Aston Martin DB11 Volante 2020 review
A wise automotive industry veteran once told me that a BMW is the car you drive when you climb up, a Mercedes-Benz is the car you have when you arrive, and a Rolls Royce is the car you own. when you were always there.
It's a compelling look at the hierarchy of prestige badges, and I'd also classify Aston Martin in the "always been there" category.
Forget new money, Lambo, Porsche poseurs are so common now that you can hardly raise an eyebrow and you just know that Ferrari is in the hands of a colorful racing personality who has more money than driving sense.
At just over 4.7m long and over 2.0m wide, striking is the best word to describe the Volante.
Aston Martin has a timeless quality that persists despite the company's financial roller coaster of over a century in business. A perfect embodiment of Cool Britain built on competitive success, the Savile Row suited Sean Connery as 007, backed by his Silver Birch DB5, and was one of the most beautiful sports and GT cars ever made.
Being able to drive an Aston is always special, and we recently spent two days with the DB11 Volante, a 4.0-litre, 8+2, twin-turbo V2 convertible that can 0-100 km/h in about four seconds and lighten your wallet by at least 458,125 km/h. $XNUMX plus travel expenses.
It retains signature elements from the brand's past catalogue, including the 'light blade' design of the taillights.
At just over 4.7m long and over 2.0m wide, striking is the best word to describe the Volante. Aston's head of design, Marek Reichman, led the creation of a car that retains signature elements from the brand's past catalog - the distinctive shape of the grille, side gills and the design of the taillights in the form of "light blades" - while firmly at the forefront.
Finished in Tungsten Gray, our vehicle exudes class and sophistication, and the interior is beautifully sculpted with flowing buttresses defining a central instrument panel, complete with an 8.0-inch multimedia screen at the top, and a simple binnacle wrapping around a compact digital instrument cluster. .
The interior is beautifully sculpted with flowing buttresses defining the central instrument panel.
This screen and media controller on the center console will be familiar to current Mercedes-Benz drivers and is one of several ongoing links between Aston Martin and the three-pointed star.
Like most surfaces inside the car, the simple and extremely comfortable front seats are upholstered in real leather. They're heated and electrically adjustable, and the Volante has all the other luxury features you'd expect, from dual-zone climate control and satellite navigation to a high-quality audio system and XNUMX-degree parking cameras. Even the lid of the central box is electrically operated.
The simple and extremely comfortable front seats are trimmed with genuine leather.
But beware, the rear seats are pretty much '+2' which means it's good for kids but not so good for adults. ISOFIX anchorages and top straps in both rear positions make it easy to install child restraints/baby capsules. And in the trunk decent 224 liters.
Despite the roof being removed, the curb weight has increased slightly compared to the DB11 Coupe and amounted to a rather impressive 1870 kg. But it's not for lack of trying to keep the scales in check. The body is made of extruded aluminum, and the door structures are cast from magnesium. The culprit is the additional bottom reinforcement needed to maintain structural rigidity.
But those extra details have done the trick, because with the roof down, the Volante feels just as secure and confident as its coupe sibling.
Despite the roof being removed, the curb weight has increased slightly compared to the DB11 Coupe and amounted to a rather impressive 1870 kg.
Incidentally, the eight-layer roof, finished in Alcantara upholstery, can be lowered in 14 seconds and raised in 16 at speeds up to 50 km/h (with a headwind of 50 km/h), so the transition from quiet and cozy to bright and fresh is commendably fast and comfortable.
But for many, the real beauty of the Volante lies under the skin, and the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 is supplied by Mercedes-AMG, delivering 375kW (just over 500hp) and 675Nm to the rear wheels via a rear-mounted eight-speed automatic transmission. Transmission.
The 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 comes courtesy of Mercedes-AMG.
Launching the beefy V8 produces a formidable rumble, while pressing down on the right pedal delivers equally impressive traction.
Peak torque of 675Nm is available in the 2000-5000rpm range, meaning there's always huge performance available, and manual shifting (via paddle shifters) from the eight-speed car is positive and pleasantly quick. Engine noise and exhaust notes are quite strong in the upper frequencies.
Double-wishbone suspension up front and multi-link rear, with standard adaptive damping, and in comfort-oriented settings, the DB11 Volante minimizes urban bumps and ripples to near zero.
Engage sportier modes and rev up a bit on your favorite B-road and the car will tighten around you, feeling taut, responsive and grounded.
Aston Martin has a timeless quality.
Ten-spoke 20-inch forged alloy wheels are shod in Bridgestone S007 (255/40 fr - 295/35rr) high-performance tires, and torque vectoring (through braking) is paired with a standard limited-slip differential to keep the car balanced and drive to the rear wheel which can use it best. The power drop is huge.
Brakes are huge, ventilated discs front (400mm) and rear (360mm) with giant six-piston calipers and four-piston calipers up front. Suffice it to say that you will need a certain track session to get close to their performance limits.
High performance potential requires a commensurate focus on safety, and while expected active safety boxes are ticked off, more modern collision avoidance technologies such as active cruise control, blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, rear cross traffic alert and especially AEB , are not in action.
The stunning looks of the DB11 Volante are backed up by authentic supercar performance. A compelling and confident statement from a charismatic British brand that still stands apart from the usual sports luxury suspects.
