The Aston Martin DB11 is a newer and better sports car in just about every way, but the Vanquish remains the supreme ruler of Aston Martin’s lineup. The sharper and more powerful Vanquish S stepped out from behind the curtain in November, and we loved the improvements and its unmatched style when we drove it. But Aston felt the urge to click the enhance button one more time, and the result is the most expensive and possibly most exclusive Gaydon-born car available, the 2018 Vanquish S Volante.
We’ve known about the convertible since the announcement of the Vanquish S, but these are the first photos Aston Martin has released. Priced at $315,775, $18,000 more than the coupe, the Vanquish S Volante is powered by the same 5.9-liter V-12 engine linked to a eight-speed Touchtronic III automatic transmission that is supposed to be smoother and quicker than in previous years. The most notable power improvements to the base 568-hp Vanquish are quad exhaust tips and revised inlet manifolds for better airflow. The U.S. model makes 580 horsepower at 7000 rpm and 465 lb-ft of torque at 5500 rpm; Europe gets a 595-hp version. Aston has not released estimates for top speeds or acceleration times for the S Volante.
Like the coupe, the S Volante has new aero design elements, including a carbon-fiber front splitter, rear diffuser, and side skirts. Keeping the car at a curb weight of less than 4000 pounds is a body structure made of aluminum and carbon fiber, along wi...