The 2017 Aston Martin Vanquish Volante
Weather forecasters are always right 40 percent of the time. El Nino came and went with one of the driest years to date. Then followed by La Nina, one of the wettest seasons in seven years. Just to be clear, this is the exact opposite of predicted. As Southern Californians we like our news now, correct and always sunny.
The Aston Martin Vanquish Volante is 80 degrees, sunny with zero chance of rain. Always. As the weather clears and spring approaches, at the wheel of the Volante is the place you’ll want to be to hit the open road. Rare California rain will be the only reason the Volante will not be flying. In the garage the Aston is an epic statement of art and sophistication for any gentleman interested in bespoke design. The dramatic impact of this vehicle comes from its design language. It is low- slung with perfect body proportions at every angle. I can imagine the designer in his studio, sleeves rolled up, lost in a song in his head, hands stained with clay, and laying down the cars lines as if he was conducting a symphony. There will always be lighter, faster cars with higher horsepower numbers, cars that strictly fight the horsepower and 0-60 war. The Vanquish Volante will have no part in that. It is a naturally aspirated 6.0 V12 super GT that is poised enough to tour the town at low speeds without beating up your date while talking about dinner reservations. I would engage Track Mode only while driving solo or showing off for your buddies.
At a starting price of $297,995 its competition is worth mentioning. The Huracan Spyder is the Volantes closest visceral competitor, but is often twitchy and anxious at low speeds. After a couple of hours behind the wheel one is left frustrated wondering where the nearest race circuit is. Since the introduction of the Volante, the super GT class has never been more exciting. This one checks all the necessary boxes. It makes beautiful sounds at startup all the way to full throttle. The Vanquish has a long wheelbase with an elegant waist drawing the eye back to its functional rear spoiler. Under the hood resides the latest version 6.0 V12 making 568 hp and 457 lb-ft of torque. This is enough force to send it to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds with a max velocity of 183 mph. A luxmil leather tonneau and finished deck lid have the top down and hidden away in 14 seconds. It is an absolutely beautiful feature keeping the lines clean and sexy.
Every time I dropped the top all eyes were fixated on her. People would get lost in its beauty at stoplights wanting to ask what kind of car it was until they were honked at by the car behind them. In a way this car is doing the people around you a service as you drive. It’s a rolling piece of art lost in a sea of common, mass-produced and over engineered vehicles. It is a thing of beauty. People will not remember that every body panel is made of carbon fiber. They will remember the emotion they felt when they first laid eyes on it as its snarling V12 goes by. This is a grand tourer of beauty, emotion and sophistication. Not the numbers.
The Aston Martin Vanquish Volante gives you the same feeling after a long storm has passed. You look to the hillsides and they’re green and full of life. There’s a fresh smell in the air, the roads have been cleaned and the birds are chirping. All of your senses become engaged and you notice new things. So is the way of the Volante. The sounds, textures, visual aesthetics and attention to detail will have you waiting for the next time to let her fly. In the mean time take in the emotional draw of its elegant design as it serves its second purpose. Art.
By Jeremy Epp
Photos: Alandra Chavarria
