Deep-pocket convertible buyers desirous to tour fall's color palette in something equally exquisite should look toward the United Kingdom for their next up-scale top-down driving experience.
Since 1913, the British-built Aston Martin has offered discriminating styling, power and panache for consumers looking to reward themselves with one of the finest hand-assembled automobiles in the world.
Today, the rear-wheel drive 2010 Aston Martin DBS Volante provides the elegant refinement of a thoroughbred Grand Touring convertible sports car powered by a 6.0-liter V-12 engine that builds 510 horsepower coupled to either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission with race-inspired shift controls mounted on the steering column.
The 2010 DBS is the first production Aston Martin to make extensive use of ultra-light carbon fiber body panels.
Underneath its athletic skin lies a front mid-mounted engine teamed with a transmission positioned forward of the rear axle that yields a perfect front-to-rear 50:50 weight distribution.
The combination translates to superb handling that during my 100-mile test drive offered a seductive driving experience with exceptional responsiveness, control and agility.
An Adaptive Damping System instantly alters the suspension to ensure the driver has high levels of control across different driving conditions. Standard Dynamic Stability Control maintains optimum traction while carbon ceramic anti-lock disc brakes rein Volante's V-12 power potential.
DBS's refined suspension and precise steering wheel communication make driving this gorgeous convertible a pleasure on open pavement. Daily drivability ushers a smooth and sophisticated ride quality in town.
Inside, driver and three passengers are lavished in a quad-seat hand-stitched full leather cabin. Though rear seat legroom is best left for youthful types, front occupants enjoy generous leg space, supple seats and the rich ambience of luxurious amenities.
Among the niceties is a Bang & Olufsen BeoSound audio system that heralds 1000 watts of listening pleasure. Volante is also hard wired with integrated iPod, USB and MP3 ports. Bluetooth connectivity is also standard.
But amid all the rights are a couple wrongs.
Volante's center console cup holders need to be much deeper to support a carry-along espresso. And, although the BDS has power windows with one touch down feature, it doesn't reciprocate with one touch up operation- something cars far less expensive provide as standard equipment.
However, autumn open-air touring is made more enjoyable with the power-operated cloth top that retracts beneath an integrated metal tonneau cover. Holding a switch on the center console completes the entire choreographed drop-top operation in 18-seconds.
From all well-healed perspectives, the 2010 Aston Martin DBS Volante is a rolling masterpiece--elegantly styled and beautifully proportioned from every angle, top up or down, at a price that starts at $283,900. Add $2,600 for gas guzzler tax and $1,350 destination charge.
