ferrari or Bentley. Instead, the Vanquish is able to detect whether you're braking hard into a corner and can then automatically apply extra pressure to the inside rear wheel. It's the sound as much as a speed that will stay with you after each memorable journey. The V12 is a constant burbling companion throughout the rev range, even in the standard GT drive mode setting, but in Sport and Sport+, it goes from caressing your ear drums to thoroughly engaging them, especially if you pay the extra for the optional titanium version of the sports exhaust.

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