Aston Martin DB11 Volante: 5 Things You Need To Know

CARS.COM — As fall weather takes hold and you begin dreaming about warmer seasons where every puddle isn’t camouflaged by a layer of wet leaves, you might also want to hit the open road in a convertible with the top down. Or maybe you live somewhere that isn’t Chicago and doesn’t really have “seasons” and the weather is always “nice.” Lucky you. Either way, Aston Martin has you covered: The Volante is back, this time as a DB11 to replace the outgoing DB9.

Related: Your Corvette Has a Removable Roof – Do You Need a Convertible?

So crank up “Return of the Mack.” Here’s what you need to know:

1. Four Fewer Cylinders Than the Coupe

While the hardtop DB11 is available with a 5.2-liter V-12 engine, the DB11 Volante gets only a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8. That still gives you 503 horsepower and 513 pounds-feet of torque and propels the convertible from a standstill to 62 miles per hour in 4.1 seconds, which should be plenty.

2. You Can Bring the Kids

Unlike its predecessor, the rear seats of the DB11 Volante will have Latch anchors for securing child-safety seats. It would be mean to leave them behind, wouldn’t it?

3. Their Stuff Can Come, Too

Aston Martin claims trunk volume has increased by 20 percent over the DB9 Volante, giving you more room for luggage. The total volume probably isn’t a lot by general standards, but that’s to be expected.

4. Light as a Feather, Stiff as a Board

Removing the roof significantly reduces the stiffness and structural integrity of a car; Aston Martin compensated for this and still made the DB11 Volante lighter and stiffer than its predecessor.

5. Drop the Top, Raise the Price

The suggested starting price for the DB11 Volante is $216,495 (prices do not include destination), which is $17,500 more than the V-8 coupe and equal to the V-12 coupe. If you’re seriously in the market for an Aston Martin, that means nothing to you.