ASTON MARTIN DB9 VOLANTE

Very pretty, very sexy, wonderfully noisy. But not quite the dynamic treat you want.

• Comfort

  Dampers, suspension arms and bushes have all been tweaked to help smooth out the ride on the Volante, but it won't quite get to grips with the cruiseability of the Bentley GTC or the outright precision of the Ferrari F430 Spider. Still, you can wander about looking cooler than Mr J. Bond, so the comfort side of things gets a little sidelined.

• Performance

  Power is up in the latest iteration to 470bhp from the 6.0-litre V12, with an accompanying 442lb ft. That translates to figures that aren't too shabby: 0-62mph in 4.8 seconds and 190mph top end. Impressive enough, though it's the noise that makes it sound properly fast. Addictive aural stimulation.  

• Cool

  Car-people will probably see the Volante as rich frippery, mainly because of the associated rigidity cancer that tends to infect chop-tops. But they will still be very jealous when they see one drive past. OK, so it's a bit Liberace to have any convertible Aston, but if you're rich enough, you don't care. 

• Quality

  There have been murmerings of quality issues with early DB9s. Electrical and trim gremlins, various little niggles that mar the whole experience. Hopefully they should have been sorted by now, but it's impossible to say on first glance. Everything does look utterly gorgeous, has the tactility of a supermodel's thigh and makes you wonder why you didn't work harder at school or invent Google. Just be sure to get things fixed quick if they look even slightly shonky. 

• Handling

  A slight irrelevance if you're plumping for the Volante in the first place - you're quite blatantly in the frame for more show than outright go, but the DB9 isn't half bad. At least, not as bad as the previous DB9 Volante. Still not up there with the best though, which is a bit of a shame. Mind you, not many owners will notice, because they probably can't drive it fast enough to find out. Bitter? Us? Yes. Quite a lot and quite often. 

• Practicality

  The DB9 is a big GT and therefore copes pretty well taking care of you on a daily basis. OK, so the bootspace gets eaten into with the roof folded, but you can always use the back ‘seats' as extra stowage. You can see out of it and is even relatively easy to drive - you could use it every day and not feel hard done by. You'll feel like a Premiership tosspot or his orange and vacant WAG, but not hard done by. 

• Running costs

  Big. Aston's drink heavily, have massive insurance bills and need to be surgically inserted into some sort of special machine to be serviced. Mind you, the residuals are still doing ok, so tell that to the red-faced bank manager just before you show him the £122,950 receipt you'll have if you buy one. 

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ASTON MARTIN DBS

A harder, faster, more focussed DB9. But it feels like a totally different car – a car that Aston Martin can take on the world with. If only the Ferrari 599 didn’t exist.

• Comfort

  The DBS rides well for a car with so much potential, but like a teenage boy you never forget that it has one thing on its mind, just this time it's speed not the, er, other thing. The engine is loud, but that's the point. Watch out for cambers and uneven roads; the DBS would prefer a racetrack if given the opportunity.

• Performance

  The bare stats show that the DBS has just 60 more bhp than the DB9 at 510, so it's not actually that powerful, but 0-62mph in just over four seconds and 190mph is enough. The rumours that this is just a DB9 in a new suit are unfounded though; this is much more like the old hardcore Vanquish S in terms of experience.

• Cool

  If the DB9 is cool, then the DBS is super-chilled. Forget the slightly odorous James Bond connection - that's for teenage boys - and revel in a fine, fast Aston that makes the hair stand to attention on the back of your neck.

• Quality

  Unlikely we'll see many of these cars thrashed to hell and back, but the interior quality remains one of the DBS's strong points. Handmade and the better for it.

• Handling

  Imagine a cross between a road car and a GT racer and you're about there. The DBS is the best handling car Aston has ever produced. Forget pretty-but-rubbish DB7s, this is what an Aston should be about; noisy, raw, a bit brutal and sticks like glue.

• Practicality

  Are you sure you're not in the wrong place? Anyway, not bad for a car this fast; the boot's pretty good and the space in the cabin is dandy - though you won't be changing any wheels because there's no spare. You were worried about that, weren't you?

• Running costs

  The same as the DB9, except plus one. Group 20 insurance (they haven't got a higher one yet), into single figures if you push it for mpg and a £160k price tag mean that if you're singularly worried about running costs, you're going to look elsewhere. They aren't currently depreciating though.

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ASTON MARTIN VANTAGE ROADSTER

One of the best-looking cars in the world with a neat electric fabric convertible roof – and this wasn’t some chop-shop drop-top either, the Roadster was designed to be stiff from the outset - says it all really. Now has the pace to match the noise with the new 4.7-litre V8

• Comfort

  Generally the Vantage Roadster offers decent GT comfort, even for something capable of turning quite snarly when it wants. The hood is well insulated for both sound and temperature, the seats are comfortable over distance and the suspension soaks up the worst of the lumps. Even 14-hour trips to the Alps/SoFrance are no hassle, so long as you bring a couple of credit cards for fuel.

• Performance

  The new 4.7-litre V8 finally brings the Vantage’s bark in line with its actual bite. Where the old car sounded fast and then tended to be just a little flatter than you imagined, the new one feels infinitely more brawny. It’s a strange one because the figures aren’t all that different from the old car; bhp is up from 380 to 420 giving just 0.1 of a second’s edge 0-62mph. There’s also ‘only’ a 5mph increase in top speed to 180mph, but its in the mid-range (overtaking, corner-exit) that you’ll notice. This car goes hard and looks good.

• Cool

  Surprisingly cool for women – who seem to have more innate poise in a convertible car – less so for men, who just look either gay, or mid-mid-life crisis. A convertible Aston is not the enthusiasts choice, but possibly only ‘enthusiasts’ give a stuff about that sort of thing, so who really cares?
  
  

• Quality

  There have been murmurs about electrical issues, but that could be a hangover from a few very early cars. The new ones certainly feel rock solid, with some of the most exciting interiors to come from any car manufacturer. The roof stows neatly and quickly enough and everything has a decent haft to it. Strangely, the manual gearbox has a habit of feeling quite loose and sometimes is sticky to get into first.

• Handling

  Tick the box for the new sports suspension and you’ll have a car that can carve an apex better than any Aston has before. The steering has improved since recent revisions, the ride is better judged between grip and GT ability, it doesn’t wobble and overall it’s a deeply impressive performance. Body control is superb, but the Vantage – even with the roof off – will still ride acceptably well, with virtually no scuttle shake. It even turns out to be a hoot on a track – which is not something you’d usually get to say about something this upper crust and poseury.

• Practicality

  Seats two and a decent portion of luggage – the boot hold 300-litres – and there are no stupid rear seats, just more storage. The tank holds 77-litres, so driven carefully you can manage a decent range, and the roof works so well that you can sometimes forget you’re in a drop-top. Can’t say fairer than that.

• Running costs

  Group 20 insurance, 35-percent tax (obviously), 328g/km. The news isn’t good if you’re Vantage Roadster shopping on a budget. Oh, and the quoted combined mpg figure is 20.4mpg. You’ll get better than 30mpg on a good long motorway hike, but start hitting the backroads – or the odd trackday – and you’ll happily be into single figures. Seriously.

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2011 ASTON MARTIN VIRAGE CONVERTIBLE

Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options

The 2011 Aston Martin Virage is available in coupe and convertible body styles, the latter of which is known as Volante. A pair of vestigial "+2" seats are standard, but the coupe allows you to replace them with a more useful parcel shelf.

Standard equipment includes 20-inch wheels, high-performance tires, carbon-ceramic brakes, an adaptive suspension, bi-xenon headlights, LED running lights, front and rear parking sensors, power-folding mirrors, a battery disconnect button (for extended parking), automatic climate control, cruise control, heated eight-way power front seats with power lumbar adjustment and memory functions, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, Bluetooth, a navigation system and a premium audio system with a CD player, satellite radio, an auxiliary audio jack and an iPod audio interface. The Volante also gets a fully powered soft top and a wind deflector.

Besides an available Bang & Olufsen BeoSound audio system, the Virage's options are limited to design and customization items. There's a rather large selection of colors to choose from (including Volante roof colors), plus you can request any paint code Aston Martin or any other manufacturer has ever used. There are also plentiful interior trim types and leather hues available.

Powertrains and Performance

The rear-wheel-drive 2011 Aston Martin Virage is powered by a 6.0-liter V12 that produces 490 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque. A traditional six-speed automatic transmission with shift paddles is standard. Aston Martin estimates the Virage will go from zero to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds. The heavier Volante convertible version should be a few ticks slower.

Safety

The 2011 Aston Martin Virage comes with antilock carbon-ceramic brakes, traction and stability control, front side airbags (which protect head and torso) and parking sensors. The Volante comes standard with automatically deploying rollover bars.

Interior Design and Special Features

It's difficult to find a surface in the Virage that's not covered in soft leather, while wood, piano black, alloy trim and even sapphire crystal fill in the blanks. Easily deciphered buttons combine with a central LCD screen to create a user-friendly interface, and the Virage is the first Aston to get a greatly improved Garmin-sourced navigation system.

Unfortunately, the Virage maintains the ornate Aston Martin gauges and their strange oppositely rotating dials (the speedometer needle swings clockwise; the tachometer goes counter-clockwise). The speedometer's tiny numbers also render it largely useless, although there's a digital speedometer in the trip computer as a backup.

The driver seat is marvelously comfortable, with ample leg- and headroom for taller drivers. But since no human is likely to ever fit in the backseat, you might as well opt for the parcel shelf for the coupe instead. For larger items, the trunk is actually quite generous for an exotic sports car. As for the Volante, visibility isn't great with the top raised and wind buffeting can be tiresome.

Driving Impressions

If you're cross-shopping Aston Martins, get ready to hear a lot of the same old descriptions. The 2011 Aston Martin Virage is surprisingly easy to drive, with decent outward visibility and a traditional automatic transmission that delivers smooth shifts without the jerkiness associated with fancier automated manuals. The car is also quite comfortable, with supportive seats and a compliant ride quality. The steering is precise, and the car's 50/50 weight balance assures neutral handling. As for the engine, it provides the same thrilling experience that you get from the DB9 and DBS, which is to say, abundant power accompanied by the glorious song of a wailing V12.

So how is the Virage different from other Aston Martin models? Well, it really comes down to its suspension. While the DB9 and DBS both have adjustable suspensions, the Virage goes a step further with a suspension that automatically adapts to road conditions. The result is not only a better ride but also handling that more adeptly deals with pavement imperfections that would usually knock the DBs out of whack (especially in their Sport modes). While the Virage might not attack corners with the same skill as the pricier DBS, it's likely to be a more livable car on a day-to-day basis.

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2011 ASTON MARTIN VIRAGE COUPE

Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options

The 2011 Aston Martin Virage is available in coupe and convertible body styles, the latter of which is known as Volante. A pair of vestigial "+2" seats are standard, but the coupe allows you to replace them with a more useful parcel shelf.

Standard equipment includes 20-inch wheels, high-performance tires, carbon-ceramic brakes, an adaptive suspension, bi-xenon headlights, LED running lights, front and rear parking sensors, power-folding mirrors, a battery disconnect button (for extended parking), automatic climate control, cruise control, heated eight-way power front seats with power lumbar adjustment and memory functions, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, Bluetooth, a navigation system and a premium audio system with a CD player, satellite radio, an auxiliary audio jack and an iPod audio interface. The Volante also gets a fully powered soft top and a wind deflector.

Besides an available Bang & Olufsen BeoSound audio system, the Virage's options are limited to design and customization items. There's a rather large selection of colors to choose from (including Volante roof colors), plus you can request any paint code Aston Martin or any other manufacturer has ever used. There are also plentiful interior trim types and leather hues available.

Powertrains and Performance

The rear-wheel-drive 2011 Aston Martin Virage is powered by a 6.0-liter V12 that produces 490 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque. A traditional six-speed automatic transmission with shift paddles is standard. Aston Martin estimates the Virage will go from zero to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds. The heavier Volante convertible version should be a few ticks slower.

Safety

The 2011 Aston Martin Virage comes with antilock carbon-ceramic brakes, traction and stability control, front side airbags (which protect head and torso) and parking sensors. The Volante comes standard with automatically deploying rollover bars.

Interior Design and Special Features

It's difficult to find a surface in the Virage that's not covered in soft leather, while wood, piano black, alloy trim and even sapphire crystal fill in the blanks. Easily deciphered buttons combine with a central LCD screen to create a user-friendly interface, and the Virage is the first Aston to get a greatly improved Garmin-sourced navigation system.

Unfortunately, the Virage maintains the ornate Aston Martin gauges and their strange oppositely rotating dials (the speedometer needle swings clockwise; the tachometer goes counter-clockwise). The speedometer's tiny numbers also render it largely useless, although there's a digital speedometer in the trip computer as a backup.

The driver seat is marvelously comfortable, with ample leg- and headroom for taller drivers. But since no human is likely to ever fit in the backseat, you might as well opt for the parcel shelf for the coupe instead. For larger items, the trunk is actually quite generous for an exotic sports car. As for the Volante, visibility isn't great with the top raised and wind buffeting can be tiresome.

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2011 ASTON MARTIN DB9 VOLANTE

At a Glance

Pricing	$201,115 - $204,715
Drive Types	RWD
Engines	5.9l V12
Transmissions	A6, M6
Fuel Economy	11-13 (city), 17-20 (highway)

Overview Information

The DB9 is a British-built sports car produced in limited numbers for exclusivity. The DB9 'Volante' convertible features sleek exterior styling and an interior hand built to customer requirements. A power-operated top allows quick transitions to open-air motoring. It is powered by a 6.0-litre, 470hp V12 coupled through a manual or automatic six-speed transmission to the rear wheels. An all-aluminum structure reduces weight and helps to ensure exhilarating performance. With pricing in excess of $170,000, the DB9 Volante has few equals.

Model/Trim/Package	Engine			MPG	VjI	Base Price
DB9 Volante DB9	5.9l V12 (470-bhp)	M6	RWD	11/17	82	$201,115
DB9 Volante DB9	5.9l V12 (470-bhp)	A6	RWD	13/20	78	$204,715

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2011 ASTON MARTIN VANTAGE CONVERTIBLE THE NEW ASTON MARTIN V8 VANTAGE S

Aston Martin

The Aston Martin Vantage range comes of age with the new V8 Vantage S characterised by a host of new driver-focussed features all designed to push the honed dynamics of the standard Vantage to a new benchmark level.

Aston Martin's own 4.7 litre V8 engine has been engineered to deliver peak power of 430 bhp (436 PS / 321 kW) at 7300 rpm and torque of 490 Nm (361 lb.ft) at 5000 rpm and is coupled with a new ground-up developed Sportshift(TM) II transmission specifically designed for the Vantage S with seven short ratio gears to deliver the most engaging and intense driver involvement.

"The Vantage S epitomises every attribute of the V8 Vantage and pushes the driver experience beyond what we have offered before," says Dr. Ulrich Bez, CEO of Aston Martin, "It combines dynamic exhilaration with all the charming finesse, beauty and practicality already associated with the Vantage range."

Dynamic revisions are central to the Vantage S, with a quickened steering rack ratio of 15:1 compared to 17:1 on the standard car and a larger diameter front brake disc with new six-piston front brake calipers. New springs and dampers, and wider rear wheels also contribute to chassis revisions. A new dynamic stability control (DSC) system specifically tuned to the Vantage S along with a new brake module providing features such as Hydraulic Brake Assist (HBA) which provides assistance in emergency braking situations, and Hill Start Assist (HSA). Bespoke tyres have been developed with Bridgestone to optimise road holding enhancing dynamic feel.

At the core of the Vantage S is the new seven speed Sportshift(TM) II automated manual transmission, offered as standard and delivers exceedingly rapid gear changes, twenty per cent quicker than Sportshift(TM). The extra gear permits shorter well-spaced ratios taking advantage of the optimum torque, which combined with a shorter final drive ratio of 4.182:1 delivers quicker acceleration and an enhanced sporting feel. The inherent benefits of a single clutch system reduces complexity and significant weight over a dual clutch solution. Sportshift(TM) II allows the driver to take an increased level of control, modulating the throttle pedal to achieve the desired type of gear change. In addition, the Vantage S features a 'Sport' button which quickens the gear changes and gives the driver a more aggressive throttle response while also opening the exhaust bypass valves across most of the engine speed range perfectly characterising the 'S' variant.

As with every Aston Martin, the Vantage S benefits from its own unique sound with a new exhaust muffler and bypass valve map, creating a very distinctive and highly vocal exhaust note.

The Vantage S is instantly recognisable as a true Aston Martin, characterised by its purposeful stance conveying its agility and performance capability. From the front, a new lower front bumper finished in perfectly-aligned carbon fibre houses a larger air intake feeding the engine and front brakes. The splitter combined with the extended deck lid 'flip' work in harmony to provide increased down force at speed. New 19 inch 'V' spoke wheel styles are available as standard, while an optional 10-spoke lightweight forged wheel option, reduces unsprung mass further. A new rear bumper and side sills optically widen the car.

Bridging the gap between road car and race car, the Vantage S is heavily influenced by the 2011 Vantage GT4 race car. The GT4 takes advantage of the Vantage's immensely rigid bonded aluminium chassis, providing the ideal platform for a race car. Minor racing safety modifications including an FIA approved roll cage and racing 'bag' petrol tank along with weight saving measures are made to the standard road car to convert it into a class winning race car. In 2010, it won its class at the Dubai 24 Hours following this up with further endurance race wins at the N�rburgring 24 Hours, Silverstone 24 Hours and Spa 24 Hours. It also won its first major international championship victory in the European GT4 Cup.

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2011 ASTON MARTIN RAPIDE RAPIDE: PURE ASTON MARTIN

Aston Martin

Aston Martin will unveil one of the most eagerly awaited cars of 2009 at the 63rd Frankfurt Motorshow. The elegant Rapide, functional yet luxurious, provides space for up to four adults combined with an engaging driving experience synonymous with all Aston Martins.

As the marque's first production four-door sports car, Rapide encapsulates core values of Power, Beauty and Soul; four 'swan wing' doors provide access to cosseting sports seats both front and rear bestowing occupants with ample accommodation. A 301 litre luggage compartment affords generous space for belongings for all four passengers whether they be sports bags or indeed, sets of skis, creating an Aston Martin which can be enjoyed on any occasion, anytime, anywhere.

Rapide's rear environment has been intelligently packaged to create a space where passengers feel a part of the driving experience with clear views to the front and sides. Comfort and support is supplied in the form of two hand trimmed individual seats and a personal face-level heating and air conditioning system. Aiding the practicalities of everyday use, the luggage compartment features a movable bulkhead to permit access from the rear cabin while the rear seats fold flat at the touch of a button to create a flat loading space increasing the luggage compartment from 301 litres to 750 litres.

At the heart of every Aston Martin lies an evocative engine providing effortless power and torque: Rapide features a hand-built 6.0-litre V12 engine producing 470 bhp (477 PS / 350 kW) with peak power being delivered at 6000 rpm and 600 Nm (443 lbft) peak torque at 5000 rpm. A specifically tuned six-speed Touchtronic 2 automatic transmission features as standard, allowing the driver to change gear automatically or manually via the steering column-mounted magnesium paddles.

First shown in 2006 in concept form at the Detroit Auto Show, the Rapide project received an immediate green light from Aston Martin's new shareholders in mid 2007 following the sale of the marque by the Ford Motor Company. In a little over two years, Aston Martin's design and engineering team have delivered a new car from the ground up. Rapide has been developed from the 'V/H Architecture' platform which already forms the backbone to Aston Martin's critically acclaimed line-up: the DBS, DB9 and Vantage range.

Chief Executive, Dr. Ulrich Bez said: "Rapide is the culmination of the Aston Martin range of sports cars, a car that seals the revival of a truly admired marque. There is now an Aston Martin for every taste and for every use.

"With Rapide, the entire family can enjoy their Aston Martin together in unison, in an invigorating yet comfortable environment, sitting low, with plenty of visibility from every seat and with new levels of comfort, refinement and entertainment."

Director of Design, Marek Reichman who led the in-house design team which penned the Rapide said: "Like a race horse standing still, you can see its power and elegance, the shape of Rapide's rear haunches are muscular conveying the power that lies beneath while its low stance produces a powerful look.

"There is a real sense of proportion with this car, akin to a tailored suit; the new double grill gives more presence on the road while the iconic signature side strake has been lengthened through to the rear doors to enhance its lateral proportions in a subtle, yet elegant way. The car's purity makes it look right from every angle."

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