2009 Aston Martin DBS Volante First Drive

James Bond’s current motor of choice has gone topless. The DBS, Aston Martin’s high-protein version of the DB9, has heretofore been sold only in coupe form. That changes with the introduction of the DBS Volante. In Aston speak, Volante means convertible, and S stands for Sport. The DBS is best known for its appearance in the two most recent 007 thrillers. Considering the careening, bullet-riddled ride it endured in the opening scene of “Quantum of Solace,” it’s best that Our Man James was riding in the closed model.

The conversion from coupe to convertible is straightforward yet well-detailed. Aston eschewed the currently fashionable notion of a retractable hardtop for three reasons: cost to develop, aesthetics, and a desire to preserve trunk space. We applaud the call. The DBS Volante looks fabulous, top up or down. The rich cloth adds a certain “British carriage nature” to the car’s appearance, and the boot will at least hold your riding gear (plus its standard umbrella). All Volante tops are improved this year, with more insulation. While the

DBS coupe can be had as a 2+2 or a pure two-seater with a package shelf aft of the seats, the DBS Volante is served 2+2 only. Front and rear chassis shear panels have been revised in the name of greater structural rigidity, and the DBS-level suspension has been retuned for open-air duty.

source: motortrend