Driven: 2025 Aston Martin DB12 Volante Proves Perfection Is Not A Myth

Aston Martin bumped into a problem when it got here time to launch the DB11 in 2016. The British automaker had simply wrapped up promoting the DB9, one of many prettiest vehicles ever made, because of legendary designers Ian Callum and Henrik Fisker. The DB11 wasn’t “ugly” – removed from it – nevertheless it lacked that “chunk the again of your hand” great thing about its predecessor. With the discharge of the 2025 Aston Martin DB12 Volante, the enamel marks are again.

Aston Martin launched the DB12 in 2023 as a substitute for the DB11. A convertible Volante mannequin was revealed just some months later, providing the identical gorgeous appears to be like and epic efficiency with open-top thrills. Not like the DB11, which was out there with two completely different engines, the DB12 will not be out there with a V12 – you will must step as much as the Vanquish for that. As a substitute, it contains a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 that delivers extra energy than the outgoing DB11 V12. With extra energy, up to date know-how, and heart-rending magnificence, is Aston Martin again to constructing the best Grand Tourer on this planet?

Exterior Appears: Aston Is So Again

Regardless of wanting like an evolution of the DB11, Aston Martin is adamant the DB12 is an all-new automotive with 80% completely different components. The adjustments are frankly epic, on this author’s opinion, taking Aston again to its heyday when it comes to design. A bigger grille opening with the enduring horizontal slats visually lowers the automotive, regardless of not being any decrease bodily. It reminds us a whole lot of the outgoing DBS Superleggera, which was attractive.

We think about the DB12 will look gorgeous in most colours, however our tester’s Podium Inexperienced (a $9,700 choice) is especially attention-grabbing and makes it look so much just like the company’s F1 safety car, a Vantage coupe. If this paint does not make you envious, there’s a almost limitless assortment of different colours to select from, divided into Blacks & Greys, Purples & Blues, Greens, Reds, Bronzes & Oranges, and Silvers & Whites. Aston additionally lets homeowners clients the grille end (vibrant or darkish), roof (black, crimson, blue, and black/silver), taillights (crimson or smoked), and brake calipers (gray, black, silver, yellow, crimson, bronze, and inexperienced).

There are seven completely different 21-inch wheel choices, together with our tester’s cast satin black ones ($4,400). They appear glorious, however we would not thoughts a smaller 20-inch wheel to enhance the trip high quality.

Inside & On-Board Expertise: Smarter Magnificence

The outgoing DB11 featured a stunningly-crafted inside, however fell quick with its infotainment stack. An outdated infotainment system and annoying contact capacitive buttons ruined what was in any other case an ideal cabin. The DB12 is totally revamped with a brand new “waterfall” console that contains a extra intuitive format, more room in your telephone and different gadgets, and an infotainment system that not feels trapped within the final decade. This may be Aston Martin’s most interesting inside ever. Prospects can go for a monotone (Saddle Tan on our tester) or duotone inside with completely different sew patterns.

Our tester got here with gloss black inside trim, which might be swapped out for wooden or carbon fiber. We would suggest choosing one of many different supplies, and the gloss black attracts mud and fingerprints. Aston Martin, fortunately, ditched the touch-capacitive controls of the DB11 in favor of actual buttons and knobs. Solely the heated and ventilated seats are nonetheless activated by contact. We would keep on with the Consolation seats, which match the Grand Tourer really feel of the DB12 greater than the optionally available carbon fiber Efficiency seats. There’s a again seat, however good luck getting anybody again there. As for the trunk, it options 7.3 cubic ft of area, which reduces to 6 cubes with the roof down, in comparison with 9.2 cubic ft within the DB12 Coupe.

Many unique automotive firms nickel and dime their clients for options that come customary in a Toyota Corolla, however Aston Martin now features a sturdy roster of no-cost options. The DB12 Volante contains 12-way heated entrance seats with three-position reminiscence, dual-zone computerized local weather management, rain-sensing wipers, power-folding frameless mirrors, a power-adjustable steering column, and extra. It additionally comes with a complete security suite, together with adaptive cruise management, blind spot warning, door open help, driver drowsiness detection, ahead collision warning, entrance cross-traffic help, a 3D surround-view system, hands-off detection, and lane centering. After all, you possibly can nonetheless spend a bundle on extras, as evidenced by our tester’s $60,900 in choices.

Infotainment: It Works Now

Earlier run-ins with Aston Martin’s infotainment methods might solely be described as irritating. The earlier technology’s Mercedes-sourced COMAND system was antiquated upon its arrival – and do not even get us began on the Volvo-based unit that got here earlier than it. With the DB12, nevertheless, we’re happy to say the infotainment downside is fastened. The ten.25-inch touchscreen could possibly be greater and a bit brighter, nevertheless it’s lastly intuitive to make use of. It additionally comes with wi-fi Apple CarPlay, and can soon have access to CarPlay Ultra, which takes over the gauge cluster. An 11-speaker audio system comes customary, however our tester got here geared up with a 15-speaker Bowers & Wilkins setup. It sounds phenomenal, however prices $10,000.

Efficiency: Who Wants A V12?

Regardless of having a 12 within the title, the DB12 doesn’t provide a V12 like its DB11 predecessor. As a substitute, it is now powered by an improved model of the Mercedes-AMG-sourced 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8. This engine beforehand produced 528 horsepower and 513 lb-ft of torque, however now delivers 671 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque going out to the rear wheels through an eight-speed computerized transmission. For reference, the outgoing DB11 V12 solely produced 630 hp and 520 lb-ft, whereas the DBS Superleggera shelled out 715 hp and 663 lb-ft. In the event you completely should have 12 cylinders to brag to your nation membership mates, the brand new Vanquish replaces the DBS with a head-exploding 824 hp and 738 lb-ft.

Efficiency Impressions

Apart from the DBX SUV, which has all-wheel-drive, most Aston Martin automobiles aren’t designed to have the quickest 0-60 mph launches of their class. The DB12 Volante scoots from zero to 60 in 3.6 seconds, a tenth-of-a-second slower than the DB12 Coupe. In our real-world testing, the Volante bested Aston Martin’s estimate, hitting 60 mph in 3.45 seconds, which is faster than the outgoing DBS Superleggera Volante. The launch management program is way extra superior than earlier Aston Martin methods, managing the wheelspin for a faster launch fairly than permitting a smokey burnout or reducing energy with a very aggressive traction management system. We chalk the improved launch as much as the brand new four-stage digital stability management, which incorporates 5 dynamic modes and a rear e-differential.

Aston Martin’s tuning of the ZF eight-speed computerized transmission is best than ever, too. It flawlessly fades into the background throughout regular driving, however provides ferocious shifts from the wheel-mounted paddle shifters when commanded. We thought the swap from column-mounted paddles within the DB11 can be a much bigger loss, however the DB12’s metallic shifters are so large and premium-feeling, you will not miss the outdated ones. The V8 engine is tuned in a different way from AMG, with a singular exhaust word that units it aside. It is deeper, extra raspy, and extra soulful than it sounds within the AMG GT or SL. Does it match the wail of the outgoing V12? Probably not, nevertheless it’s nonetheless an awesome noise. And Aston Martin nonetheless sells a V12, you simply must improve to the Vanquish.

Journey and Dealing with

Aston Martin calls the DB12 Volante a Tremendous Grand Touring automotive, that means it is meant to be comfy over lengthy distances whereas having the ability to journey at ballistic speeds, 202 mph on this case. If you would like a pure sports activities automotive, the Vantage could also be extra your pace. The DB12 is very athletic with good chassis steadiness, nevertheless it does not fully get rid of physique roll to hurry by way of a nook at most tempo, regardless of having clever adaptive dampers. Nor does it coddle occupants like a Bentley Continental GT; it is firmer than that, and it feels extra pure to drive because of its rear-drive format. You do pay a worth for this pure efficiency, because the Bentley does out-accelerate the Aston because of its hybrid setup and AWD system.

In the event you solely care about numbers, Bentley or Porsche are higher choices. The DB12 Volante is all about the way it makes you are feeling. Non-isolated steering provides the DB12 a extra exact edge than its DB11 predecessor; it is actually a few of the most communicative steering in any GT automotive. Aston additionally made structural enhancements with revised rear suspension mounting factors and an engine cross brace, bettering torsional stiffness by 5% and lateral entrance axle stiffness by 140%. Put into less complicated phrases, the DB12 does not transfer round as a lot over tough pavement, retaining traction planted to the bottom to ship superior efficiency. Optionally available ceramic brakes save 59 kilos and ship stellar stopping energy, however they do value $14,400.

Gas Economic system

It might not have a V12, however the DB12 is not precisely a gas sipper. Gas economic system is rated at 15 mpg within the metropolis, 22 mpg on the freeway, and 17 mpg mixed. That is solely marginally higher than the Mercedes-AMG SL 63 with the identical engine, which solely delivers MPG figures of 14/21/16 mpg metropolis/freeway/mixed mixed.

Verdict & Pricing: A Full Expertise

Aston Martins have all the time been many issues – fairly, luxurious, quick, and fascinating – to call a couple of. However there’s one phrase we might by no means use to explain them prior to now: “full.” The corporate’s lagging know-how all the time made it really feel such as you needed to make excuses for the vehicles, however beginning with the present DBX 707 and its touchscreen infotainment system, Aston Martin is lastly the overall package deal. In the event you can afford it, that’s.

The DB12 Volante begins at $265,000 – a $16,000 premium over the coupe. And as we talked about earlier, our tester had $60,900 in whole choices plus a $4,000 transportation and dealing with payment, bringing the overall worth to $329,900. That is simply over the beginning worth of the DBS Superleggera from 2020 (earlier than choices), however the DB12 does ship related efficiency.

The DB12 is our favourite type of automotive: a compliant grand tourer that may thrill you on a again highway. It is extra athletic however much less comfy than a Bentley, and extra “particular” than an AMG or a Porsche. Aston Martin has solved a couple of essential points with the DB11, specifically the infotainment and the fashionable (however not jaw-droppingly so) design. The DB12, just like the DB9 that got here lengthy earlier than it, is likely one of the prettiest automobiles in the marketplace and among the many most enjoyable to drive. We actually cannot wait to drive the Vanquish.