We hear you; the new Aston Martin DB11 Volante really is drool-worthy, isn't it? These are the first pictures of the open-topped version in all its glory and it really does look special, roof up or down. That's thanks in part to what Aston reckons is the smallest 'stack height' in the sector, so it has kept the rear bodywork lithe looking, including the panel the roof stows under. The top itself is an eight-layer fabric construction that can be opened using the key fob remotely or from a button within the 2+2 cabin. Lowering the roof takes 14 seconds and it takes two seconds longer to put it back up. As you'd expect, this can be done at speeds of up to 31mph. The roof itself can be specified in Bordeaux Red, Black Silver or Grey Silver and there's a new design of 20-inch alloy wheel that can be had in several different finishes.
Anything new inside?
Less boot space than the DB11 Coupe, obviously, but, putting a positive spin on that, there's 20 per cent more luggage capacity than in the Aston DB9 Volante. New for the DB11 Volante are veneers for the backs of the front seats, matched to the trim materials up front, including wood and carbon fibre.
And under that long one-piece bonnet?
It's the V8. Aston is launching the DB11 Volante solely with the twin-turbocharged, AMG-sourced 4.0-litre V8 only recently introduced to the Coupe. By way of reminder, it gets 510hp and 675Nm of torque, sent through a rear-mounted eight-speed automatic and a good ol' mechanical limited slip differential. In terms of straight line performance, it's pretty much as fast as the Coupe with a top speed of 187mph and 0-62mph in 4.1 seconds. All the same driving mode options are including in the Volante, and it too features adaptive damping with three settings for the driver to choose from.
Lovely, can I see more?
Sure, here's a video, though it doesn't quite convey how sensational the biturbo V8 is going to sound with the roof down...
