First look at the Aston Martin DBS 770 Ultimate Volante
At no juncture during my time with the Aston Martin DBS Volante did I experience any inadequacy in its horsepower. And yet, here we are, presented with the convertible form of a truly powerful last edition. Aston Martin has revealed the initial official images of the DBS 770 Ultimate Volante and, as expected, opinions on the wheels are divided.
Despite this fact, gaining access to a 5.2-liter twin-turbo V12 with an open-air ticket is undoubtedly an excellent way to say goodbye. The Ultimate Volante is, of course, Aston Martin's farewell to the DBS. It consists of a total of 499 vehicles, including 300 Coupes and 199 Volantes, all of which have already been sold.
It is easy to comprehend why it has sold out so quickly. The Ultimate Volante has an upgraded version of the already impressive Aston V12 engine, increasing its output from 715bhp to 759bhp and an immense 663lb ft of torque, available between 1,800rpm and 5,000rpm. The additional power is a result of modifications to the air and ignition pathways, as well as additional boost, with a precise increase of seven percent.
The V12 engine is mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox with a quicker calibration, transferring power to a differential on the rear axle. Although it is no faster than the regular DBS Volante, accelerating from 0-62mph in 3.6 seconds is more than enough for a vehicle of this caliber.
Aston Martin's DBS Volante has never once left drivers wanting for power, and yet, the sight of the final edition, an exceptionally robust convertible, leaves one in awe of its strength. Aston Martin has now publicly revealed the DBS 770 Ultimate Volante, an incredibly potent vehicle with wheels that will undoubtedly inspire mixed reactions.
Nevertheless, having access to a 5.2-liter twin-turbo V12 engine in an open-air vehicle is an excellent way to bid farewell. The Ultimate marks the end of the DBS line for Aston Martin, with only 499 vehicles made up of 300 Coupes and 199 Volantes. And all of them have already been spoken for.
It's easy to understand why the Ultimate sold out so quickly. It contains a high-powered version of the already powerful Aston Martin V12 engine, with 759bhp and an immense 663lb-ft of torque available between 1,800 and 5,000rpm, a significant increase from the previous 715bhp. The additional power comes from modifications to the ignition and air passages, as well as a significant increase in boost pressure (up to 7%).
The V12 engine is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission that has been fine-tuned for quicker gear shifts, and sends power to the rear axle's differential. Although it is no faster than the regular DBS Volante, with a 0-62mph time of 3.6 seconds, that's still quite rapid for a vehicle of this stature.
The Ultimate Volante now features all of the external updates that were previously seen on the Ultimate Coupe, including "horse-shoe" hood vents, a new front splitter, a new rear diffuser, and a significant amount of carbon fiber. Interestingly, it features the regular DBS Volante's brakes, despite hiding behind the 21-inch wheels, because Aston Martin believes they are already sufficient. In addition, several internal changes have been made, including adjustments to the steering, front-end stiffness, and adaptive dampers.
"Marking the end of production for an iconic model generation requires something special," said Roberto Fedeli, Aston Martin's technical chief. "The Ultimate Volante is not only the fastest and most powerful DBS in our history, but it is also the best to drive due to a comprehensive set of upgrades to the transmission, steering, suspension, and underbody structure."