Aston Martin Vanquish Volante: The $600K Daily-Drive Dream
The 2026 Aston Martin Vanquish Volante: A Flagship Convertible That Defies Time
The 2026 Aston Martin Vanquish Volante is the brand’s new flagship convertible, showcasing how time moves forward without pause. The Vanquish name, though relatively young in the context of Aston Martin's century-old heritage, has been around since 2001, following a 1998 concept car. Over two generations, the Vanquish has evolved to reflect the changing aesthetics of the automaker, but now, at 25 years old, it's undergoing its second revival.
After a brief hiatus from the Vanquish nameplate, Aston Martin reintroduced it with both coupe and convertible variants, using a formula similar to previous models. The new Vanquish features a modified bonded aluminum chassis from the DB-series Astons, but with more power and an extroverted design that justifies its higher price point and limited production. This results in a grand tourer that is both extravagant and simple, offering lessons on how to make a car feel special regardless of cost.
Design That Demands Attention
Past iterations of the Vanquish embraced Aston Martin’s design language with intensity, featuring larger grilles and pronounced fenders to emphasize performance. The new model continues this trend, but its sheer size complicates the attempt to create drama. The Volante is as wide as many SUVs, and while its grille is oversized, additional winglets are needed to balance its proportions. The two-seater is also longer than a four-seat Bentley Continental GTC, with a longer wheelbase. Designers aimed to highlight the long-hood proportions of a classic front-engine sports car, but this element feels out of balance, detracting from the overall design.
The soft-top convertible conversion was well-executed. With the top down, the high, short rear deck is nicely emphasized. As in the coupe, the chopped-off tail is distinctive and reminiscent of the Aston Martin DB6. It serves as a reminder that cars don’t need to be conventionally attractive to make an impression—people were drawn to the car as it drove through Manhattan, but they did need to look different.
A Special Engine
The styling is somewhat justified by the presence of Aston Martin’s twin-turbocharged 5.2-liter V12 engine. This engine, introduced in the DB11, has received numerous upgrades, pushing output to 824 horsepower and 737 pound-feet of torque in both the Vanquish coupe and convertible. Aston claims the Vanquish is the most powerful front-engine V12 production car in the world, which is a subtle jab at Ferrari, which recently launched a front-engine V12 named after that distinctive engine.
The V12 is now exclusive to the Vanquish, making the name choice for the V8-powered DB12 a bit unfortunate, but it makes the Vanquish feel truly special. The performance numbers are impressive—zero to 62 mph in 3.4 seconds and a top speed of 214 mph for the convertible—but it's the subjective qualities that really impress. Deployed through the ZF eight-speed automatic transmission in a rear transaxle configuration, the V12 offers flexibility, allowing the car to glide smoothly or leap forward dramatically when desired.
Chassis Tuning That's Simple and Satisfying
The Vanquish Volante weighs 4,420 pounds, which, combined with its large footprint and prodigious power, could make it tricky to handle. However, Aston Martin uses technology sparingly to maintain an authentic driving experience. Instead of overloading the car with systems, the automaker focuses on specific hardware to perform distinct functions. For example, the electronic rear differential can fully lock to help rotate the car in corners, making it feel more nimble than its long wheelbase suggests.
Still Needs the Right Road
Our test route included highway driving to escape Manhattan, followed by tight, technical roads in Harriman State Park. On the Palisades Parkway, the Vanquish was pleasant in its default GT mode, with a plush and compliant suspension. However, the steering felt imprecise on back roads, and the car's width hindered confidence. Sport and Sport+ modes added weight, making fine-tuning corners more difficult. While these modes provided better grip and body control, the ride became too stiff on imperfect pavement.
No Convertible Tradeoffs
Modern convertibles have largely eliminated the structural concerns associated with open tops. The Vanquish Volante has extra bracing to compensate for the lack of a fixed roof, providing a 75% increase in lateral stiffness compared to the previous DBS Superleggera Volante. From behind the wheel, the car felt as solid and substantial as a fixed-roof model, with minimal wind buffeting even at highway speeds. Taller drivers should fit comfortably below the windshield, as the car was designed around Aston’s chief creative officer, who is six feet tall.
CarPlay Ultra Is Underwhelming
Aston Martin is rolling out Apple CarPlay Ultra across its lineup, integrating it into the Vanquish Volante’s 10.25-inch touchscreen and digital instrument cluster. However, the experience wasn’t significantly different from standard CarPlay, making it less exciting. Most other automakers seem to be passing on CarPlay Ultra, and this feature may not be worth waiting for in mainstream cars.
Interior and Customization
The Vanquish Volante’s interior matches the drama of its exterior, with an inclined center console and wing-like door panels that suggest speed. The touchscreen is easy to reach, and the knurled controls are a delight to use. Seats offer adequate bolstering without being constrictive, and the scope for customization is vast, with options for upholstery colors and wood or carbon-fiber trim. These options add significantly to the price, but customers likely don’t mind.
Final Thoughts
The 2026 Aston Martin Vanquish Volante is a remarkable vehicle that stands out for its attention to detail, special engine, and attention-grabbing design. While its price is steep, it offers a memorable driving experience that isn't solely dependent on power or technology. In a world filled with fast, expensive cars, the Vanquish Volante reminds us that fundamental engineering and design choices can make a car truly special.