The Aston Martin Vanquish Volante stands as the dominant convertible high-performance vehicle
Aston Martin Vanquish Volante vs Ferrari 12Cilindri Spider: A Tale of Two High-Performance Convertibles
The Aston Martin Vanquish Volante and the Ferrari 12Cilindri Spider are two iconic convertible supercars, each offering a unique blend of power, design, and driving experience.
Aston Martin Vanquish Volante: A British Masterpiece
At its heart, the Vanquish Volante boasts a 5.2-liter twin-turbocharged V12 engine, producing 835PS and 1000Nm of torque. This powerhouse is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, enabling the vehicle to accelerate from 0-62mph in just 3.4 seconds and reach a top speed of 214mph.
The Vanquish Volante is a large, 2-door, 2-passenger convertible, boasting an elegantly sculpted body. Its K-fold retractable roof folds in 14 seconds, with a 31mph operation limit. Despite being slightly heavier than the coupe version due to chassis reinforcements for the convertible top, the Vanquish Volante offers a refined driving experience, with advanced adaptive dampers and a balanced 50/50 weight distribution.
Ferrari 12Cilindri Spider: An Italian Stallion
The Ferrari 12Cilindri Spider, on the other hand, is a testament to Italian flair and open-top spectacle. Its naturally aspirated V12 engine focuses on pure displacement and traditional engine character, offering a raw, classic V12 performance and sound. The 12Cilindri Spider is slightly faster off the line, with a claimed 0-62mph time of about 3.0 seconds.
The design of the 12Cilindri Spider emphasizes visceral driving and emotional engine theatrics. It is known for its theatrical V12 engine sound and more direct, punchy character, offering a driving experience that is less refined but more raw compared to the Vanquish’s blend of elegance and power.
Comparison: Aston Martin Vanquish Volante vs Ferrari 12Cilindri Spider
| Feature | Aston Martin Vanquish Volante | Ferrari 12Cilindri Spider | |-----------------------------|-----------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------| | Engine | 5.2L twin-turbo V12, 823-835 hp, 737-738 lb-ft | Naturally aspirated V12, classic displacement, no turbo/hybrid | | Transmission | 8-speed automatic with paddle shifters | (Not explicitly specified; traditionally dual-clutch manual) | | 0-60 mph Acceleration | ~3.3–3.4 seconds | ~3.0 seconds (claimed faster acceleration) | | Top Speed | 214 mph | (Not specified; implied high but slightly less than Vanquish) | | Weight | About 4500 lb (Volante) | Generally lighter, less chassis bracing | | Roof | Automatic K-fold convertible roof, 14s operation | Open-top convertible | | Driving character | Refined British GT with brutal power | Raw Italian classic V12 theatrics | | Price | Base ~$490,000 | (Price not specified, generally comparable or higher) |
The Vanquish Volante represents a modern, highly engineered British interpretation of a front-engine V12 convertible supercar with turbocharging and advanced adaptive suspension, focusing on combining luxury with extreme performance. The Ferrari 12Cilindri Spider serves as a purist Italian supercar, cherishing naturally aspirated engine excitement and emotional driving experience with slightly better acceleration but fewer modern refinements.
The Aston Martin Vanquish Volante can be contacted via AstonMartin on social media, and enquiries can be made at AstonMartin.com. The Vanquish Volante goes head-to-head with Ferrari's 12Cilindri Spider and McLaren's 750S, offering more docility, refinement, and utility compared to its competitors. However, it should be noted that the Vanquish Volante has slightly less stowage space compared to the coupe version, and dropping the top exposes the driver and passenger to a louder V12 soundtrack and public display.
The Aston Martin Vanquish Volante, with its refined British identity and advanced technology, offers a blend of luxury and performance, showcased by its powerful twin-turbo V12 engine and adaptive suspension system. In contrast, the Ferrari 12Cilindri Spider, embodying Italian flair and technology, is a high-performance convertible driven by the raw, traditional character of its naturally aspirated V12 engine, providing a rawer and more emotional driving experience.
