Bond's car drops its top
There are few surprises in the motoring world, but Aston Martin has managed to keep its new DBS Volante under wraps until today (February 25th, 2009). A drop-top version of the range-topping DBS coupé, the Volante completes the DBS range and offers Aston customers the chance to experience the DBS's wonderful V12 engine's full aural delights. Doing so is simple, the DBS Volante's fully retractable fabric roof retracting in just 14 seconds, at speeds of up to 30mph.
Roof up or down the DBS is a beautiful machine, however the real masterpiece lies under the lightweight carbon-fibre bonnet. There you'll find a 6.0-litre V12 engine. It produces the same 510bhp and 420lb.ft of torque as its closed relative, and the Volante records the same 4.3-second 0-62mph time as its coupé sister. The top speed is also identical at 191mph - the standard wind deflector is likely to come in handy at such velocities.
The new car will be shown at the Geneva Show next week, where more information including prices should be announced. We're guessing that the DBS Volante will cost around £170,000, which in today's economic climate should mean that Aston's fastest drop-top is likely to remain very exclusive.
Bond's car drops its top pictures
Official Geneva Motor Show partner
Yahoo! Cars is the official 2009 media partner.
www.salon-auto.ch/en/