If you’re buying a convertible, there are a lot of models on the market to choose from. The possible options, however, will quickly narrow down as you add up some requirements. Many will be left out of the equation if speed and performance are an absolute must-have. And from those that can offer this, not many are comfortable and relaxed to drive. Finally, the list will shrink even more if the car needs to look subtle and elegant.
There are, though, several cars thicking all of these boxes perfectly, and Aston Martin DB9 Volante is one of them. This British convertible, being a well-balanced blend of timeless design, raw performance, and pure driving enjoyment, is a true automotive masterpiece.
The long Aston Martin DB line
When one looks closely at Aston Martin’s models, it’s easy to see why they’ve been used as James Bond cars so often. Like the famous agent, these vehicles will excel in various conditions thanks to their power and well-balanced capabilities. This, however, is something many of its competitors can offer at an equally impressive level. Some of them, such as Ferrari or Mercedes, might even outgun it in some performance departments. But what sets Aston Martin apart from rivals is the subtle and elegant form in which it delivers its potential. There’s no doubt these cars will make a forceful and impactful statement. Still, this is done without overdoing it, like the Italians would do, or overcomplicating it as a German car would usually do.
This sleek and elegant image, cherished by Aston Martin for decades, ultimately made their cars famous and popular. But by the end of the millennium, their models started to show their age. This was most evident with the DB7, which seemed outdated compared to prestigious grand tourers at the time. And this wasn’t just down to the aging design, as the mechanics underneath couldn’t keep up with the competition anymore. So, to get back into the game, it was decided to develop its successor from the ground up as a clean-sheet design. And the emphasize this evolutionary leap, the new Aston Martin would be called DB9, skipping the number 8 in until-then ascending sequence. The British manufacturer had a lot of riding on this car, as it was aimed at widening the brand’s appeal and increasing production volumes.
Aston Martin DB9’s stunning looks
At first glance, the DB9 doesn’t differ much from the outgoing DB7 it replaced. While seemingly surprising for a freshly-designed model, sticking to a familiar shape had a lot of sense. This is especially true for the front of the car and its sides, which looks like they were just facelifted. The situation is entirely different at the back, which received a complete visual makeover, with taillights being the most notable detail. Whereas the outgoing car had these borrowed from Mazda 323, the new DB9 didn’t use such parts-bin solutions. Instead, it has one of the most stunning and visually appealing rear ends ever.
The Aston Martin DB9 was available as a coupe or convertible called Volante. And contrary to the trends of the time, the roofless version has a foldable fabric roof. The designers felt this solution suited the car’s character more than a space-age metal one. In addition, this made the construction less complex, allowing the roof to be retracted in just 17 seconds.
Another aspect where the DB9 made an enormous leap forward for Aston Martin is the interior. Here, instead of reusing existing parts and solutions, the designers choose to develop everything from scratch. The result is one of the most spectacular and elegant interiors ever fitted to a car. And it’s not just the looks, either, as it offers almost intuitive practicality and functionality.
What the Aston Martin DB9 Volante has under the skin
One of the things the old DB7 was often criticized for was its optional straight-six engine used in entry-level models. Although reasonably powerful, many considered that such an engine diluted the brand’s high-end appeal. Having that in mind, Aston Martin decided the DB9 would come exclusively with a then-newly-developed V12. With it under the hood, the drivers had 456 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque at their disposal. This output gradually increased over the years, reaching 517 horsepower in 2013. The cars were available either with a Touchtronic automatic or a 6-speed manual transmission.
The Volante has the same chassis as the coupe version, albeit slightly reworked to stiffen it up. Structural tweaks are necessary to make the car, which has no roof, rigid enough. These were, however, made in a very ingenious way to keep the weight down. Instead of a visually unacceptable rollover, the Volante got a strengthened windshield frame. Additionally, this convertible has metal hoops behind its rear seats, which pop up if the car rolls over in a crash. These solutions ensured the car’s sleek silhouette while not compromising passenger safety.
Is Aston Martin DB9 Volante any good as a grand tourer
The all-new Aston Martin DB9 is, without an inch of a doubt, a capable sports car in every conceivable way. For a start, with its aggressive design and streamlined silhouette, it definitely looks like one. And with a mighty V12 engine under the hood and then-revolutionary Touchtronic transmission, it ought to be fast. Lastly, all of this can ultimately be confirmed by some performance figures. For instance, the DB9 will go from 0 to 60 in less than 5 seconds and will keep accelerating until it reaches 186 mph. All of this is rather impressive for a car weighing nearly 4.000 pounds.
But these cold-stoned numbers don’t reveal whether the Aston Martin DB9 is any good as a grand tourer, which is its primary role. If it were to be successful at this, this car must be a spectacular long-distance cruiser. And this means it, besides being fast, has to be comfortable and relaxing to drive. A requirement such as that, which calls for a balance between sporty ride handling and softy road comfort, is exceptionally demanding for any car maker. And with DB9 Volante, Aston Martin had chosen to go with a comfy note. Compared to a standard coupe version, it had softer springs and a less stiff anti-roll bar, resulting in a more gentle ride characteristic.
Consequently, the DB9 Volante was often viewed as too soggy, especially compared to some of its competitors. But truth be told, if focusing on handling or track times, a car like this wouldn’t be the best choice, to begin with. For one, all the extra steel work needed to make up for the absence of the roof adds considerable weight, which is not performance-friendly. And even with all that, convertibles are never as stiff as the coupe version they’re usually derived from. With all that in mind, focusing on comfort and a relaxed driving experience does make more sense.
Buying it today
The DB9 was one of Aston Martin’s most successful models of all time, with more than 16,000 cars being made during the 14-year-long production run. Of the lot, approximately 4.800 of them were made as convertible Volantes. And this body shape is the most desirable among enthusiasts today, which, predictably, affects their market value. The current prices for a used Aston Martin DB9 Volante range from approximately $50,000 to $150,000.
Wrap up on Aston Martin DB9 Volante
Aston Martin DB9 is a grand tourer made between 2003 and 2017, which came as a direct replacement for DB7. When naming it, the number 8 was intentionally skipped to emphasize this was a completely new car, freshly designed from the ground up. The DB9 was available as a coupe and convertible, with the roofless version widely known as Volante. This car offers a well-balanced blend of performance, comfort, and practicality, which makes it an excellent grand tourer. As such, it has always been a choice for drivers who like to travel fast and in style.
