Aston Martin will launch a convertible version of the Vanquish sports car later in 2013, and CAR has scooped the soft-top super-GT testing in the UK. Mechanically identical to the hard-top car we first drove in 2012 (see our video review below) the Vanquish Volante sits on Aston’s aluminium Gen4 VH platform, and has a 565bhp 5.9-litre V12 which will power it to a 180mph-plus top speed.
Are you sure that’s an Aston Martin Vanquish Volante?
It’s certainly a Vanquish: note the raised bootlid spoiler and trademark carbonfibre front splitter. The camouflage itself copies the look of Jaguar’s F-type mules, perhaps trying to dupe onlookers into not taking a second glance at yet another taped-up soft-top undergoing on-road shakedowns near the pair’s Gaydon headquarters.
The Volante has a longer rear deck that the Vanquish coupe, allowing room for the fabric roof to retract. It’s expected that the Vanquish Volante will retain its hard-top sister’s 2+2 seating arrangement.
How much will the Aston Martin Vanquish Volante cost?
Aston’s soft-top Volantes usually command a £10k-£12k premium over their fixed-head cousins; a similar price rise for the Vanquish Volante would leave it weighing in at over £200,000. It’s closest front-engined two-seater rival is the 563bhp Mercedes SLS AMG Roadster, a good deal cheaper at £176,950. The Vanquish Volante’s price tag will also put it north of the McLaren MP4-12C Spider and Ferrari 458 Spider.
Expect to see the Vanquish Volante on sale in the latter part of 2013, as Aston celebrates its centenary.
>> Now watch CAR magazine’s video road test of the Aston Martin Vanquish…