And so at the first Motor Show of 2004, at Detroit
and AM
introduced the DB9 Volante, intended to be available for sale by early 2005.
The really neat thing
about the VH platform it is so strong and adaptable, that open versions
of the cars are engineered at the same time as their closed brothers. Thus, for
it's time, the DB9 Volante became the most structurally rigid and therefore best handling
convertible ever.
The Volante shares exactly the same engine as the coupe.
Performance is very close to that of the coupe as the open car weighs
only about 100kg more at 1810kg - so 0-60 comes up in 4.9 seconds and the
Volante tops out at 186 mph.
The electrically folding roof of the DB9 Volante is of the
standard cloth type - the current fashion for a folding steel roof hasn't been
followed as it would eat greatly into the boot space. Indeed the Volante retains
rear seats and has exactly as much boot space as the coupe. But unlike all other
Volantes before, the roof folds straight neatly under a hard tonneau cover in
just 17 seconds. In the event of a potential roll-over, hoops are deployed from
the rear head restraints. If the roof is erected at the time - the hoops will
'punch' through the rear window glass.
Recently, Volante
versions have accounted for almost half of total production and this has
continued with the DB9. Production of the Volante
It is anticipated that it will be built at the rate of around 1000 per year.
The anticipated price at introduction will be in the region of £110,000. to
£115,000. Volante production, which began in January 2005,
is around 1000 units a year.
Many of these photos were taken at the European debut of the Volante at
the Geneva Salon, March 2004. This particular example shows the unusual new
Bamboo wood interior which is perhaps a better option in the open car. The
remaining pictures of the green car were taken at the same show the following
year; this car features the desirable 15 spoke wheel option
