Like the feeling of wind in your hair? You’ll get plenty of it in the new Aston Martin Vanquish Volante by pushing the topless grand tourer to its limits at 214 mph. Headlight.News checks out the new British supercar.
It takes just 14 seconds to lower the Aston Martin Vanquish Volante’s power top.
What happens when you slice off the roof of the Aston Martin Vanquish? We’re getting a first look at the results with the reveal of the new Volante package. And you not only get gobs more headroom but, considering it boasts a blistering top speed of 214 mph, you’ll be able to get all the wind in your hair you can manage.
With the power top in place the 2026 Aston Martin Vanquish Volante maintains the same, sleek appearance as the coupe that made its debut this past year but, with the touch of a button you’re driving al fresco in not much more time than it takes for the convertibles twin-turbo V-12 to launch you from 0 to 100 mph.
And, yes, it does maintain that 12-cylinder powertrain despite fears that this signature Aston feature would be going away. For now, at least, Aston has rethought future drivetrain plans, notably about its electrification strategy, and the V-12 remains in play.
A history of grand tourers
The Aston Martin Vanquish Volante’s V-12 makes an impressive 824 hp.
What’s the difference between a grand tourer, a sports car and a supercar? We know it when we see it. But one thing you can’t debate is that the Vanquish Volante fits into Aston’s long tradition of delivering stunning sheet metal with gobs of power.
“For 60 years, Aston Martin Volantes have defined the art of elegant, sporting, open-top motoring,” said Aston Marton CEO Adrian Hallmark. “With its stunning looks and outstanding V-12 engine producing more power than any other front-engine production car on sale, Vanquish Volante has taken this philosophy to an entirely new level.”
With many of its past models, the ragtop package was developed almost as an afterthought. Not this time, Simon Newton, Aston Martin’s director of vehicle performance and attributes, explaining that the coupe and convertible were worked on simultaneously. That made it possible to minimize the tear-up work al fresco models often require.
What’s different
There’s no much different about the Vanquish Volante’s cabin but for a switch to operate the power top.
This approach “allowed us to retain the dynamic capabilities and character of Vanquish coupe with no compromise,” according to Newton.
Yes, it does mean a little extra weight, as the body and platform of the Volante had to be reinforced. Among other things there’s a cross brace behind the seats but it serves as an attractive design element separating the passenger cabin from the cargo compartment.
In the end, claims Aston, the body structure is nearly as stiff as the coupe – and substantially stiffer than the old DBS Superleggera Volante it replaces as the brand’s V-12 flagship convertible.
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Powertrain
The Aston Martin Vanquish Volante will launch you from 0-62 mph in 3.4 seconds, just 0.2 slower than the coupe.
What would Aston Martin be without a V-12? How long it actually does stick around will likely depend upon on what regulators do in key markets like the U.S. and EU, never mind EV-crazy China. But it’s available across the Vanquish line-up for now.
Displacing 5.2 liters and with a helping hand from twin turbos, the brutal package punches out 824 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of torque. That’s directed through an 8-speed ZF automatic transmission to the rear wheels. (All four tires being shod with Pirelli P Zero 21-inch tires.
That’s the rubber you want when you push pedal to metal considering Aston claims the Vanquish Volante will launch you from 0 to 100 kmh (62 mph) in 3.4 seconds. That’s a mere 0.2 seconds slower than the lighter, more aerodynamic coupe. Top speed, as previously noted, is 214 mph, Aston claims.
The rest of the story
Carbon-fiber ceramic brakes are standard.
The Volante’s cabin, but for a power controller for the retractable roof, is essentially unchanged from the coupe. And that means a blend of luxury and performance features.
The K-fold roof, incidentally, takes just 14 seconds to lower, and 16 seconds to pop back in place.
Sleek and sexy, for sure, but Aston has made sure Vanquish Volante is properly equipped for driving at the extremes. It relies on a multi-link suspension and features such niceties as:
- Bilstein DTX adaptive shocks;
- An upgraded stability control system;
- Carbon-ceramic brakes are standard, with 16.1-inch rotors up front, 14.2-inch in the rear.
Pricing and availability
Pricing for the Aston Martin Vanquish Volante should top the $434,000 coupe’s starting figure.
While the stock model is quite well-equipped, there are a handful of options, such as carbon-fiber-shelled Performance Seats, as well as a custom matching leather luggage set.
No pricing has been announced but you can expect the 2026 Aston Martin Vanquish Volante will come with a solid premium over the coupe’s starting price of $434,000.
No word, either, on availability, but it’s likely to show up in the near future considering Aston would like to have it ready for warming weather.
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