ASTON MARTIN DB9 REAR

ASTON MARTIN DB9 REAR

 The future of Aston Martin is epitomised by the all-new DB9, a 2+2 seater ... It is part of the torque tube that rigidly connects the front engine to the rear gearbox.

ASTON MARTIN DB9 REAR

ASTON MARTIN DB9 REAR

ASTON MARTIN DB9 REAR

ASTON MARTIN DB9 REAR

ASTON MARTIN DB9 REAR

ASTON MARTIN DB9 REAR

ASTON MARTIN DB9 REAR

ASTON MARTIN DB9 REAR

ASTON MARTIN DB9 REAR

ASTON MARTIN DB9 REAR

ASTON MARTIN DB9 REAR

ASTON MARTIN DB9 REAR

What could be better--more beautiful, more attention-grabbing, more perfect for a jet-set lifestyle--than an Aston Martin DB9?

The answer is an Aston Martin DB9 Volante, the convertible version of one of the world's loveliest cars.

We can argue that the fixed-roof coupe, with an inevitably stiffer body shell, is lighter, faster, and more rewarding to drive--and $13,500 cheaper--but buyers of automotive exotica, especially in the United States, always veer toward a convertible. Aston knows that, so when it developed its VH platform--the architecture that will eventually be used for its three model lines--the plan was for closed and open versions with a minimum of modifications.

The beautiful DB9 coupe--featured in our supercar comparison last month--has been around for a year now, and it's time for it to be joined by the DB9 Volante.

The VH structure of bonded aluminum sheet and extrusions needed few changes for the DB9 Volante that, although it doesn't have the same torsional stiffness as the coupe, suffers much less from losing its head than most of its competitors. So it doesn't have the cowl shake or creaks and groans that afflict many convertibles. On bad road surfaces there is some murmuring through the steering, but it's not enough to spoil the driving experience. And with the top down, there is more opportunity to savor the aural delights of that mighty V-12 engine.

The Volante weighs 130 more pounds than the coupe. It eschews the retractable hardtops that have recently become so fashionable in favor of a conventional folding fabric roof. The top is superlative for its type, fitting snugly so that wind noise is negligible, even at 100 mph, and powering down and under a flush body panel simply by pulling back a switch on the center console. There are no catches to be released or secured, and the whole process of putting the roof up or down takes just 17 seconds.