2005 Aston Martin DB9 Volante Preview

Aston Martin is introducing new models and concepts at a record pace lately, with the DB9 having just been announced a few short months ago at the Frankfurt motor show. Hardly a surprise, a DB9 drop top will follow the coupe filling the void left by the outgoing DB7 convertible.

Filling the void left by the outgoing DB7 Volante, Aston Martin's DB9 drop top will be introduced at the Detroit auto show in January. (Photo: Aston Martin)

Set to debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit during the first week of January 2004, the DB9 Volante (convertible in Aston Martin speak) looks every bit as enticing as its hardtop sibling. Sports car aficionados will have no difficulties placing its heritage, at least from its front where the brand's trademark frowning grille is even larger than the outgoing DB7. The DB9's lines are cleaner overall too, gracefully integrating larger headlamp clusters into curvaceous front fenders that flow rearward into soft shoulder lines with one fluid movement, bypassing classic engine vents just aft of the front wheel cutouts as they make there way back to a much improved rear end design.

Sports car aficionados will have no difficulties placing the DB9's heritage, at least from its front where the brand's trademark frowning grille is even larger than the outgoing DB7 shown here. Also, this photo shows the bundled drop top that now gets hidden by a flush mounted tonneau. (Photo: Aston Martin)

Just like the coupe, the convertible benefits from the distinctive taillight treatment first shown on the AMV8 Vantage that debuted in Detroit last year, a wonderful yet radical progression from the somewhat generic rear lamps of the DB7. A subtle Kamm-type rear decklid directs air overtop and beyond the car while providing some aerodynamic downforce. No matter what angle I look at it, the new DB9 Volante is simply gorgeous.

It makes sense that Aston Martin's CEO, Dr. Ulrich Bez, would agree. During the Volante's introduction he stated, "The DB9 Volante has all of the traditional styling cues you'd expect from a convertible Aston Martin. It's very elegant and perfectly proportioned from every angle, while subtle embellishments help create a powerful-looking sports car." 2005 Aston Martin DB9 Volante Preview from (http://www.auto123.com/en/car-reviews/new/2005-aston-martin-db9-volante-preview?artid=19105)