Spied! Aston Martin DB11 Volante Shows off Sleek Drop-Top Profile

Since last year, Aston Martin has teased the upcoming DB11 Volante, the first drop-top in the brand’s all-new lineup. Now, after months of hearing nothing about the forthcoming super convertible, our spy photographers caught the car testing at every manufacturer’s favorite test facility, the Nürburgring.

Likely powered by the same all-new 5.2-liter twin-turbocharged V-12 from the traditional DB11, the DB11 Volante isn’t expected to stray too far from the standard car’s 600-hp rating. And it’s also expected to keep the superb eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox. What is expected to change is the car’s weight, as a power retractable soft top will likely add bulk to the already hefty automobile.

However, that additional weight likely won’t see anyone shrinking away from the drop-top since chopping off the roof gets the driver and passengers closer to the Aston Martin’s V-12 concerto. Definitely a plus as the addition of turbochargers has slightly muffled the glorious noise previous Aston Martins were known for.

After the debut of the DB11 Volante, Aston Martin will debut twin-turbocharged V-8 entry-level coupe and convertible versions to finish up the DB11 lineup. These new twin-turbocharged V-8 engines will be sourced from Mercedes-AMG, which signed a technical partnership with Aston.

While we still don’t know what exactly Mercedes-AMG will be giving to Aston Martin, the prevailing theory is that it will likely be some version of the brand’s now ubiquitous twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 found in the E63, C63, AMG GT S, and other AMG vehicles.

When first teased, Aston Martin stated that we wouldn’t see the production version of the DB11 Volante until the spring of 2018. In these latest spy pictures, although it seems that the development of the car is progressing at a rapid pace, the side of the DB11 Volante mule still bears the same “Opening Spring 2018” decal.

Until then, take a look at the drop-top DB11 in the spy shots below.

Photo source: CarPix

The post Spied! Aston Martin DB11 Volante Shows off Sleek Drop-Top Profile appeared first on Motor Trend.

from Motor Trend http://ift.tt/2qumePA