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n a stunning reveal, Aston Martin has taken the wraps of fthe 2024 DB12 Volante convertible, ahead of its anticipated arrival in Australia early next year.
The Volante, the drop-top iteration of the new DB12 coupe, follows in the footsteps of its predecessor, the DB11 luxury sports coupe, which debuted earlier this year.
Under its elegant hood, the DB12 Volante boasts the formidable 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine borrowed from Mercedes-AMG.Notably, this V8 powerhouse now exclusively replaces the Aston Martin-designed V12 option.
Set to grace Australian showrooms in the first quarter of 2024, with deliveries expected between January and March, the DB12 Volante starts at a base price of $492,000 before on-road costs. This price point positions it higher than the DB11 Volante V8, which starts at $441,700 plus on-road costs, and exceeds the cost of the DB12 coupe priced at $455,000 plus on-road costs.
Though the DB12 wears a new moniker, it's predominantly an evolution of the previous DB11, showcasing refreshed exteriors, a more rigid chassis, an entirely revamped interior, and a more potent V8 engine.
The power-operated soft-top roof of the Volante unfurls in a mere 14 seconds and closes in 16 seconds. Impressively, these operations can be executed at speeds of up to 50 km/h, even in the face of a 50 km/h headwind.
When folded, the roof fits into a "class-leading" 260mm space, offering eight layers of sound insulation and a selection of four fabric colours.
According to Aston Martin, the DB12 Volante boasts a 3.7% increase in stiffness, thanks to enhancements like an engine cross-brace and revamped rear suspension mounts. The front suspension mounts contribute to a remarkable 140% increase in stiffness.
Though the exact benchmark for these figures isn't specified, it is believed that the comparison is made against the outgoing DB11 Volante. For reference, the DB12 coupe is claimed to be 7% stiffer than its DB11 coupe predecessor.
Powering the DB12 Volante is the same 4.0-litre twin-turbo charged V8 as seen in the coupe model. Generating 500kW and 800Nm of torque, this engine represents a significant improvement over the DB11 V8, boasting an additional 107kW and 125Nm, and even outperforming the previous DB11 V12 by 30kW and 100Nm.
Sending power to the rear wheels is an updated eight-speed automatic transmission, featuring a revised shorter final-drive ratio for enhanced acceleration. This powertrain is supplemented by an electronic limited-slip rear differential.
The 0-100km/h sprint is achieved in an impressive 3.7seconds, slightly slower than the coupe variant, while both share the same top speed of 325 km/h.
Aston Martin's chassis enhancements include the incorporation of new-generation adaptive dampers, offering a "500% increase in bandwidth of force distribution." Other updates encompass anew non-isolated steering column, four stability control modes, and four regular drive modes.
An array of 21-inch alloy wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport S5 tires developed for this model ensures optimal road grip.
Braking is handled by cast-iron 400mm front and 360mm rear discs as standard, with the option to upgrade to carbon-ceramic discs for reduced unsprung mass and enhanced brake performance, particularly on the racetrack.
Visual distinctions between the DB12 coupe and Volante are primarily confined to the roof configuration and the sheet metal concealing the soft-top when retracted.
Inside the Volante, Aston Martin has modernised the infotainment system, replacing the aging Mercedes-sourced interface with a newly designed Aston Martin touchscreen measuring 10.25 inches. This system boasts features like wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, satellite navigation, over-the-air software updates, and compatibility with a dedicated Aston Martin smartphone app.
While physical switches remain for critical functions, such as gear selection, drive modes, air conditioning, and volume control, the interface is now more seamlessly integrated into the interior's aesthetics.
With its wood veneer or carbon-fibre panels on the seat backs complementing the door trim inlay, the Volante showcases a tasteful interior design.
An 11-speaker, 390-watt Bowers and Wilkins surround sound system comes standard, with an optional 15-speaker, 1170-watt version available.
The 2024 Aston Martin DB12 Volante is set to make its public debut at the Pebble Beach car show during Monterey Car Week in California, just ahead of the commencement of production by the end of September. Initial deliveries to international markets are projected by the end of this year, with Australian arrivals anticipated in early 2024.
