Improving on perfection

WHEN you have manufactured a car as near to perfection as the Aston Martin DBS, what do you do to improve on it?

Tough question. Aston Martin has actually come up with two solutions. The first is an all-new, completely different model, taking the expression of every Aston Martin’s inherent qualities to a new level, albeit one reserved for just a privileged few: the One-77 – the new range-topper – is larger, lighter, more powerful, faster, more expensive and more exclusive.

The second route is to start removing parts, namely the roof, to create the DBS Volante. “But I prefer coupes”, some of you will no doubt observe. “So how is the Volante a better model for me?”.

Again, tough question. But the answer is simple. With the Volante’s roof down you can hear even more of that epic V12 wail.

When it comes to supercars, conversation is often littered with references to an engine’s character or soul. Sometimes it’s hard to pinpoint exactly what is being depicted.

The DBS V12 is an education in this regard. It has a vocal range like few other engines, able to communicate directly with gut feeling as to where in its 8,000rpm rev range it currently sits.

Anyone with a passing interest in cars will struggle to subdue a smile on hearing it. Performance-car fans will get sweaty palms.

“But I want to retain the rigidity and performance of the coupe more than I want to gain the Volante soundtrack”, you cry.

Be reassured that there is little discernible sacrifice. Top speed remains a private helicopter-baiting 191mph. As with the DBS coupe, 62mph is achieved in 4.3 seconds. The really trick engineering, however – the little extra that separates the DBS range from the scintillating DB9 line-up – is the additional taut and responsive feel you get from the DBS.

The Volante retains 75% of the coupe’s structural rigidity, enough to ensure that it feels tighter than an E string. Scuttle shake is no doubt a dirty word in the bowels of Aston Martin’s Gaydon facility.

The tweaked chassis means that drivers can more easily exploit the DBS Volante’s 510bhp, roof up or down. The transaxle design makes for even weight distribution, combining with firm suspension boasting computer-controlled and constantly adapting dampers to keep the car in check through the corners.

Interestingly, torque is actually lower than from the less powerful DB9 V12, but with 85% available from just 1,500rpm all the way to the red line, there’s always more than enough available to edge the tail out where desired.

The Volante feels light and agile – hardly surprising given the use of carbon-fibre for the bonnet, front wings and boot lid, plus the aluminium chassis and remaining bodywork.

Ceramic brakes will cope with almost limitless abuse; equipped with the slick manual gearbox, the temptation to abuse with sharp, blip-inducing downshifts and heavy middle-pedal usage is hard to resist.

As are the looks. The DB9 remains one of the few soft-tops to look as good with the roof in place as it does roof down. The DBS Volante is, naturally, no different.

The improved roof mechanism means it now drops in just 14 seconds at speeds of up to 30mph. Disappearing beneath a flush cover, the DBS’s roofless profile is made all the more eye-caressing through the added rear diffuser, bonnet vents, extended front splitter, side sills and astonishing alloy-wheel options.

As with the coupe, DBS-embossed leather seats and tasteful carbon-fibre additions come as standard, as does an outstanding Bang & Olufsen sound system that monitors the occupants to deliver the best sound quality using pop-up tweeters and a carefully crafted sound stage.

Yet even Bang & Olufsen struggles to compete with the DBS V12’s own soundtrack. Roof down and engine dancing, the Aston Martin DBS Volante is an intoxicating experience.

Model: Aston Martin DBS Volante, £175,681 on the road

Engine: Six-litre petrol unit developing 510bhp and 420lb/ft

Transmission: Six-speed manual transmission, driving the rear wheels

Performance: Maximum speed 191mph; 0-62mph 4.3 seconds

Economy: 18.2mpg

CO rating: 388g/km