The replacement

Be it the Vanquish, DBS, or DB9 — there’s nothing quite like experiencing the soul-stirring growl of an Aston Martin V12 with the roof down. But if you’ve held off ordering a DB11 coupé in anticipation of the Volante, you might be disappointed to hear that it will only be offered with the 4.0-litre, twin-turbo V8. Sure, it still boasts 503bhp and 513lb-ft of torque, but will the improved efficiency and minor weight reduction (over the DB9 Volante, that is — it’s some 110kg heavier than the V8 coupé) really impress you enough to forget about the noise? We’ll wistfully reserve judgement. On the flip side, the drop-top DB11 looks sensational and far more classically proportioned than the coupé, with its slightly awkward ‘split’ body. Aston apparently opted for a traditional fabric roof, rather than a heavier hardtop, for the sake of the styling, and it’s certainly paid off. The eight-layer roof can be lowered in just 14 seconds, at speeds of up to 31mph, and inside, there are new plush-looking seats. On the outside, meanwhile, there’s a new 20-inch forged wheel design that’s, curiously, available in a Champagne finish — to each their own, we say. Deliveries will start in the spring of 2018, with prices starting from 199,000 euros. 

Photos: Aston Martin