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Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Volante is coming soon for $329,100

You've seen the coupe and read the reviews. You've seen the spy shots filtering out of the Nurburgring. And now you've finally, digitally and officially, seen the Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Volante. It's exactly what you'd expect — take the DBS Superleggera, keep its twin-tubrocharged 5.2-liter V12 engine and eight-speed automatic transmission, ditch its hardtop in favor of a folding convertible mechanism, add a drop of sunshine and a copious extra dose of wailing exhaust note, stir and enjoy. Aston Martin boasts that the DBS Superleggera Volante's top speed of 211 miles per hour matches that of the coupe and makes it the fastest convertible ever to roll out of Gaydon. Its quoted 0-62 mph time of 3.6 seconds (.02 seconds behind the coupe) and 0-100 time of 6.7 seconds means it's no slouch in the acceleration department, either, despite its quoted dry weight of 4,107 pounds. Fortunately, that heft (375 pounds more than the coupe) is distributed equally over the front and rear wheels. A revised aerodynamics package that includes a front spoiler and airdam, side strakes that are deeper than those of the coupe, a double rear diffuser and a so-called Aeroblade II all combine to deliver 390 pounds of downforce. That's just 6.6 pounds less than the coupe, despite the inherent aero penalty caused by the removal of the roof. It takes just 14 seconds to open and 16 seconds to close the soft top. At 10.2 inches, Aston says the folded roof stack is the smallest in its segment, and the top is offered in eight colors. A twill carbon fiber mesh finish is optional for the windshield surround, as well as the rear tonneau cover. Want one? You'll have to wait for the third quarter of 2019 to order the DBS Superleggera Volante in the United States. And you'll need a check for $329,100.

Aston Martin previews 'world's most powerful luxury SUV'

Aston Martin is preparing to expand the DBX lineup with what it promises will stand proud as "the world's most powerful luxury SUV." Concrete details remain few and far between, but the British firm released a short video to preview the mysterious new model. Posted on Aston Martin's official social media channels, the 13-second flick shows a sporty-looking wheel design, a piece of carbon fiber interior trim, and the company's wing-shaped logo embroidered into a headrest. What's perhaps more telling is the engine revving in the background. While previous rumors claimed that the spicier DBX would get a V12 engine, this one sounds a lot like a V8 to our ears. If the DBX S — a name that hasn't been confirmed for production yet — indeed lands with a V8, the unit will certainly be an evolution of the Mercedes-AMG-sourced 4.0-liter, twin-turbocharged engine that powers the standard model. It develops 542 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque in its regular state of tune; how much power it will make in the S is still up in the air. AMG pushes it to 603 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque in the GLE63 S and the GLS63 S (which are sitting out the 2022 model year), but those figures wouldn't give the DBX access to the power crown; Porsche's Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid has 670 horsepower and it qualifies for the "luxury SUV" label. Expecting an output of 670-plus horsepower isn't unreasonable, though crossing your fingers for the 720-horsepower V8 from the GT Black Series is likely wishful thinking, plus the usual assortment of chassis, suspension, and braking system upgrades needed to keep the cavalry in check. Aston Martin's preview hints that visual modifications inside and out will be part of the performance-oriented package as well. Intrigued? So are well. We won't have to wait long to find out: the next DBX variant will make its debut on February 1, 2022. Related Video: