Le Mans, France — Everyone knows that convertibles are chick cars, right? I mean, I’m not sending shockwaves out into cyberspace with this statement, am I? For proof, take a cursory glance at just some of the current convertibles on the market. The Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet. The Volkswagen Eos. The Volkswagen New Beetle Convertible. If these things aren’t chick cars, then I’ll eat the hat I wear to guard against the sun while test-driving these chick cars. (Sorry, Volkswagen.)
Even some higher-end convertibles steer and veer towards the feminine — but not the Aston Martin DBS Volante…
Muscular and brutally capable, this British bulldog demands that the driver have a healthy dose of testosterone coursing through his or her system. In fact, its performance numbers are identical to the coupe version of the DBS, meaning that the Volante is an extremely serious piece of machinery aimed at those whose love of driving eclipses all else.
Let’s look at the numbers.
The Aston is powered by a monstrous 6.0-litre V12 that’s mounted in the front, but set back towards the centre of the vehicle to improve handling. This engine develops 510 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque, sufficient performance to propel the car from a standing start to 100 km/h in a scant 4.3 seconds. Terminal velocity comes in at an extravagant 307 km/h.
It’s worth repeating: These figures are identical to the DBS coupe, meaning that Aston Martin has done a stellar job in reinforcing the chassis of the convertible without adding too much additional weight and, in turn, hindering performance. Part of the weight-saving effort derives from the roof itself; rather than opt for a multi-panel retractable hardtop — more and more common these days with other manufacturers — Aston has gone the traditional route with a lightweight fabric roof. The top retracts in just 14 seconds and can be operated at speeds of up to 48 km/h.
We had ample opportunity to test out the roof on the drive route, which stretched all the way from Tunbridge Wells south of London (cool and overcast) to Reims, France, (warm and sunny) before heading ending up in Le Mans (blistering) the weekend of the world-famous 24-hour race. Along the way, we battled it out with comically frustrated rush-hour commuters outside Paris and employed a completely laissez-faire approach to the 130 km/h national speed limit. As the weather grew progressively warmer, so, too, did my feelings towards the DBS Volante.
But here’s what I learned in driving the DBS coupe last year (see DRIVEN, May 2008): This car requires your full attention at all times. This doesn’t mean to suggest that you must be a member of the Aston Martin Le Mans race team in order to pilot the thing… but it wouldn’t hurt.
Not only is the DBS Volante a significantly powerful mode of conveyance, it also possesses a huge level of cornering grip. This means that you will find yourself traveling at a high rate of knots, whether in a straight line or mid-turn, without even being fully aware of that fact. Another thing: The car is wide and visibility can be obscured, depending on where you’re attempting to look.
If you happen to be driving along a deserted highway, these characteristics matter little — sit back, apply the throttle liberally, enjoy the throaty V12 and experience the feeling of your internal organs being pressed up against your spine. But if you’re negotiating the very narrow roads of rural France, watch yourself.
While I was driving, I succeeded in scaring the living daylights out of my co-driver — a steely veteran of the press junket circuit — by positioning our right-hand-drive Aston within millimeters of an oncoming car that was also hugging the centre line. Then, when he got behind the wheel, he went one better by actually banging side mirrors with a car hurtling along in the opposite direction. Exciting stuff—and a poignant reminder that the DBS Volante should not be taken lightly just because it’s a convertible.
Aside from the performance and the need for attentiveness when under power, the DBS Volante is a faithful reproduction of the original DBS in countless other ways.
There’s the crystal key that slots directly into the dashboard, becoming the starter button. The immaculately stitched leather seats and soft headliner. The carbon fibre door pulls. The chunky metal gearshift (for the 6-speed manual version) or the Lamy pen and penholder (included with the 6-speed automatic Touchtronic model). And the Bang & Olufsen ‘BeoSound’ audio system, complete with 13 speakers positioned for perfect sound, whether the top is up or down.
Long story short, then, the Aston Martin DBS Volante is a near-perfect expression of the convertible sports car. It’s incredibly sexy, wildly fast and a little bit dangerous. But… a chick car? Not on your life.
2010 Aston Martin DBS Volante: Specifications
Base price $323,195 (manual); $327,195 (Touchtronic)
Vehicle type Front mid-mounted engine rear-wheel-drive coupe
Engine 6.0-litre V12
Power/torque 510 hp/420 lb-ft
Transmission(s) 6-speed manual; 6-speed Touchtronic automatic
Fuel consumption 16.4 L/100 km (manual; combined); 15.9 L/100 km (Touchtronic; combined)
Top speed 307 km/h
