2020 Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Volante Overview
September 12 2019, Aston Martin Vancouver
"Beauty, as you know, is a mathematical equation and nature does it perfectly. Every time we develop a car we use that principle of beauty."
-Marek Reichman, Executive Vice President & Chief Creative Officer of Aston Martin Lagonda.
A Flagship Model to Spark the Decade
What's in a name? For the 2020 DBS Superleggera Volante, quite a lot. Superleggera is the Italian translation of "super light," while Volante is "to move quickly," or in more poetic translations from the Latin verb volare-"to fly." The DBS name was last seen on the 1967-72 grand tourer coupé including the suave 1969 model driven by no other than Bond, James Bond. For this open-top super GT, the name speaks volumes.
The 2020 Volante truly flies as the fastest convertible model in Aston Martin's history. This new flagship model for the brand accelerates from 0-60km in a short 3.6 seconds with a top speed of 340km per hour, outfitted with a ZF 8-speed automatic transmission, shift paddles and an intuitive Adaptive Shift Strategy (ASIS) that detects your driving style and adjusts the gear and speed accordingly. The combination of pulling power and braking force might leave you shaken, not stirred, but undoubtedly exhilarated.
Confidence in Motion, Safety in Abundance
Rest assured, with such mind-blowing power comes further accountability in the form of stability control, an adaptive suspension and wider bespoke high-performance tires courtesy of Pirelli, a leader in premium product technology for over four decades. While a bit heftier than the DB11 and DBS Superleggera due to the new convertible top, the 2020 Volante evenly distributes the extra pounds and is set 5mm lower to the ground than the DB11. Noteworthy is the new Aeroblade system which implements an airflow journey that is nothing short of masterful engineering. Both complex and seamless, it exerts 390 pounds of downforce to execute safe and masterful cornering at daring speeds while maintaining the exquisite aerodynamics distinctive of the Superleggera and Aston Martin brand.
The 2020 Volante carries forward a heavy focus on carbon fibre material known for its distinct strength, lightness and corrosion resistance. This premium material is used throughout to construct the exterior panel, carbon ceramic brakes, optional windscreen surround, optional tonneau cover, boot lid, front and back lip and interior trim. Carbon fibre encompasses the clamshell bonnet which hosts large air vents allowing the engine to keep cool and breath happily while exuding a beastly 725 horsepower and 633lb-ft of torque delivered by Aston Martin's latest powerhouse 5.2-litre Twin Turbo V12 engine.
Authentic Luxury, Breathtaking Design
With four tailpipes and an exhaust system 10 decibels higher than the DB11, the 2020 Volante's roar turns heads, but it is the unquestionable beauty and refinement of this convertible super GT that holds our gaze. The sinuous exterior is calculatingly architectured to reflect the brute strength and performance of the 2020 Volante. Aerodynamic styling is paired with imposing features like a massive grille and large nostrils that convey the power in the body that follows, while perfectly contoured arches accentuate the reflected light as an honest visual representation of the aerodynamics.
The key difference between the 2019 DBS Superleggera and the 2020 Volante is clearly the open soft-top, available in 8 different colours from sultry Bordeaux Red to deep Atlantic Blue to be paired with six interior colour options in premium Rokona fabric. The roof mechanism opens and closes in 14 and 16 seconds respectively and has been tested in extreme environments from the frozen Arctic Circle and scorching Death Valley over a month-long, 10-year simulation test.
According to CCO Marek Reichman, the design is "based on authenticity," which we can also see in the more granular interior aesthetics. Genuine metal is used to craft the gear shift, door handle and mirror fixtures, while carbon fibre upgrades are plentiful. Smooth, supple Caithness and Balmoral leather are available alongside Alcantara, a suede-like material optimized for durability and stain resistance. The racing seats and console are outfitted with a dual-colour leather pattern with intricate honeycomb stitching and perforation for ventilated seats, which combined leave a stunning visual impression. Accompanied by premium in-car entertainment hosted on an 8.0" high-resolution LCD screen, the Volante's luxurious interior design is a worthy companion to parallel the Volante's show-stopping muscular exterior.
"I believe that the DBS Superleggera Volante provides one of the greatest sensory experiences in the automotive world...Exceptional performance in an irresistible form,DBS Superleggera has justifiably won the hearts and minds of Super GT lovers the world over,and the Volante takes this concept to the next level."
-Dr. Andy Palmer, President and CEO of Aston Martin Lagonda
Deliveries of the 2020 DBS Superleggera Volante are scheduled to begin from the third quarter of 2019.
