Car Reviews: Aston Martin DB9 Volante

The Volante is the thirteenth convertible built by Aston Martin. It is the first convertible to be built on the new VH platform strategy and the first to be built at the Aston Martin Gaydon facility.

The Volante is an automobile that sports extravagant beauty and styling. There is none of the upscale jewelry that leaves a Mercedes Benz XL looking nouveau. The Volante still looks as a classy, upmarket automobile. Compared to the "looks like a lot missing" Porsche 911 the Volante seems as if it was designed from the ground up to be a true soft top.

By taking the top of the car off, of course, you lose a lot of the cars rigidity. The Volante is just a little more than half as stiff as the hardtop coupe which is enough to alter the handling of the car. To compensate for the loss of rigidity the Volante's suspension has been softened. As a result the Volante feels more like a cruiser than a sportster.

The Volante will roll more than the hardtop and its reactions are not as quick. This is a car you drive with finesse rather than manhandling on the open road. A Mercedes Benz SL 600 glides down the road but the Volante quivers and the cabin squeaks in time. It is not as noticeable as the older versions such as the DB7 but it is still noticeable.

If this sounds negatively on the auto don't let it. Even though the setup isn't perfect it is still a very elegant ride. By adapting a smooth, liquid like driving style it is possible to cover highways at a great speed.

The DB9 has a 450-hp,6.0 liter V-12 which is 5,935cc of motoring fun. The engine emits a low muffled rumble at the first start and winds up to the sounds of a howling wolf above the 6,000 rpm mark. This engine will engage any drivers senses with adventure and excitement.

The Volante weighs in at about 154 pounds more than the coupe but this is not enough to effect the performance of the auto. It is stated the car will still do 0-60 in about 4.9 seconds and is limited to a speed that is more than fair for drivers at 165 miles per hour.

For the past 30 or so years Aston Martin drivers have gotten used to the mismatched parts in their cabins such as Jaguar heater controls, air vents from a Volvo, and even window switches from a Ford. All that has changed with the DB9. Sarah Maynard's design results gave an interior that a car of $173,000 is worthy of.

The DB9 feels like a delicately crafted piece of artwork. It gives a sense of pride that the Mercede Benz SL lacks as it feels as it was factory made. Not only is the Volante an extremely wild ride it will give you the feeling of a new ornament for every holiday. You will want to park it out in your yard for everyone to view on any occasion.