2008 Aston Martin DB9 Volante

Aston Martin launched its DB9 Volante - a convertible version of the DB9 grand tourer - at the 2004 Detroit Motor Show. It was the sixth new car from the company in less than two and a half years.

Like the DB9 Coupe, power for the Volante is supplied by Aston Martin's low emissions, all-alloy, 48-valve, 5.9-liter, V12 engine. Like the DB9 Coupe it is offered with a six-speed manual or a six-speed automated manual transmission.

For 2008, the DB9 coupe and Volante received a slight makeover to stay fresh in an increasingly competitive marketplace. Under the hood, both cars received a 20 horsepower bump and a similar hike in torque production, for totals of 470 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 443 lb-ft at 5,000 rpm, respectively. At the same time, the six-speed automated manual with a computer controlled clutch has been reprogrammed to allow it to shift faster. These changes combine to make the cars three-tenths of a second quicker in the 0 to 60 mph sprint, while the six-speed manual cars are a tenth quicker thanks only to the power hike.

In addition to the straight-line performance, handling is improved thanks to Bilstein shocks, new suspension arms and bushings. While the coupe's suspension is tuned more aggressively, the Volante's has been softened in accordance with its boulevardier mission. The drop-top also benefits from a 10 percent stiffer structure on account of a revised front shear panel.

All freshened DB9s are identified by a new 19-inch wheel design, door mirrors and anodized aluminum grille. Detail changes inside the cockpit complete the upgrades.

The cost of all these upgrades is reflected in slightly higher purchase prices, up by nearly $6,000.

Dr. Ulrich Bez, CEO of Aston Martin said: "From the outset of the DB9 program we knew we wanted a convertible model. So the Volante has been designed, engineered and built from the outset as a convertible - it's not a Coupe with just the top taken off."

"The DB9 Volante has all of the traditional styling cues you'd expect from a convertible Aston Martin. It's very elegant and perfectly proportioned from every angle, while subtle embellishments help create a powerful-looking sports car."

"I wanted to ensure that the DB9 Volante was unmistakably an Aston Martin, but it had to retain all of the values of a convertible. Even with the hood raised it had to look beautiful," said designer Henrik Fisker.