Aston Martin DBS Volante

Has Aston lost its head? The firm’s most extreme road car, the DBS, has gone under the knife and had its roof removed. Called the DBS Volante, it’s fitted with the same 510bhp 6.0-litre engine as its fixed roof equivalent – but now there’s nothing between your ears and that glorious V12 soundtrack.

Despite tipping the scales at 1,810kg, 115kg more than the coupe, performance is barely affected. The 0-60mph dash takes just 4.2 seconds and top speed is unchanged at 191mph – luckily there’s carbon ceramic brake discs to provide fade-free stopping power.

An aggressive array of vents and a bulging bodykit are carried over from the coupe, while the roof stows at the touch of a button in 14 seconds, and up to speeds of 30mph. A rear subframe has been also added in an attempt to bolster the structural rigidity and keep scuttle-shake to a minimum.

But what Aston describe as “the ultimate open air motoring experience” doesn’t come cheap. Expect to pay around £170,000 when the DBS Volante goes on sale this Autumn.