Aston Martin DBS Volante, 2010

 

 

 

Aston Martin DBS Volante, 2010

Aston Martin DBS Volante makes its debut at the 2009 Geneva Auto Salon. Completing the Aston Martin DBS line-up, the new Volante will afford customers the combination of the DBS's already-established benchmark sports car characteristics with all the thrills of open-air motoring.

Broadening the DBS's character, the Aston Martin DBS Volante will appeal to drivers who wish to combine the excitement of driving a finely-tuned sports car with the invigorating feeling of being open to the elements. This juxtaposition of ultimate performance and openness stirs the senses on any drive whether an exhilarating jaunt on favoured roads or cruising on lengthy journeys. 'Volante', meaning 'moving with light rapidity', perfectly defines the performance potential and the dynamic characteristics of the Aston Martin DBS Volante.

Featuring a motorised retractable fabric roof, the DBS's beautiful profile is preserved whether up or down. When the roof is closed, it provides a warm comfortable ambience and when open, it neatly disappears behind the new tonneau cover at the touch of a button.

Conceived as a Volante from the outset, Aston Martin engineers opted for a fabric hood to closely follow the silhouette of the DBS coupe and due to its lightweight properties, minimise overall weight gain. Fully retractable in only 14 seconds and at up to speeds of 30 mph (48 km/h), the roof will automatically stow under the newly sculpted tonneau, maintaining the Aston Martin DBS Volante's perfect form - hood up or down.

Power is provided by Aston Martin's hand-built all alloy 6.0-litre V12 engine producing 510 bhp (380 kW / 517 PS), and 570 Nm (420 lb ft) of torque with a top speed of 191 mph (307 km/h) and 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) time of 4.3 seconds. The nature of the V12, and in particular the torque available at all engine speeds, serves to provide effortless driving in all situations.

Design
Although the DBS was originally conceived as a two-seater sports GT, the potential for a Volante version was always in the minds of the design team. Holding a purposeful stance, the muscular shapes and forms of the DBS have been retained exuding confidence.

Aston Martin's 16th convertible, learning taken from the engineering of previous soft-top cars has resulted in the Aston Martin DBS Volante possessing Aston Martin's quietest and most refined roof system to date. When raised, the fabric roof is insulated with a layer of Thinsulate® material relieving cabin noise and protecting the inhabitants from the elements. The hydraulic pump has been cocooned in a noise and vibration enclosure reducing noise when raising and lowering the hood.

The newly choreographed hood has resulted in an opening time of only 14 seconds due to a new five-piston hydraulic pump. The roof effortlessly stows below the newly-sculpted tonneau cover which has been redesigned to enhance the muscular attributes of the Aston Martin DBS Volante. Housing the Roll-Over-Protection-System (ROPS) which deploys two roll bars in the event of the car rolling over, the rear humps lead your eye to the new carbon fibre deck lid which has been re-styled for the Aston Martin DBS Volante. Particular to the DBS, a line flows from the leading edge of the bonnet past the elegantly sloped windscreen flowing into the carbon fibre deck lid and to the rear boot 'flip'.

The interior of the DBS represents the epitome of Aston Martin's commitment to using materials honestly, without disguise or embellishment. Lightweight materials are used throughout to save weight; door pulls are made from carbon fibre, for example, and the carpet has been woven with lighter fibres to save valuable kilograms.

Delivered as standard with Bang & Olufsen's BeoSound DBS audio system and seamlessly integrated into the Aston Martin DBS Volante's bespoke interior, the system provides the driver and passengers with an unrivalled audio experience. Consisting of 13 individual speakers and Bang & Olufsen's unique Digital Signal Processing system, the system transforms the Aston Martin DBS Volante into an acoustically sophisticated venue, capable of conveying subtle and striking musical dynamics from every source. The BeoSound DBS has been specifically revised for the Aston Martin DBS Volante and senses when the roof is up or retracted and adjusts the sound stage to compensate for wind noise and change in acoustics.

Performance
The need for high-performance stability, handling ability and low kerb weight defined the DBS's form and construction. The Aston Martin DBS Volante is powered by the same 6.0-litre V12 engine at the heart of the DBS which was launched in 2007. Producing 510 bhp (517 PS / 380 kW), peak power is delivered at 6500 rpm and the 570 Nm (420 lb ft) of torque is delivered at 5750 rpm. Tractable at any time, the DBS possesses a 'flat' torque curve providing 85% of the torque from 1500 rpm.

The 3.71:1 (manual) and 3.46:1 (Touchtronic) final drive ratio assures that all the Aston Martin DBS Volante's power is useable, while also enhancing in-gear acceleration.
Adding to the sonorous V12 enhances the aural soundtrack. Special by-pass valves in the exhaust allow a quieter exhaust note at low speeds; at 4000 rpm these open to reduce the pressure in the exhaust system, raising the power output as well as generating a rousing aural accompaniment.

The Aston Martin DBS Volante is available as standard with a rear-mounted 6-speed manual gearbox with gear ratios optimised to extract the very best from the 6.0-litre engine. Providing customers with even greater personalisation capabilities, a 'Touchtronic' 6- speed automatic featuring a torque converter is also available as an option.

Control
Contributing to the class-leading levels of rigidity, the VH-platform (Vertical - Horizontal) upon which all Aston Martins are founded, ensures a dynamically accomplished convertible translating into an exciting and communicative chassis. The VH architecture is a bonded aluminium structure that provides outstanding strength and rigidity. In comparison to its coupe sibling, the Volante retains 75% of the rigidity equating to 20kNm per degree. This has been achieved by rigidly mounting the rear sub frame and optimising the front and rear shear panels. Working together these components contribute to more than 20% of the total torsional rigidity.

Augmenting the Aston Martin DBS Volante's supreme handling characteristics is the near perfect weight distribution - achieved by mounting the 6-speed gearbox at the rear placing 85% of the weight between the front and rear axle.

The Aston Martin DBS Volante's Adaptive Damping System perfectly captures the car's sporting character, ensuring that stiffer dampers are available for better handling and control when the car is being driven enthusiastically, without compromising ride comfort during 'normal' driving conditions. A designated 'Track' mode automatically sets all dampers to their firmest positions, making it ideal for circuit driving. The DBS Volante is fitted with Pirelli P-Zero tyres that have been developed especially for the car.

The Aston Martin DBS Volante also has a revised Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system specifically tuned to the Volante to help maintain maximum traction in challenging driving conditions. In default operation, the DSC is automatically on. Select and press the button for two seconds and DSC 'Track' mode is engaged, raising the threshold at which the system intervenes to allow the experienced driver to explore the car's limits. Hold the button for four seconds and DSC is disengaged entirely.

Carbon Ceramic Matrix (CCM) brakes are featured as standard. Providing shorter stopping distances with excellent resistance to fade in even the most demanding driving conditions, the CCM brakes are some 12.5 kg lighter than a conventional system. This results in reducing the overall weight of the car and, in particular, the unsprung weight and rotational masses, further enhancing the Aston Martin DBS Volante's dynamics.

Technical Specification
    * Body
          o Two-door convertible body style with 2+2 seating
          o Bonded aluminium VH structure
          o Aluminium, magnesium alloy and carbon-fibre composite body
          o Extruded aluminium door side-impact beams
          o High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps (main beam)
          o LED rear lamps and side repeaters
    * Engine
          o All-alloy, quad overhead camshaft, 48-valve, 5935 cc V12
          o Compression ratio 10.9:1
          o Front-mid mounted engine, rear-wheel drive
          o Fully catalysed stainless steel exhaust system with active bypass valves
          o Max power: 380 kW (510 bhp / 517 PS) @ 6500 rpm
          o Max torque: 570 Nm (420 lb.ft) @ 5750 rpm
    * Performance
          o Acceleration: 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 4.3 seconds
          o Max speed: 307 km/h (191 mph)
    * Transmission
          o Rear-mid mounted, six-speed manual gearbox. Rear-mid mounted 'Touchtronic 2' six-speed gearbox with electronic shift-by-wire control system
          o Alloy torque tube with carbon fibre propeller shaft
          o Limited-slip differential
          o Final-drive ratio 3.71:1 (manual) 3.46:1 (Touchtronic)
          o Wheels and Tyres
          o Front: 8.5" x 20" Pirelli P Zero 245/35
          o Rear: 11" x 20" Pirelli P Zero 295/30
    * Steering
          o Rack and pinion, Servotronic speed-sensitive power-assisted steering, 3.0 turns lock-to-lock
          o Column tilt and reach adjustment
    * Suspension
          o Front: Independent double wishbone incorporating anti-dive geometry, coil springs, anti-roll bar and monotube adaptive dampers
          o Rear: Independent double wishbones with anti-squat and anti-lift geometry, coil springs, anti-roll bar and monotube adaptive dampers
          o Adaptive Damping System (ADS) with Track mode
    * Brakes
          o Front: Ventilated carbon ceramic discs, 398 mm diameter with six-piston callipers
          o Rear: Ventilated carbon ceramic discs, 360 mm diameter with four-piston callipers
          o Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) with Track mode
          o Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
          o Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)
          o Emergency Brake Assist (EBA)
          o Traction control
    * Dimensions
          o Length: 4721 mm (185.9")
          o Wheelbase: 2740 mm (107.9")
          o Width:
                + 1905 mm (75") (exc. Mirrors)
                + 2060 mm (81.1") (inc. Mirrors)
          o Fuel tank capacity: 78 litres (17.2 Imp.galls, 20.5 US galls)
          o Height: 1280 mm (50.4")
          o Weight: 1810 kg

Equipement
    * Interior
          o Full grain leather interior
          o Matrix alloy facia trim and Iridium Silver centre console surround
          o Carbon fibre door trims and door pulls
          o Auto-dimming rear-view mirror & garage door opener (USA & Canada only)
          o Sports seats with electric adjustment
          o Memory seats & exterior mirrors (three positions)
          o Dual-stage driver/passenger front airbags
          o Side airbags
          o Heated seats
          o Heated rear screen
          o Automatic temperature control
          o Organic Electroluminescent (OEL) displays
          o Trip computer
          o LED map lights
          o Cruise control
          o Hard Disk Drive (HDD) satellite navigation system
          o Bluetooth telephone preparation
          o Powerfold exterior mirrors
          o Front and rear parking sensors
          o Tyre-pressure monitoring
          o Alarm and immobiliser
          o Remote-control central door locking and boot release
          o Wind deflector
          o Battery disconnect switch
          o Battery conditioner
          o Tracking device (UK only)
          o Boot-mounted umbrella
          o Lamy pen and pen holder (Touchtronic only)
    * In-Car Entertainment
          o Bang & Olufsen BeoSound DBS sound system
          o Integrated Apple iPod® connector
          o USB connector with Waveform Audio Format (WAF), Windows Media Player (WMA) and MPEG (MP3) audio file compatibility
          o 3.5 mm auxiliary input socket
    * Options
          o 20" 20-spoke alloy wheels with graphite finish
          o 20" 10-spoke diamond-turned alloy wheels
          o 20" 10-spoke diamond-turned alloy wheels with graphite finish
          o Satellite radio system (USA only)
          o Piano Black facia trim and centre console surround
          o Personalised sill plaques
          o Auto-dimming interior rear-view mirror
          o Auto-dimming interior rear-view mirror with garage door opener (Europe only)
          o Alarm upgrade (volumetric and tilt sensor)
          o Tracking device
          o First-aid kit
          o Ashtray and cigar lighter