ASTON MARTIN DB9 Volante 2010-2012 Photos, engines & full specs

Aston Martin heavily improved the open-top version of the DB9 in 2010, seven years after the model introduction, and first after the split from Ford Motor Company.

Designed to compete on the GT market, the DB9 and its open-top companion, the DB9 Volante, came on the market in 2003, and the original design belonged to Ian Callum and Henrik Fisker. In 2007, a consortium led by David Richards bought Aston Martin from Ford. Richards was Prodrive's CEO, a small company specialized in motorsport. He managed to improve and promote the company in unusual methods. In the end, the DB9 was the best-selling Aston Martin of all times to that date.

The refreshed DB9 Volante showed minimal differences when compared to the 2003 model. At the front, Marek Reichman (the new designer) covered the front lower grille and side scoops with a hexagonal mesh. In the back, he also changed the red taillights with clear-lenses ones. The DB9 Volante kept its retractable hood since it was one of the fastest on the market. The driver could retract the rag-top in a mere 17 seconds.

Inside, the most significant change was on the lower side of the center stack. Aston Martin installed a new phone connection in the center console for better live-stream music.

But the most significant changes were on the technical side. While the 2003 version featured a soft suspension that spoiled the driving pleasure, the 2010 model came fitted with an adaptive system. Aston Martin installed a new six-speed automatic transmission for the drivetrain as an option, which provided similar performances as the manual version. Moreover, the British car manufacturer managed to get the DB9 Volante within the Euro 5 limits and lowered its emission while keeping the same power.