Aston Martin touts coupe-like performance for DB12 Volante convertible

LONDON -- Aston Martin said its DB12 Volante high-performance convertible will match the driving abilities of the recently launched DB12 coupe.

The DB12 Volante has a fabric roof with a two-stage folding mechanism that Aston Martin says packs away compactly to maximize luggage capacity.

It uses the same reworked version of the 4.0-liter, twin-turbo AMG-Mercedes V-8 as the DB12 coupe, giving an power output of 670 hp.

The Volante accelerates from 0 to 60 mph (97 kph) in 3.6 seconds, Aston Martin said, with the extra weight of the roof responsible for the slight lag on the 3.4-seconds time offered by the coupe.

Aston Martin did not specify the DB12 Volante's weight.

The roof folds in 14 seconds, matching the time Aston Martin quoted for the outgoing DB11 Volante.

The DB12 is a heavily upgraded version of the DB11, with a significantly revised interior.

Aston Martin has increased the stiffness of the DB12 over the DB11 by 5 percent to improve handling.

The Volante "preserves all the purity and exceptional sporting capabilities" of its coupe sibling, Aston Martin CEO Amedeo Felisa said in a statement.

Aston Martin gave no indication of sales for the convertible but has previously said that the coupe/convertible split globally for its core GT model is 50/50.

The automaker did not release prices for the DB12 Volante. It's likely to be priced higher than the 184,000 pounds ($229,000) that the DB12 coupe's is expected to cost in Aston Martin's U.K. home market.

Deliveries of DB12 Volante will begin in the fourth quarter.

Aston Martin is giving the convertible a public debut at the Monterey Car Week in California from Aug. 11 to 20.