2024 Aston Martin DB12 Volante First Drive: Make Up Your Mind, Aston
The phenomenal new DB12 convertible blurs the line between exotic GT and supercar, but to what end?
The new drop-top version of Aston Martin’s flagship DB12 is stupendous: Fast, loud, agile, and so beautiful it will make your soul ache. It is, in every sense of the overused word, an awesome car.
Now that we have that out of the way, we can tell you the one thing that’s arguably wrong with it.
Now that we have that out of the way, we can tell you the one thing that’s arguably wrong with it.
Britain Targets Italy
What’s “wrong” with the 2024 Aston Martin DB12 Volante may well stem from a shift in Aston Martin’s direction. The company no longer wishes to be seen as a competitor for Germanic Brits Rolls-Royce and Bentley; instead, it has set its sights southeast to Italy. New targets acquired: the supercars of Ferrari and Lamborghini. This seems to explain the biggest potential problem with the DB12 Volante, which is its rock-hard ride.
Now, one of the things that makes the DB12 so stupendously awesome is that it puts that rock-hard ride to excellent use. The purpose of a stiff suspension is to keep the tires firmly on the ground so they don’t lose traction, and holy hell does the new DB12 Volante do that.
We can tell a lot about a car by where the manufacturer takes us to drive it. If the press preview is on the arrow-straight roads of Miami, you can bet the suspension sucks. If it’s in Phoenix, where there are still a couple of curves left over from World War II, it’s not much better.
Aston had us pick up the DB12 in Santa Monica, California, and directed us to go west on Pacific Coast Highway, then turn up into the hills above Malibu, where some of the best twisty roads in the country are there to be mastered. “You know the roads,” we were told. “Go where you want. Be back in three hours and try not to bend up the cars.” Point being: Any PR pro worth the salt in their own tears only turns car critics like us loose on roads like that if they know their car is going to perform.
And perform the DB12 Volante did. With 671 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque on tap from the 4.0-liter, twin-turbo V-8—basically the same mill found in the DBX 707—your choice of gear in the ZF eight-speed automatic is irrelevant. There is no sweet spot, no noticeable turbo lag; there is only power, raw and brutish, the force-times-distance analog to freshly killed red meat.
We chose to use the paddle shifters only because accessing the upper rev band releases an almighty bellow that is a wonder to experience. Praise be to the chorus of trombones and tubas apparently hidden away in the DB12’s back bumper—and when do those guys and gals take a breath?
Stealth Speeding in the Aston Martin DB12 Volante
That’s not to say the transmission’s Sport program isn’t good enough. (Though if Aston is serious about this Lambo/Ferrari thing, it should think about a twin-clutch transmission. Full-throttle shifts from the ZF eight-speed automatic are harsh.) Like all good transmissions, it does not downshift until the accelerator pedal moves at least some distance from the top of its travel, and doing so unleashes speed that builds quickly into license-losing (and, on Malibu’s curvy roads, Aston- and life-losing) range. You can make remarkably quick progress with the accelerator merely cracked and the engine loafing just above idle.
It is during this speeding, be it stealthy or bellowy, that you appreciate the benefits of that solid-riding suspension. As the Aston PR rep said, we know these roads, and we know where to find the bumpy curves that will try to loosen a car’s grip on the pavement and divert it from its intended path. Not in the DB12. When it sets its mind to keep its tires on the ground, nothing short of God driving a Liebherr crane could reduce those contact patches.
But Wait, There’s More?
But here’s The Thing: We observed this classically good racing behavior even before we engaged the 2024 Aston Martin DB12 Volante’s Sport mode. In its softest setting, labelled GT, this Aston will still hand most performance cars their own rear diffusers on a 24-karat-gold platter. Turning the drive-mode dial to Sport merely increases the speed necessary to break the tires loose, from suicidal to homicidal. Sport Plus ups that further to genocidal.
This is not necessarily a bad thing—it bodes well for the DB12 Volante’s performance on a track, though you would think the coupe is better suited to that environment—but while the chassis setup and engine power are that of a supercar, the rest of the convertible is a grand tourer.
Well, everything except the brakes, which have solid bite and a firm feel like classic non-assisted performance binders. Don’t change that, Aston, whatever you do. But take, say, the steering, which is delightful. The DB12 tracks as straight as the proverbial arrow, and yet it takes inputs perfectly, responding instantly but not suddenly. The DB12 runs through the curves as if by telepathy, and as wide as the car is, it feels tidy and easy to place. This is not the hyper-responsive steering of a supercar; it’s the balanced, no-compromise steering of a magnificent GT.
Traditional Luxury and New Infotainment
Same for the interior. No one does elegance like the Brits, and the DB12 is an inebriating mix of thick-cut leather and open-pore wood. The control layout needs no improvement: In an age where some automakers use too many buttons and others don’t use enough, Aston strikes a good balance, particularly for the important stuff. To wit: There are multiple ways to fine-tune the driving experience, with hard buttons for the three-mode suspension and three-mode exhaust. All that said, we could take a pass on the Porsche-style toggle shifter in the center console: It’s possible, and not too difficult, for an errant passenger to knock the transmission into neutral.
This is as good a time as any to mention one of Aston’s proudest achievements: its first in-house-designed infotainment system. It’s an improvement over the Mercedes-based systems used in other Aston Martins, in the same sense that being served a caramel sundae is an improvement over being hit in the head with a potted plant. Aston was still debugging the system on the pre-production cars we drove, but for the most part it looked good, with crisp graphics and an excellent camera display, though some of the icons were small and difficult to press while on the (very rapid) move, even for folks with dainty fingers. Sound from the 11-speaker Bower & Wilkins stereo was as beautiful as the DB12 itself, with deep bass and crisp treble, though we did wish for a little more volume with the top down.
Speaking of which, we were amazed by how quiet the 2024 Aston Martin DB12 Volante is with the top up. Certainly, the double-pane glass helps, but the roof is so thick it’s difficult to believe it’s made of fabric rather than metal. Also, we were amazed anyone would ever want to put the top up in this car. Such people don’t deserve a DB12 Volante! (And no, we don’t care if it’s winter. The car has a heater, you lightweight. Rain? Drive fast enough and water will never make it into the car. Hmmm, maybe we’re starting to get this hardcore thing, after all.)
What Does the DB12 Volante Want to Be?
Looks, décor, steering, brakes, luxury, and the whole top-down experience: The Aston Martin DB12 Volante could be the perfect grand tourer … except for the ride.
Don’t get us wrong; we don’t want it to float like a 1976 Buick. But Aston could re-tune the car so its existing GT mode is the Sport Plus mode, and you’d still have one hell of a scorcher. The hard-on-the-pavement persona is better suited to the smaller, lighter Vantage—not that the DB12 demonstrates any sign it’s aware of its own size and weight, mind you. Still, we imagine most people buy the bigger and more-expensive DB12 for maximum comfort and opulence, not track performance.
It’s easy to understand why Aston Martin wants to distance itself from Rolls-Royce—the latter’s idea of performance is a living room on stiff shocks—but what’s wrong with the way Bentley does things? Bentley builds what an earlier age would call the gentleman’s sports car: Luxury and speed with an undertone of civility. That is the type of automobile the DB12 Volante feels like it should be, or easily could be.
Still, We Love You Just the Way You Are
Most Lamborghinis and Ferraris, and McLarens for that matter, deliver raw speed at the expense of all else. The high-end Lambo Huracáns feel like they run on a mixture of gasoline and caffeine, with the turbochargers blowing toots of cocaine into the intake, while the Ferrari 812 and McLaren 765LT feel light-weighted to the point of fragility (arguably true in the case of McLaren). Sure, Aston Martin could build a car like that, but snuggle into the DB12’s soft leather seats and it’s obvious the thing’s heart isn’t quite in it. (Also, the current crop of Ferraris don’t ride quite this hard.)
Regardless, yes, the new DB12 Volante is an awesome vehicle and one that truly inspires awe in every way possible. Fifty years from now, you will see it in car museums, and deservedly so. Still, we imagine making the car less hardcore would only improve it for most of the real people who ever drive it. A little more compliance could make the drop-top DB12 the star of the stable, an opulent supercar that any self-respecting HNWI would want to drive every day—and certainly worth leaving the 812 and the Huracán at home.
| 2024 Aston Martin DB12 Volante Specifications | |
| BASE PRICE | $268,400 |
| LAYOUT | Front-engine, RWD, 2-pass, 2-door convertible |
| ENGINE | 4.0L/671hp/590-lb-ft twin-turbo DOHC 32-valve V-8 |
| TRANSMISSION | 8-speed auto |
| CURB WEIGHT | 4,100 lb (est) |
| WHEELBASE | 110.4 in |
| L x W x H | 186.0 x 84.1 x 51.0 in |
| 0-60 MPH | 3.6 sec (mfr est) |
| EPA CITY/HWY/COMB FUEL ECON | 15/22/17 mpg (est) |
| EPA RANGE, COMB | 357 miles |
| ON SALE | Spring 2024 |
Aaron Gold
After a two-decade career as a freelance writer, Aaron Gold joined MotorTrend’s sister publication Automobile in 2018 before moving to the MT staff in 2021. Aaron is a native New Yorker who now lives in Los Angeles with his spouse, too many pets, and a cantankerous 1983 GMC Suburban.
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2026 Aston Martin Lineup: Upgrades to the Vantage, DBX, and More
New convertibles and performance variants strengthen the model range.Billy RehbockWriter
ManufacturerPhotographerRyan LugoIllustrator
Aug 14, 2025
Aston Martin is waging the most aggressive product onslaught of its 112-year existence, and the efforts appear to be paying off. We’ve raved about the gorgeous styling and stunning driving dynamics of its latest models without exception. In fact, the most recent incarnations of the DB12, DBX, Vantage, and Vanquish have all found favor with our editorial staff.
As the British luxury marque enters the 2026 model year, new performance variants and convertibles bolster what is already a compelling model range. Read on for every change that’s arrived for the 2026 Aston Martin lineup.
2026 Aston Martin Vantage
After refreshing the Vantage with major upgrades for 2025, Aston Martin returns with a new 2026 Vantage Roadster. The convertible makes use of the same bonded and extruded aluminum chassis as the updated coupe, which is about 5 percent stiffer compared to the previous-gen Vantage.
The 2026 Vantage’s 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V-8 now produces 656 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque, up from 503 hp and 505 lb-ft in the Vantage Roadster’s prior incarnation. The powertrain and suspension benefit from extensive adjustments as part of the refresh.
The Vantage Roadster’s exterior has been reworked with a larger grille, updated headlights, and more vents. Inside the cabin, there’s a new layout and improved technology including Apple CarPlay Ultra.
Aston Martin doesn’t stop there, however. The British automaker introduces a new Vantage S for 2026, with output increased to 671 hp. Available as a coupe or a Roadster, the Vantage S is still RWD and uses an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Aston Martin claims a 0–60-mph time of just 3.3 seconds, 0.4 seconds quicker than the standard model. In our testing, the non-S Vantage coupe only needed 3.4 seconds to get the job done, so we expect the Vantage S to be a smidge quicker than what Aston claims. What we don’t doubt is the 202-mph top speed.
Befitting the high-performance Vantage’s S badge, Aston Martin makes an electronic limited-slip differential standard along with a launch control function. Naturally, the Vantage S receives updated suspension with Bilstein DTX adaptive dampers. The sports car is also equipped with new powertrain mounts, and its subframe has been directly mounted to the chassis.
You can tell the Vantage S from the regular Vantage thanks to functional hood blades, “S” badging, and a new rear spoiler with an additional 97 pounds of downforce at V-max. The 2026 Vantage S rolls on 21-inch wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport S 5 AMLs. Stopping power comes courtesy of 16-inch front and 14.2-inch rear steel rotors.
Inside the cabin, there’s Alcantara and leather interior surfaces and satin 2×2 twill carbon-fiber trim.
Read Our Experts’ Full Aston Martin Vantage Review
2026 Aston Martin DB12
The core 2026 Aston Martin DB12 is a complete carryover for the new model year.
Although it hasn’t yet been announced, a DB12 S could join the lineup with similar upgrades to the Vantage S. That would mean extra power, revised suspension, beefed-up brakes, and cosmetic tweaks. Aston Martin would also likely fit unique aero accents to improve downforce and stability.
Read Our Experts’ Full Aston Martin DB12 Review
2026 Aston Martin DBX
For 2023, Aston Martin introduced the DBX 707 as the upgraded—and only—version of its super SUV. Now the 2026 Aston Martin DBX S joins the lineup alongside its now-standard stablemate as the high-performance version of an already high-performance utility vehicle.
Aston Martin massages the 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V-8 engine to 717 hp with the help of larger-diameter turbo compressors, although torque remains the same at 664 lb-ft. The result of these improvements is a manufacturer-claimed 0-60-mph time of 3.0 seconds and a top speed of 193 mph.
Appropriately, Aston Martin outfits the DBX S with a recalibrated version of the AMG nine-speed wet-clutch transmission with adjusted upshift points that account for the engine’s heightened power and torque peaks. Additionally, the transmission has been altered to downshift more aggressively in Sport and Sport+ modes.
The DBX S carries over the 707’s suspension improvements from the 2025 model year, but its steering ratio has been quickened by 4 percent to improve agility and responsiveness while shortening the turning circle.
Those who intend to drive their 2026 Aston Martin DBX S to the limit can option a carbon-fiber roof, 23-inch magnesium wheels, carbon-fiber side sills, a carbon-fiber bumper, a carbon-fiber diffuser, a carbon-fiber wing, and a lightweight polycarbonate honeycomb grille to drop the SUV’s weight by 104 pounds compared to the DBX 707.
Aston Martin decks out the DBX S with “S” fender badges and accessorizes the rear with stacked dual exhaust outlets on either side, complemented by a redesigned rear bumper and a reprofiled diffuser. The cabin gets standard Alcantara trim with the option of a full semi-aniline leather interior and red seat belts. Aston Martin’s “S” logos are embroidered into the seats while the Aston Martin wings are both embossed and debossed (pressed into the surface versus popping out with embossing) onto the chairs. To further differentiate the DBX S from the 707, there are “S” logos on the engine cover and door sill plates.
Read Our Experts’ Full Aston Martin DBX Review
2026 Aston Martin Vanquish
Aston Martin marks the 60th anniversary of its Volante convertibles with a drop-top version of the astonishingly pretty Vanquish super grand tourer. Like the coupe, the 2026 Aston Martin Vanquish Volante receives a 5.2-liter twin-turbocharged V-12 engine developing 824 hp and 738 lb-ft of torque and an eight-speed automatic driving the rear wheels.
The Vanquish Volante rides on Bilstein DTX dampers and makes use of an electronic rear differential. The 21-inch wheels are equipped with a model-specific Pirelli P Zero tire. Inside the cabin, there are dual 10.3-inch infotainment and digital cluster displays that make use of Apple CarPlay Ultra.
Specific to the Vanquish Volante is a K-fold roof, which can close in 16 seconds and open in 14 seconds. It stacks to a height of just 10.2 inches, helping to maintain the convertible’s lithe figure. The top can be operated at speeds of up to 31 mph. You can also remotely deploy or retract the roof with the key fob at a range of about 7 feet.
Total production of Vanquish coupes and convertibles is 1,000 units per year, so those enticed by the Volante’s stunning proportions should express interest at their earliest convenience.
Read Our Experts’ Full Aston Martin Vanquish Review
2026 Aston Martin Valhalla
The 2026 Aston Martin Valhalla will finally be ready for production in the second half of 2025. The supercar, with its carbon-fiber chassis and F1-derived aerodynamics, has made its first public appearance during a showcase ahead of this year’s Monaco Formula One Grand Prix.
There are many details to pique the interest of car enthusiasts, including a midship 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V-8 engine from Mercedes-AMG, albeit this one uses a flat-plane crank in true exotic fashion. The Valhalla is Aston Martin’s first plug-in hybrid and uses a pair of bespoke radial-flux permanent-magnet motors powering the front wheels. A third motor is integrated into the eight-speed dual-clutch automatic.
Output totals 1,064 hp and 811 lb-ft of torque, which Aston Martin claims is good for a 0–60-mph sprint quicker than 2.5 seconds. Top speed should reach an F1-adjacent 217 mph. In EV mode, the Valhalla can drive about 9 miles using the front motors at speeds up to 80 mph.
Only 999 units are slated for production, assuring the 2026 Aston Martin Valhalla will be a rare supercar. Get the full specifications in our First Look review.
2026 Aston Martin Lineup
- 2026 Aston Martin Vantage: Significant update
- 2026 Aston Martin DB12: Unchanged
- 2026 Aston Martin DBX: Significant update
- 2026 Aston Martin Vanquish: Significant update
- 2026 Aston Martin Valhalla: All-new model
