On the heels of Aston Martin’s announced delay of its first battery-electric vehicle, the iconic British luxury automaker launches its fastest, most powerful roadgoing droptop – with a V-12 internal-combustion engine.
It’s clear the automaker is reacting to a slowdown in consumer demand for luxury BEVs, especially sports cars. The BEV delay also is part CEO Adrian Hallmark’s drive to make near-term cuts, including a 5% trim of its labor force announced in February.
Aston Martin, which has pushed back the timing of its BEV from 2026 to 2030, now chops the top off its Vanquish for the roadster that employs the same 5.2L all-aluminum quad overhead-cam, 48-valve twin-turbocharged V-12 with 831-hp and 737 lb.-ft. (999 Nm) of torque.
The convertible claims the same performance as its hard-top sibling with a 0-to-62 mph (100 km) sprint time in 3.3 seconds and a top speed of 214 mph (344 km/h).
Its lightweight folding fabric electric top can be opened in 14 seconds and closed in 16 seconds and functions on the move up to 31 mph (50 km/h). It can also be opened or closed remotely with the car’s the key fob within 6 feet (1.8 m) of the car.
“For 60 years, Aston Martin Volantes have defined the art of elegant, sporting, open-top motoring, Hallmark says. “At Aston Martin we are proud to be doing such justice to our heritage while, as the unprecedented performance of the Vanquish Volante shows, keeping our eyes firmly focused on the future.”
