Aston Martin DBS Volante

Aston Martin's history is punctuated by acronyms that evoke immediate respect, but few carry the gravitational weight of the "DBS" designation. When coupled with the term "Volante" — the brand's historical nomenclature for its luxury convertibles — it defines a very specific class of automobile: the open-air Super Grand Tourer. This report is intended to explore, in exhaustive depth, the technical, historical, and commercial trajectory of the Aston Martin DBS Volante.

Unlike entry-level models or purely sports cars, the DBS Volante has always occupied the top of the hierarchy in Gaydon (and previously in Newport Pagnell). It represents the moment when British engineering decides to make no concessions: the most powerful engine available is mounted on the most elegant chassis, with the roof removed to amplify the sensory experience.

The following analysis is not limited to a superficial timeline. We will investigate the "lost years" of the classic era, where the model existed more as a concept than a product; we will detail the modern renaissance with the glorious naturally aspirated V12 engine; and we will dissect the final era of forced induction with the Superleggera and 770 Ultimate models. Precise production numbers — crucial for collectors —, engineering specifications, and the analysis of the special editions that transformed this car into an investment asset will be presented.

The Context of the Birth of the DBS

In the mid-1960s, Aston Martin enjoyed the global success of the DB5 and DB6, driven by James Bond's cinematic fame. However, the design of the DB4/5/6 series, created by Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera of Milan, was beginning to age against the more angular and modern trends emerging in Italy and the United States. Aston Martin needed a replacement that offered more interior space, comfortably accommodating four adults, something the DB6 only partially achieved.

Touring was initially contracted to design the successor and produced two prototypes known as "DBS C". These cars were two-seater convertibles, with fluid and elegant lines. However, Touring went bankrupt in 1966, before the project could be industrialized. Aston Martin, needing a quick solution, turned to its in-house designer, William Towns. Towns created something radically different: a wide, aggressive, and angular fastback coupe that broke with the smooth curves of the previous decade. Launched in 1967, the DBS Coupe was a shock of modernity.

Why Was There No Classic DBS Volante?

During the production period of the DBS (1967–1972), Aston Martin made a curious strategic and financial decision. Although they had a new chassis and a new design with the DBS, the demand for convertibles continued to be met by the previous model, the Aston Martin DB6 Volante.

Production of the DB6 Volante extended until 1970, coexisting with the DBS Coupe. For the board at the time, the DBS was positioned as a modern, closed GT for the businessman or family, while the DB6 Volante catered to the traditional client who wanted to ride in the open air. Therefore, the "DBS Volante" never entered the official catalog of the time as a regular production model.

Technical Evolution and the V8 Legacy

The original DBS was designed to receive a new V8 engine, developed by the legendary engineer Tadek Marek. However, the engine suffered development delays. As a result, the early DBS (1967–1969) were equipped with the 4.0-liter inline-six engine from the DB6, producing around 282 hp (or 325 hp in the Vantage specification).

It was only in 1969 that the DBS V8 was launched, finally equipped with the 5.3-liter V8 engine. This car became, at the time, the fastest four-seater car in the world, capable of reaching 257 km/h (160 mph).

When the company was sold and the David Brown era ended in 1972, the DBS underwent a "facelift" (receiving two single headlights instead of four) and was renamed simply to Aston Martin V8. It was only years later, in 1978, on this revised base (which technically was still the DBS chassis), that Aston Martin launched the "V8 Volante". Thus, although the DBS DNA was present, the name "DBS Volante" remained dormant.

Summary of Classic Era Production

• DBS (6 cylinders): 787 units.
• DBS V8: Approximately 402 units.
• DBS Volante (Factory): 0 mass-produced units (only special conversions or prototypes not mass-marketed).

After a 35-year hiatus, the DBS acronym returned in 2007 as the official James Bond car in Casino Royale. But it was in 2009, at the Geneva Motor Show, that history was rewritten: Aston Martin launched, for the first time in series production, the DBS Volante. This model was not just a roofless version of the coupe; it was the statement from Aston Martin, then under independent ownership (after the sale by Ford), that it could produce the most beautiful and powerful convertible in the world.

Engineering and Design: The Pursuit of Perfection

The DBS Volante (2009–2012) was built on the VH (Vertical-Horizontal) bonded aluminum platform, an aerospace technology that guaranteed lightweight structural rigidity. However, to compensate for the loss of the roof, engineering had to reinforce the sills and the windshield structure.

Materials and Weight

To mitigate the inherent weight gain from the reinforcements, Aston Martin made extensive use of carbon fiber — something rare for mass-produced cars at that time. The hood, the front fenders, and the trunk lid (tonneau) were all made of carbon fiber.

• Coupe Weight: 1,695 kg.
• Volante Weight: 1,810 kg.

The 115 kg increase was noticeable on paper, but the calibration of the adaptive suspension (ADS) was adjusted to maintain the sporty character.

The Fabric Soft Top

Aston Martin resisted the trend of the time to use retractable hardtops (like on the Ferrari California). The brand opted for a classic canvas soft top with "Thinsulate" acoustic insulation.

• Reason: Preserve the elegance of the rear lines and keep the center of gravity low. A hardtop would require a bulky and clumsy rear to accommodate the metal panels.
• Operation: The top opened in just 14 seconds and could be operated at speeds up to 48 km/h. When retracted, it disappeared completely under a rigid cover flush with the bodywork, maintaining the purity of the design.

The Heart of the Beast: AM11 V12 Engine

Under the long hood resided one of the greatest masterpieces of British automotive engineering: the naturally aspirated 6.0-liter V12 engine.

• Engine Code: AM11.
• Displacement: 5,935 cc.
• Power: 517 hp (510 bhp / 380 kW) at 6,500 rpm.
• Torque: 570 Nm (420 lb-ft) at 5,750 rpm.
• Performance: 0 to 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds. Top speed of 307 km/h (191 mph) with the top closed.

This engine was famous not only for its strength but for its linear power delivery and sound. Equipped with exhaust bypass valves, the car was civilized at low revs and emitted a metallic, visceral howl above 4,000 rpm, a characteristic that was lost in the modern turbo era.

Transmission: The Crucial Divide for Collectors

The DBS Volante was offered with two transmission options, rear-mounted (transaxle) for 50:50 weight distribution. This choice defines the value and rarity of the car today.

• Touchtronic 2 (Automatic): A 6-speed ZF gearbox with torque converter. It was smooth, competent, and the choice of 95% of buyers who sought a relaxed GT.
• 6-Speed Manual: A Graziano gearbox, with a shifter that felt cold to the touch and precise, mechanical engagements. This transmission transformed the car from a boulevard cruiser into a machine of intense physical engagement. In the Volante, this configuration is extraordinarily rare.

For the serious collector and the automotive historian, the production numbers are the most fascinating part of the DBS Volante story. Thanks to the detailed records of the Aston Martin Heritage Trust, we can dissect the exact production, revealing that the DBS Volante, especially in the manual version, is one of the rarest cars of the modern era.

Total Production Volume

During the four years of production (Model Year 2009 to 2012), the total numbers were:

• DBS V12 Coupe: 2,534 units.
• DBS V12 Volante: 845 units.

This means that for every three Coupes manufactured, only one Volante left the assembly line in Gaydon.

The "Needle in the Haystack": The Manual DBS Volante

The most shocking statistic lies in the transmission. While the Coupe had 984 manual units produced (a healthy amount), the manual Volante was largely ignored by buyers at the time, becoming the "Holy Grail" today.

Data Analysis: With only 44 manual units produced worldwide, the Manual DBS Volante is rarer than hypercars like the McLaren F1 or many limited-edition Ferraris. Of these 44, the split between right-hand drive (RHD) and left-hand drive (LHD) makes certain markets even scarcer.

To maintain the model's appeal throughout its lifespan, Aston Martin launched several special editions that added cosmetic and trim exclusivity.

DBS Carbon Black (2010)

This was the first major special edition, focused on a "stealth" look.

• Exterior: Exclusive "Carbon Black" metallic paint, requiring a 50-hour manual painting process.
• Details: 10-spoke wheels with black finish and diamond-turned face, black front grille, and black parking sensors (previously body-colored or chrome).
• Interior: Obsidian Black leather with coarse contrasting silver stitching and a sill plaque identifying the edition. The center console was in Piano Black.

DBS Carbon Edition (2011–2012)

Introduced in late 2011, this edition expanded on the Carbon Black concept.

• Colors: In addition to Carbon Black, two new colors were added: "Flame Orange" and "Ceramic Grey".
• Innovation: It was the first Aston Martin to offer a satin paint option, creating a silky texture that absorbed light differently than traditional gloss.
• Finish: Carbon fiber mirror caps, smoked taillights with carbon infill, and brake calipers available in vibrant colors like yellow and red.

DBS Dragon 88 (2012)

One of the rarest and most culturally specific editions, created for the Chinese market in celebration of the Year of the Dragon. Production was extremely limited, with records indicating only a single DBS Volante Dragon 88 built (Amethyst Red color).

• Details: Aston Martin badges plated in 24-carat gold. Interior featuring dragon embroidery on the headrests and colors symbolizing wealth and luck.

DBS Ultimate (2012) – The Farewell

The "swan song" of the naturally aspirated V12 generation. Launched in May 2012, the DBS Ultimate ended production.

• Exclusivity: Production strictly limited to 100 numbered units (59 Coupes and 41 Volantes).
• Visuals: Available in Carbon Black, Quantum Silver, or Silver Fox. Aggressive black trim package, including black Zircotec exhaust tips, black grille, and carbon mirrors.
• Interior: Diamond-quilted leather on the seats and headliner, red stitching, and red embroidered "S" logos.

After the discontinuation of the DBS in 2012, Aston Martin launched the second-generation Vanquish. The DBS name lay dormant until 2018, when it made a triumphant return, now accompanied by the historical surname "Superleggera" (Superlight), a tribute to the Touring construction of the 60s. The DBS Superleggera Volante was launched in April 2019 and represented a complete philosophical shift. If the previous DBS was an elegant GT, the new one was a "Brute in a Suit".

Technical Specifications: The Torque Era

The biggest change was the transition from natural aspiration to forced induction.

• Engine: 5.2-liter Twin-Turbo AE31 V12.
• Power: 725 hp (715 bhp) at 6,500 rpm.
• Torque: 900 Nm (664 lb-ft) available from 1,800 to 5,000 rpm.

Insight: The torque of the new model was nearly double that of the old DBS at low revs. This required the abandonment of manual gearboxes and the old 6-speed automatic.

• Transmission: 8-speed ZF 8HP95 automatic. This is the only gearbox capable of handling the 900 Nm of torque without exploding, while maintaining refinement.
• Performance: 0 to 100 km/h in 3.6 seconds. Top speed of 340 km/h (211 mph) — making it the fastest convertible in the brand's history at the time.

Aerodynamics: Aeroblade II

The DBS Superleggera Volante incorporated advanced aerodynamic innovations to maintain stability at 340 km/h without the need for massive wings.

• Aeroblade II System: Air is captured at the sides of the bodywork, passes through internal ducts, and is expelled vertically at the trunk lid, creating an "air curtain" that acts as a virtual spoiler.
• Downforce: The Volante generates 177 kg of downforce at top speed, just 3 kg less than the Coupe, a remarkable engineering achievement for a convertible.

The DBS Superleggera platform served as the basis for several limited editions, although most were focused on the Coupe. It is crucial to distinguish which ones existed as a Volante.

DBS 59 (2019)

A tribute to the 1959 Le Mans victory. Limited to 24 units. Predominantly based on the Coupe to replicate the roof of the DBR1 race car.

DBS OHMSS (2019)

A tribute to the 50th anniversary of the film "On Her Majesty's Secret Service". 50 units produced, Coupe only, replicating the olive green of the film's car.

DBS 007 Edition - No Time To Die (2020)

Launched for the film "No Time To Die". 25 units produced, Coupe only, with ceramic grey specification. The Volante was not included in this official numbered series.

In January 2023, Aston Martin announced the end of the current DBS line and, symbolically, the end of the era of pure front-engine V12s without hybridization. The farewell model was named the DBS 770 Ultimate.

Engineering: Refining Perfection

The 770 Ultimate was not just a sticker package; there was real engineering involved.

• Engine: Turbo pressure was increased by 7%, raising power to 770 hp (759 bhp). Torque remained at 900 Nm.
• Chassis and Steering: Installation of a solid-mounted steering column (without isolating rubber bushings), drastically increasing feedback. Front lateral stiffness was increased by 25%.
• Transmission: The ZF gearbox software was recalibrated for faster, more aggressive shifts in Sport+ mode.

Production and Exclusivity

Unlike the film editions, the 770 Ultimate had a significant allocation of Volantes, recognizing the demand for collector convertibles.

• Total Production: 499 units.
• Coupe: 300 units.
• Volante: 199 units.

The entire production run was sold out before the public launch. Visually, it is distinguished by exclusive wheels inspired by the Valkyrie hypercar and a new horseshoe-shaped vent on the hood.

The trajectory of the Aston Martin DBS Volante is a story of two distinct chapters separated by decades of silence.

In the Classic Chapter (1967-1972), the DBS Volante was the "car that didn't exist", a shadow cast by the DB6 Volante and the future V8 Volante. Its absence from period catalogs makes it a fascinating footnote on David Brown's product strategies.

In the Modern Chapter (2009-Present), the DBS Volante blossomed in two distinct forms:

• The Purist (2009-2012): The naturally aspirated DBS V12 represents classic elegance. It is a car of sound, touch, and golden proportions. The manual version, with only 44 units, is the definitive investment of this era.
• The Brutalist (2018-2024): The DBS Superleggera/770 represents domination by force. With its truck-like torque and supercar speed, it redefined the physical limits of a four-seater convertible.

The legacy of the DBS Volante is that of the persistence of the V12 configuration in a world that is turning towards electrification. Whether in naturally aspirated or turbocharged form, it remains as the pinnacle of open-air British motoring: imperfect, expensive, loud, and absolutely irresistible.