SLIGHTLY ROOFLESS: The All-New, 671HP, Aston Martin DB12 Volante

There are names in the automotive world that go beyond mere engineering. Names that are attached to history, elegance and purpose.

Aston Martin is one of them. Born in 1913, the marque was raised both on racetracks and red carpets and has been the chosen form of transport for royals, rebels and….secret agents.

But Aston Martin isn’t just a brand. The icon’s refined heritage of sovereignty has resisted the trends of modern styling, where ostentatious lines and plastic are in abundance.

We have been lucky enough to get hands on with the all-new DB12 Volante, thanks to Aston Martin Adelaide. It certainly seems to be an impressive machine, but has it really allowed the legacy of this iconic staple to stand the test of time?

As we entered the light, modern dealership we were met with James Hardstaff, the Sales Specialist at Aston Martin Adelaide.

Beneath that long, sculpted bonnet - a 4.0 litre twin-turbo V8, hand built by Mercedes AMG and tuned by Aston Martin to produce 671 horsepower and 800nm of torque. That’s a 34% increase over the outgoing DB11 Volante’s output – enough to catapult the DB12 Volante from 0-100kmh in 3.6 seconds, with an impressive top speed of 325 kmh. To go along with these numbers - a symphony that sings loud with the roof down.

With these types of statistics, it would be fair to assume that an intimidating and brutish attitude comes along with it. But with the DB12 Volante, this couldn’t be further from the truth. It’s not just fast. Its composed. Focused. A chassis tuned not for chaos, but for clarity.

But perhaps, whilst rapid acceleration and a balanced chassis are great characteristics to hold, were they the primary focus of Aston Martin when they developed this machine? I don’t think so. It’s made to be simply…beautiful. By all means, Aston certainly did succeed in that aspect. Just look at it! Every angle is eloquent, flowing from panel to panel. In this day and age, it’s hard to find a new car which holds such classical beauty. Its almost unheard of! Really, the ludicrous power present within the DB12 Volante is only there to solidify and prove its self-proclaimed label as a “Super Tourer.” It really is a whole new evolution of what once categorised a Touring car.

Whilst the DB12 Coupe is an outstanding machine in its own right, there’s just something about convertibles. In a lot of instances, when transforming a coupe into a convertible, many sacrifices come with feeling the wind in your hair. Luckily, in the Volante, this isn’t the case. The soft-top roof is retractable in 14 seconds, and can be done so in speeds up to 50kmh, ensuring the concept isn’t an annoyance.

What sets the DB12 Volante apart from pure performance-oriented rivals is its sense of occasion. This is not a track-day toy or a point and squirt supercar. It’s a car built for journeys, for scenic sweeping tarmac, for coastal highways at dusk, for moonlight escapades. The open-roof experience adds a layer of connection between driver, machine and the outside world. The scents of the countryside, the warmth of the sun, the sound of that glorious exhaust echoing through valleys – none of that is possible with a fixed roof.

It invites you to slow down, to appreciate the rhythm of the road. But if you dare, it can devour tarmac with a ferocity that rivals mid-engined exotics. Few cars can deliver on both ends of the spectrum so completely.

Inside, the DB12 Volante blends craftsmanship with cutting edge tech – two attributes that have become synonymous with Aston Martin. The hand stitched leather upholstery, carbon fibre trim, and extensive options makes the cabin feel uniquely personal. Aston Martin’s new infotainment system – a vast improvement over previous iterations – features a 10.25 inch touchscreen with wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto. The 15-speaker Bowens & Wilkins audio system is a highlight, but who needs music when you have that orchestral noise emitted from that sculpted rear end?

The Aston Martin DB12 Volante is an open-air masterpiece. It’s a statement of intent, not just from Aston Martin, but from whoever chooses to purchase it. It dares to blend performance with luxury, tradition with innovation and elegance and aggression – and does so without compromise. Sure, there’s more extreme, borderline unusable track focused cars on the market, but who really wants that? The DB12 Volante threads the needle into a category that didn’t even exist before it.

For those who desire beauty and speed with the wind in their hair and leather beneath their fingertips, the DB12 Volante offers a uniquely intoxicating experience.