2018 Aston Martin DB11 Volante quick spin review
- Gorgeous styling
- Sonorous V8
- Flattering dynamics
- No V12 option
- Mercedes-sourced electronics, engine
- Not cheap...
What is it?
The only convertible Aston Martin currently on sale, a drop-dead gorgeous DB11 spinoff intended to steer you away from Ferrari or Porsche dealerships.
How much does it cost and what do you get?
Priced from $398,495 plus options and on-road costs, the Volante sits between the cheaper DB11 V8 coupe and range-topping, V12-powered DB11 AMR. Exclusivity is part of the deal, as the brand only plans to offer 10 examples of its aluminium-bodied roadster locally in 2018.
Based on the DB11 V8, the main selling point for the four-seat convertible is an insulated fabric roof capable of hiding away in less than 15 seconds, operating while the car is driven at speeds up to 50km/h.
Naturally, you get plenty of kit including multi-mode suspension, a central infotainment screen with sat nav and a reversing camera, a digital dashboard, climate control and much more.
Many owners will be more concerned with the Aston’s looks, where crisp details meet bold proportions anchored by a broad and shapely bonnet. There’s an elegance and grace to the Volante rarely found in angular, aggressive supercars. Toned like a breaststroke finalist on the starting blocks, the Volante eschews the hulking masculinity of some rivals by taking a classier approach.
What’s under the bonnet?
The DB11 features a 4.0-litre twin-turbo, 375kW and 675Nm V8 sourced through Mercedes-AMG. Traditionalists might bemoan Aston Martin’s decision to use an engine which isn’t exactly rare on Australian roads, while pragmatists will appreciate the logic in employing one of the most powerful and character-laden powerplants.
Few V8s match the presence of Affalterbach’s boosted engine, which delivers ample straight-line punch accompanied by a thunderous soundtrack under throttle and a rippling crackle on the over-run.
Extroverted compared to its vocally restrained V12-powered cousin, the engine has a fine partner in a topless roadster offering your ears unfettered access to the airspace slurped and shredded by a handmade motor.
Like the coupe, the Volante drives the rear wheels through a smooth eight-speed automatic transmission mounted in the rear to improve weight distribution.
What’s it like to drive?
Speaking of weight, part of Aston Martin’s decision to offer a V8 stems from the powerplant’s lighter weight – it undercuts the twin-turbo V12 by 110 kilos.
Which is a good thing, as the roadster isn’t a particularly light car. Weighing in at 1825kg, the heavy convertible doesn’t quite have the same urgency as its coupe cousins. But the new model is by no means slow, able to reach 100km/h in 4.1 seconds before streaking beyond 300km/h in the right environment.
Back in the real world, the roadster feels comfortable and composed whether trundling along the boulevard or scything across the landscape on a late-night blast. The latter experience is particularly memorable – crank up the seat heaters, feel the wind in your hair and the cool metallic touch of its shift paddles as you explore what it has to offer.
The DB11 has evolved since it first arrived, improving under the guidance of ex-Lotus handling guru Matt Becker. A squared-off steering wheel offers outstanding precision and predictability, guiding a surprisingly supple chassis through all manner of bends.
There are three settings each for the driveline and chassis - normal, sport and sport plus – each with increasing intensity, though Aston missed a trick by allowing drivers a chance to customise their own combinations and save them in an easily-accessed Goldilocks setting.
Comfortable in its regular mode and focused when bumped up a notch or two, the DB11 is composed and rewarding at a sensible pace without feeling as though you need to frequent racetracks to understand its character.
What’s it like inside?
As with its hardware, the Aston’s cabin is a fusion of British design and craftsmanship underpinned by German technology. Mercedes-sourced electrical infrastructure hidden behind the dash is felt through infotainment and indicator touchpoints shared with the luxury brand, along with the general layout of its communication and navigation systems.
Intricately quilted seats, cool-touch metal elements and beautifully-finished charcoal-coloured open-pore wood trim joined striking blue leather trim that divided Drive staff exposed to our test example. In any case, the car can be featured in myriad colour combinations catering to personal tastes – provided you have cash on hand.
Overall, the DB11’s cabin is comfortable and immersive without quite matching the tech and attention to detail of rivals such as Bentley’s new Continental GT.
Practicality is accounted for by Isofix points in the rear seats, a powered centre console and 200 litres of boot space - enough to be useful without the silhouette looking as though there’s excess junk in the trunk.
Is it safe?
You can’t be certain, as half-million dollar cars don’t get crash tested by the likes of ANCAP. But a strong chassis, powerful brakes, well-sorted stability control and the usual complement of airbags should keep you protected.
Would I buy it?
Aston Martin’s secret-agent cachet, driver-focused dynamics and unmistakable styling are almost irresistible. Then again, there are some seriously compelling alternatives in rival showrooms...
What else should I consider?
Ferrari’s brand-new Portofino roadster is tough to get hold of, and you’ll have to wait for a roofless new-generation Bentley Continental GT. Aston Martin will soon offer convertible versions of the V8-powered Vantage and V12-powered DBS Superleggera, while McLaren’s razor-sharp 570S Spider is worth a look for folks who make driving dynamics priority number one.
Beyond that, the Porsche 911 Turbo cabriolet is a safe bet, and Mercedes-AMG’s S63 Convertible and GT Roadster cater to luxurious and sporting tastes.
2018 Aston Martin DB11 Volante pricing and specifications
Price: From $398,495 plus on-road costs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbo petrol
Power: 375kW at 6000rpm
Torque: 675Nm at 2000-5000rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic, rear-wheel-drive
Fuel use: 10L/100km