Is the Aston Martin DB12 Volante the brand’s ultimate open-top ‘Super Tourer’?
Sofitel Hotel, Sentosa - With a soft-top roof and gorgeous silhouette, the Aston Martin DB12 Volante joins the ranks of the Ferrari Roma Spider and Mercedes-AMG SL-Class in Singapore by offering sun-worshippers another powerful drop-top option.
Prices for the DB12 Volante start from $1.368m (before COE and options), approximately $80k more than its fixed roof sibling, the DB12 Coupe and within S$130k of the Ferrari Roma Spider's $1.238m (also before COE and options).
According to Aston Martin, the DB12 Coupe is elevated beyond mere “Grand Tourer” status to that of “Super Tourer”, which should make the DB12 Volante (the brand’s term for convertible) its ultimate drop-top “Super Tourer”!
Aston Martin’s current design language makes it easier to tell the different models apart. However, familiar brand traits like the prominent single-vaned grille remain a recognisable feature, as do the side strakes, which have appeared in every DB.
See also: MINI Aceman SE Drive Review : Ace of Hearts
Putting the K-fold roof down (this takes approximately 14secs - raising takes longer - and can be operated with the car travelling at speeds of up to 55km/h) throws the spotlight on its broad shoulders, which accentuate the DB12 Volante’s width and creates a powerful road presence.
The roof canopy features eight layers of insulation, which preserves the sanctity of the cabin with the roof-up. It folds into a 260mm stack, which helps maximise boot capacity (169-litres with the roof-down, 206-litres with the roof-up) and allows for a seamless rear profile and uninterrupted silhouette.
See also: BMW G90 M5 Drive Review : Purple Reign
Thankfully, the insulation doesn’t stop you from enjoying the music from the twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8’s fruity exhaust soundtrack, especially when you’re working to muster its mighty 680hp / 800Nm.
It’s easier to appreciate the cabin fineries with the roof-down, as the DB12 presents an elegant fusion of hand-stitched tailoring with modern concessions to digitalisation (including a new UI), but the latter never threatens to overwhelm the proceedings.
With more brands bringing back soft-tops for their convertibles (Roma Spider, SL and the recently shown GranCabrio Folgore), it's great to have so many choices now if you have a million and a bit to drop on a drop-top.
PHOTOS BY Aston Martin Singapore
