Aston Martin Vanquish Volante unveiled
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7th July, 2013
- Features a full carbon fibre body
- 6.0-litre V12 engine; 0-100 km/h in 4.1 s
- Multi-layer fabric roof folds in 14 seconds
Aston Martin has unveiled the Vanquish Volante – a stunning new luxury sports car that brings the thrill of open top
motoring to the super GT class.
Alongside the coupe version, launched late last year, the Vanquish Volante sits at the pinnacle of the luxury British
car maker’s sports car line-up.
Benefitting from all of the technical, engineering and design advances present in the Vanquish coupe, the new Volante
enhances the driving experience still further through the option of exciting convertible driving.
Instantly becoming one of the most attractive cars in its class, Vanquish Volante crucially retains the coupe’s
dynamic character and sporting capability. It boasts the same new AM11 6.0-litre V12 engine as the coupe and the same
blistering performance figures, meaning the 0-100 km/h sprint is despatched in just 4.1 seconds (estimated).
Vanquish Volante is the first fully carbon fibre-bodied Volante in the brand’s 100-year history, while also being the
stiffest Volante body structure yet made by the engineering team at Aston Martin’s global HQ in Gaydon, Warwickshire,
England. The new car’s triple-skin lightweight fabric roof takes just 14 seconds to fold.
Announcing the arrival of the Vanquish Volante Aston Martin CEO Dr Ulrich Bez said: “This car is what luxury super
GT driving is all about. Great performance, fantastic style and exhilarating Volante motoring in one superb
package.”
“Aston Martin is celebrating 100 years of excellence in 2013, and the arrival of this new sports car – our ultimate
Volante – underlines that our mission to make the next 100 years even more successful is starting perfectly.”
The design of Vanquish Volante represents the latest take on Aston Martin’s iconic visual language. Styling cues such
as the elegant 'waist', elongated side strakes and LED rear light blades are derived from the One-77 super car while the
folding fabric roof sits beneath a tonneau and boot lid that have been aerodynamically tuned for optimum performance.
The windscreen, meanwhile, is now full height – a first for Aston Martin – which means that the glass runs up to meet
the fabric roof, thereby achieving a particularly clean transition.
The Vanquish Volante’s ‘suit’ of carbon fibre panels cloaks a cabin that is both sophisticated and comfortable. The
2+2 cabin is elegantly attired in authentic and luxurious materials: full grain Luxmil leather with optional quilting,
metal controls and satin chrome trim underscore the car’s well-appointed nature.
Each body panel on the car is constructed from carbon fibre not just because of its high strength-to-weight ratio, but
also for its flexibility of form. This not only reduces mass but means that fewer individual body panels are required –
reducing joints and contributing to a more coherent and svelte shape.
As practical as it is well-dressed, the Vanquish Volante boasts a boot that’s fully 50% larger than that of the
previous DBS Volante. It measures 279 litres – roof up or down – and makes the new Aston Martin the perfect choice for
continent-crossing grand tours as well as daily drives.
Perhaps one of the most striking interior design elements is the centre stack with refinements providing a more
elegant form that is also more intuitive and accessible for both driver and front seat passenger.
A direct 'descendent' of the One-77 centre stack, the Vanquish and Vanquish Volante’s set-up retains familiar elements
such as the ECU engine start button and glass gear selection buttons while featuring a new infotainment system and a more
user-friendly design.
The facia trim now stretches down the whole centre stack and is manufactured from a single piece of material giving a
uniform finish.
The user interface boasts a simple, ergonomically efficient lay out as well as technological updates that make it the
brand’s most advanced in-car system available today.
Capacitive glass buttons with illumination and haptic feedback feature in the rest of the centre stack’s switchgear.
Haptic feedback is more commonly found in touch-screen mobile phones and Aston Martin was among the first significant
luxury car manufacturers in the world to use the technology in a series production model when it debuted on Vanquish
coupe in 2012.
Aston Martin Design Director Marek Reichman explained: “Vanquish Volante is a sports car, of course, but more even
than that it is the ultimate Volante. A car which follows a long line of elegant Aston Martin convertibles, this super GT
is sculpted to convey sophistication as much as raw power.”
“The aerodynamically shaped tonneau, the proportions of the folding fabric roof, the luxurious nature of the cabin
– these elements have been pored over by the Design team, working with our Engineering colleagues, to ensure we deliver
the aesthetic appeal for which Aston Martin is renowned around the world.”
Under its carbon fibre bonnet the Vanquish Volante comprises the latest generation AM11 naturally aspirated 6.0-litre
V12 petrol engine which drives the rear wheels via a Touchtronic 2 six-speed automatic gearbox.
The V12’s power peak of 573 PS (565 bhp) arrives at 6,750 rpm while the torque peak of 620 Nm (457 lb ft) is available
at 5,500 rpm. These numbers translate into performance that matches the Vanquish coupe’s and ensures the new car supports
its Super GT billing.
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The dynamics have been tuned precisely, with new springs and damper settings calibrated to deliver the same crisp
handling yet compliant ride as the coupe.
Strenuous efforts have been made to limit the new car’s weight; contributing to its impressive performance, agile
handling and compelling power-to-weight ratio. The combination of controlled weight, near-perfect 51:49 weight
distribution, a powerful V12 engine and a performance-honed six-speed transmission unite to make the Vanquish Volante as
rewarding on the move as it is beautiful standing still.
Like its coupe counterpart, the Vanquish Volante uses the latest generation of Aston Martin’s class-leading VH
(Vertical Horizontal) architecture, a lightweight bonded aluminium structure that provides outstanding strength and
rigidity. In this iteration, the Vanquish now includes the addition of significant semi-structural carbon fibre
components, as well as the use of bonding derived directly from the latest aerospace technologies.
As well as being light, strong and flexible in its application, the gen4 VH architecture is also extremely rigid. The
new Vanquish Volante is, in fact, 14% torsionally stiffer than the DBS Volante which preceded it, making it highly
resistant to flex and allowing for responsive and predictable handling.
This rigid structure also provides an ideal foundation from which the suspension can control the vehicle effectively,
further highlighting the importance of the body structure and the effect it has on the dynamic performance of the car.
Aston Martin’s engineering teams have worked particularly hard to minimise the weight outside the wheelbase of the new
car to reduce yaw inertia. As a result, carbon fibre has been used extensively in the rear structure and the weight of
the aluminium front structure has been limited.
To take full advantage of its precise and rigid architecture, the Aston Martin Vanquish Volante employs a battery of
sophisticated technologies including Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and Positive Torque Control (PTC).
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Aston Martin’s Adaptive Damping System (ADS) allows the driver to switch between three distinct damping modes: Normal,
Sport and Track, delivering instant adjustment of the car’s ride and handling characteristics.
The ADS automatically alters the suspension settings to ensure the driver has high levels of control at all times,
with the ability to respond quickly to different driving conditions. The different damping modes available help
significantly broaden the Vanquish Volante’s character, adapting its set-up to suit the driver’s mood and requirements.
Thus it can be a cruising GT car in Normal mode with the capacity to morph into an assertive sports car in Sport and
Track modes.
The damper settings are determined by an electronic control unit which takes sensor readings from the car’s systems
including throttle position, brake position, steering wheel rotation and vehicle speed. This data establishes the
prevailing driving conditions and the demands the driver is making on the car.
Steering, too, is crisp, precise and communicative. The rack’s quick 15:1 ratio – 2.6 turns lock-to-lock – is allied
to speed-sensitive power assistance that’s tuned to deliver optimum assistance.
The car’s braking system features third generation Brembo Carbon Ceramic Matrix (CCM) parts to deliver shorter
stopping distances with resistance to fade in even the most demanding driving conditions. CCM brakes are also lighter
than a conventional system, reducing the weight of the car overall and, in particular, the unsprung weight and rotational
masses, further enhancing the performance of the suspension.
The front brakes use 398 mm x 36 mm CCM discs with larger front pads and six-piston callipers from the One-77, while
the rear brakes use 360 mm x 32 mm CCM discs with four-piston callipers.
Aston Martin CEO Dr Ulrich Bez added: “This is not simply a great-looking car – this is a great car engineered and
crafted for the connoisseur by people dedicated to delivering exceptional sports cars with clearly defined
characters.”
First deliveries of the new sports car are expected to begin in the UK and Continental Europe late in 2013 and not
long after that elsewhere in the world.
Aston Martin Vanquish Volante specification
Body
- Two-door Volante style with 2+2 seating
- New generation bonded aluminium and carbon fibre VH structure
- Aluminium, magnesium alloy and carbon-fibre composite body
- Extruded aluminium door side-impact beams
- Single bi-xenon headlamps with LED sidelights
- LED light blade rear lamps and LED side repeaters
Engine
- All-alloy, independent quad variable camshaft timing, 48-valve, 5,935 cc V12
- Compression ratio 11.0:1
- Front-mid mounted engine, rear-wheel drive
- Fully catalysed stainless steel exhaust system with active bypass valves
- Six three-way catalytic convertors
- Maximum power: 573 PS (565 bhp) at 6,750 rpm
- Maximum torque: 620 Nm (457 lb ft) at 5,500 rpm
- Acceleration: 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 4.1 seconds (estimated)
- Maximum speed: 295 km/h (183 mph)
Transmission
- Rear-mid mounted, six-speed Touchtronic 2 automatic/sequential manual gearbox
- Alloy torque tube with carbon fibre propeller shaft
- Limited-slip differential
Wheels and Tyres
- Front: 9J x 20" Pirelli P Zero 255/35 ZR20
- Rear: 11.5J x 20" Pirelli P Zero 305/30 ZR20
Steering
- Speed-dependent electronically controlled rack and pinion power-assisted steering, 2.6 turns lock-to-lock. Column
tilt and reach adjustment
Suspension
- Lightweight aluminium front subframe with hollow castings
- Front: Independent double wishbone incorporating anti-dive geometry, coil springs, anti-roll bar and monotube
adaptive dampers
- Rear: Independent double wishbones with anti-squat and anti-lift geometry, coil springs, anti-roll bar and monotube
adaptive dampers
- Three-stage adjustable Adaptive Damping System (ADS) with Normal, Sport and Track modes
Brakes
- Front: Ventilated carbon ceramic discs, 398mm diameter with six-piston callipers
- Rear: Ventilated carbon ceramic discs, 360mm diameter with four-piston callipers
- Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) with Track mode
- Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
- Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)
- Emergency Brake Assist (EBA)
- Hydraulic Brake Assist (HBA)
- Positive Torque Control (PTC)
- Traction Control
- Launch Control
Dimensions
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Length:
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4,728mm (inc. number plate plinth) |
Wheelbase: |
2,740mm |
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Width:
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2,067mm (inc. mirrors) |
Fuel tank capacity: |
78 litres (17.2 Imp.galls, 20.5 US galls) |
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Height:
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1,294mm |
Weight: |
1,844 kg |
Standard specification
- Full-grain Luxmil leather interior
- Alcantara headlining
- Electrically operated front seats with side airbags
- Memory front seats and exterior mirrors (three memory positions)
- 2+2 seating configuration with flexible rear environment storage
- Powerfold exterior heated mirrors
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Cruise control
- Tyre pressure monitoring
- Alarm and immobiliser
- Remote-control central door locking and boot release
- Automatic temperature control
- Heated front seats
- Curtain side head airbags
- Dual Stage Driver and Passenger Front Airbags
- Pelvis and thorax seat-mounted airbags
- Seat belt dual-pretensioners and digressive load limiters
- Trip computer
- Tracking device (UK only)
- Laminated windscreen with clear noise-insulation layer
- Glass key
- Heated rear glass screen
- Bright aluminium front grille
- Chrome side strakes and tailpipe trim
In-car entertainment
- Infotainment system with capacitive switching
- 1000W Bang & Olufsen BeoSound 15-speaker audio system
- Garmin satellite navigation system*+
- 6.5” LCD Screen
- iPod® and iPhone® Integration and USB playback
- Satellite radio system (USA only)
- DAB/AM/FM radio1
- A2DP Bluetooth® audio and phone streaming
- Wi-Fi Hub5
Options
- 10-spoke alloy wheel in a Graphite finish
- 20-spoke alloy wheel in a Liquid Silver, Silver finish with diamond-turning, Graphite finish with diamond-turning,
Gloss Black with diamond turning and Satin Black with diamond-turning finish.
- Black vaned grille
- Magnum Silver or Black mesh finish
- Black textured tailpipe
- Black, blue, yellow and red brake callipers
- Exposed carbon fibre side strakes
- Exposed carbon fibre door handles
- Protective film
- Colour-keyed Luxmil leather steering wheel
- Colour-keyed One-77 leather steering wheel with Obsidian Black leather inserts
- Centre-stack facia in carbon fibre 2x2 twill & Piano Black (Herringbone Carbon Fibre, Piano Red and Piano Ice
Mocha).
- Head restraint embroidery – AM Wings
- Black hardware pack
- Full carbon fibre gearshift paddles
- Shadow bronze jewellery pack
- Personalised sill plaques
- Rear parking assist camera
- Auto-dimming mirror with garage door opener
- Heated and ventilated seats
- Perforated leather door inserts
- Smokers’ pack
- Second glass key
- Aston Martin tracking by Cobra 13
- Alarm upgrade (Volumetric and tilt sensors)
- Toolkit
- 6CD auto-changer
- First-aid kit
*+ Includes Traffic Messaging Channel (TMC) in Continental Europe
1 Not available in all markets
2 iPod® is a trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the US and other countries
E&OE.
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