Tuesday 9th August 2005

Aston V8 Volante is on its way

Drop-top version of gorgeous coupe due in '07

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Drop-top to be little heavier than this

Following a well-trodden path, Aston Martin is set to launch the V8 Volante -- a drop-top version of a car dubbed "the 911-killer", and which many commentators see as the best-looking car on sale. The Volante -- Aston's traditional name for its convertibles -- is currently being engineered for production and is due on sale in 2007, according to a report in Autocar.

The canvas roof will fold flat under a hard hinged cover and will look speedster-ish, even though the windscreen isn't cut down, with the roof providing a lower line than that of the coupé's hard-top.

Stiffened of course, it weighs just 30Kg more than the coupé, which is impressive and performance shouldn't suffer much if at all. The main problem Aston has often had is ensuring the body is stiff enough, as criticisms of the DB9 Volante have centred round its alleged body flexing.

Meanwhile, buyers of the V8 Vantage over on the Aston Martin Owners Club forum are complaining loud and long about delays in delivery of the coupés, the first of which was due to start very soon but which may not happen until November.

[gangstatom]

What a Bute!
I'd Give it a good home.... and a beter paint job.

[kryten22uk]

anyone know how long the LOI are for these things by now?

[manek]

One person on the AMOC forum said he's been quoted early 2006 for delivery which I thought was optimistic.

[shadytree]

Spoke to AML this morning. My Sept delivery for the hardtpp is now looking more like Jan.
Sounds like the same sort of delays I had with the '9'.

I wouldn't expect to see a Volante V8 before at least Summer 07

[dazren]

shadytree said:

Spoke to AML this morning. My Sept delivery for the hardtpp is now looking more like Jan. Sounds like the same sort of delays I had with the '9'.

WTF are they playing at? Giving the cars to sports types and media luvvies first? I do hope that orrible little man near your manor is having his delivery delayed by 4 months as well.

DAZ

[shadytree]

dazren said:

shadytree said: Spoke to AML this morning. My Sept delivery for the hardtpp is now looking more like Jan. Sounds like the same sort of delays I had with the '9'. WTF are they playing at? Giving the cars to sports types and media luvvies first? I do hope that orrible little man near your manor is having his delivery delayed by 4 months as well. DAZ

You wouldn't be talking about RICH would you
It maybe sooner than Jan (hopefully), but I'm an expeirienced AML owner and know how they operate. I don't count my chicken before they're hatched

[Krusty]

shadytree said:

Jan.

Are you going to hang onto the 9 a little longer now then?

[dazren]

On a serious note though, will this setback delay your planned disposal of the DB9? It would be great if yourself and Rich both had your V8s fully run in and ready for one of the Hoons next year.

DAZ

[elfboy]

The V8 Vantage and Volante are soooo much more better looking than the (what looks like) a vanquish that has been stretched called the DB9.

Does anyone else think the V8 looks...er...cute?

[shadytree]

dazren said:

On a serious note though, will this setback delay your planned disposal of the DB9? It would be great if yourself and Rich both had your V8s fully run in and ready for one of the Hoons next year. DAZ

The '9's departure has been delayed and I will be on the Hoon next year for definite. Any ideas on destination yet Daz ?

[Podie]

[Twin Turbo]

Never mind the posey Volante version, when's the GT/S/Vantage version coming?

[FestivAli]

Anyone driven a DB9 coupe and volante against each other? I blatantly haven't, but I've read (gotta be careful here, got slammed last time I referred to an article as a source of evidence) that it's sloppy in comparison with the coupe, and thus should be left for the posers. Hope the same doesn't happen with the V8.

(got a model of a DB9 volante in my room - only Aston I think I'll own)

[Hot racer]

I still think the wheels are appalling, the prototypes were much better.

[lap_time]

G.O.R.G.E.O.U.S

[rich1231]

dazren said:

shadytree said: Spoke to AML this morning. My Sept delivery for the hardtpp is now looking more like Jan. Sounds like the same sort of delays I had with the '9'. WTF are they playing at? Giving the cars to sports types and media luvvies first? I do hope that orrible little man near your manor is having his delivery delayed by 4 months as well. DAZ

Somehow this orrible man didnt notice this post!
Daz Im hurt :-))

Ive a November Build car, end of Nov Early Dec Delivery mentioned by dealer. If I get mine before shady by amonth or so ill take it. If its a few days ill hold off picking it up until the moment he has his. See Im a nice bloke.

[dazren]

Being serious a minute Rich, if the car is coming in early/mid December, is it not worth waiting and registerring it on Jan 1 for later resale? We're in a similar situation with a new ML merc and we'll probably let the garage sit on it for a few weeks.

DAZ

BTW you two clowns gettign your cars would be a good excuse for a Southend massif

[rich1231]

Us Clowns will be not allowing any Midlandic or Northeren riff raff into our Circus thank you very much :-)

Good idea though Daz.

To be honest some days i get excited about the car, the next i know im gonna think its slow straight line speed annoy me. Whereas Shadypants eats and breathes Aston so is easier to please :-)

Add to that he must be simple, who would spec a black one eh?

[shadytree]

dazren said:

BTW you two clowns gettign your cars would be a good excuse for a Southend massif