SPIED: Aston Martin DB11 Volante goes winter testing

Here’s a soft-top version of the Aston Martin DB11, the DB11 Volante – the second product of the company’s ‘Second Century’ plan, spotted cold weather testing in mule guise. As with prior Volante models, the al fresco DB11 employs a fabric roof, while the bodywork appears identical to the coupe from the A-pillars forward.

The coupe’s Curlicue vents appear to remain, for the same purpose of extracting high-pressure air from within the front wheel arches to reduce lift in that region. Disguise panels conceal the DB11 Volante’s rear haunches and rear decklid, suggesting revised bodywork for the upcoming soft-top Aston; otherwise, the rear bumper, diffuser and exhaust treatment appear identical to the coupe’s.

What remains visible is the small active spoiler which, on the coupe, deploys from within the Aeroblade air channels which aim to reduce lift like a larger, conventional wing would do.

In terms of powertrain, the Volante can be expected to feature the same engine and transmission as the coupe, namely the new 5.2 litre, twin-turbocharged V12 engine which produces 608 PS at 6,500 rpm and 700 Nm of torque between 1,500 and 5,000 rpm, sent to the rear wheels via an eight-speed transaxle automatic.

The test vehicle pictured here has “Coming Spring 2018” along with the hashtag #DB11Volante stickered along its side, indicating its launch date a little over a year away, possibly at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show, in time for the Northern Hemisphere summer.

GALLERY: Aston Martin DB11 in Malaysia

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