Hire Aston Martin DB12 Volante UK
Body
class: grand touring convertible (super tourer) body style: 2-door convertible (electrically operated fabric roof) seating: 2+2 (4 seats) layout: front-engine, rear-wheel drive
Engine
engine: 4.0l m177 twin-turbo v8 power: 671bhp (680ps / 500kw) @ 6,000rpm torque: 800nm @ 2,000-5,500rpm 0-62mph: 3.5 seconds top speed: 198mph (roof raised)
Transmission
transmission: 8-speed automatic (zf) drive: rear-wheel drive
Dimensions
wheelbase: 2,704mm length: 4,725mm width (excl. mirrors): 2,060mm height: 1,306mm (roof raised) kerb weight: 1,845kg (approx.)
Hire an Aston Martin DB12 Volante in the UK
The Aston Martin DB12 Volante is the open-top convertible version of the DB12 Super Tourer, sharing the same 4.0 litre M177 twin-turbo V8 engine producing 671HP and 800Nm of torque, the same 8-speed ZF automatic gearbox and the same rear-wheel drive chassis as the coupe. The Volante name has been used by Aston Martin for its open-top models since the 1960s. The DB12 Volante uses an electrically operated triple-layer fabric roof that opens in 14 seconds at speeds up to 31mph. The triple-layer construction includes an acoustic inner liner that Aston Martin states brings wind and road noise to within 2dB of the coupe with the roof raised. With the roof up the Volante reaches 198mph — 4mph less than the coupe at 202mph — as a result of the slightly different aerodynamic profile created by the fabric roof versus the coupe’s fixed carbon fibre panel. With the roof raised for a motorway journey, the acoustic difference between the Volante and the coupe is imperceptible in ordinary use. The Volante weighs approximately 1,845kg, around 85kg more than the coupe, due to the roof mechanism and the additional structural reinforcement built into the chassis to compensate for the removal of the fixed roof’s contribution to overall stiffness.
DB12 Volante vs DB12 coupe – which one?
The DB12 coupe and the DB12 Volante use the same 671HP engine and the same gearbox. The coupe is 85kg lighter, reaches 202mph versus 198mph, and has a marginally stiffer body due to the fixed carbon fibre roof. The Volante provides open-air driving at the full 671HP output, a fabric roof that operates at up to 31mph, and a triple-layer acoustic liner that makes it quieter than most convertibles with the roof raised. For UK summer driving with the roof down the Volante provides a specific experience that no fixed-roof car can replicate. For drivers who want to use the car primarily with the roof raised, the coupe’s stiffer body and slightly higher top speed are marginal advantages. The choice is straightforward: open-air or not.
Hire Aston Martin DB12 Volante Self Drive Luxury Car Today
The DB12 Volante interior and roof operation
The Volante retains the full DB12 interior specification including the Bridge of Weir leather, the Bowers and Wilkins 15-speaker audio system calibrated for the DB12 cabin, and the 10.25-inch in-house touchscreen. With the roof down the audio system has been tuned specifically for open-air use, with different equalisation settings activated automatically when the hood is lowered to compensate for the change in acoustic environment. The roof folds into a compartment behind the rear seats when lowered and does not significantly reduce luggage capacity — the boot holds 208 litres with the roof down versus 270 litres in the coupe. The electronic rear differential, the five drive modes and the adaptive suspension system are carried over from the coupe without modification.
The DB12 Volante on UK roads
The DB12 Volante covers UK roads in exactly the same way as the DB12 coupe with one additional dimension: when conditions are suitable, the roof can be lowered at speed and the full 671HP V8 is available open to the sky. The active exhaust system’s Sport and Sport Plus modes produce a substantially different character open-top than in the coupe — the separation from the cabin structure means the exhaust note is more immediate and less filtered. On a clear day on an open UK A-road with the roof down and the exhaust in Sport mode, the DB12 Volante provides an experience that justifies its premium over the coupe. On a wet motorway with the roof raised and the car in GT mode, it is composed, refined and acoustically close to the coupe. The car works on both kinds of day, which is the specific capability that makes a high-quality grand touring convertible worth choosing over a fixed-roof car.
// FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to hire an Aston Martin DB12 Volante in the UK?
Self-drive Aston Martin DB12 Volante hire starts from £1,100 per day with Starr Luxury Cars. Contact our team for weekend and weekly rates.
How does the DB12 Volante roof work?
The DB12 Volante has an electrically operated triple-layer fabric roof that opens or closes in 14 seconds at speeds up to 31mph. The triple-layer construction includes an acoustic inner liner that reduces wind and road noise to within 2dB of the DB12 coupe with the roof raised. The roof can be operated from the driver’s seat or from outside the car using the key fob.
What is the difference between the DB12 Volante and the DB12 coupe?
The DB12 Volante has an electrically operated fabric roof and weighs approximately 1,845kg – around 85kg more than the coupe at 1,760kg. The coupe reaches 202mph versus 198mph for the Volante with the roof raised. Both use the same 671HP 4.0-litre twin turbo V8 and 8-speed ZF automatic. The choice is open air driving versus the slightly stiffer, lighter fixed-roof coupe.
How fast is the Aston Martin DB12 Volante?
The DB12 Volante reaches 62mph in 3.5 seconds and has a top speed of 198mph with the roof raised. Power comes from the same 4.0-litre M177 twin-turbo V8 as the coupe, producing 671HP and 800Nm of torque through an 8-speed ZF automatic gearbox.
Can you deliver the Aston Martin DB12 Volante to my location?
Yes. We deliver to any UK address including London Mayfair, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh and all major airports including Heathrow, Gatwick and Farnborough.