Aston Martin DB7 Volante

Although it didn't appear for almost 3 years after the Aston Martin DB7's unveiling, Aston Martin had every intention of creating a soft-top version. In 1996, the Aston Martin DB7 Volante made its debut at the Los Angeles and Detroit motor show.

Aston Martin DB7 was launched the to the publi at the Geneva Motorshow in March 1993. The engine proved to be a light alloy, twin camshaft, supercharged straight six of 3,228cc based on a design that had originated at Jaguar. The cylinder head used 4 valves per cylinder with Zytec electronic multi-point fuel injection while the air needed to combust the fuel was delivered by a water cooled Eaton, 'roots' type, supercharger which was driven by a toothed belt from the camshaft.

In 1999, the Aston Martin DB7 received significant engineering enhancements with the introduction of the Aston Martin DB7 Vantage - the first Aston Martin to use a V12 engine.

It was Victor Gauntlett who first suggested that a new, smaller Aston Martin should be built alongside the big V8 Astons, a car that would, in terms, be a volume seller. The advent of the Ford Motor Company and the appointment of the late Walter Hayes as Chief Executive of Aston Martin not only provided new funding, but a renewed vigour in the person of Rod Mansfield who, as Engineering Director in 1990, was charged with the development of the 'smaller' Aston Martin, code names DP1999. The new design, code named NPX, was subjected to far more development and testing than the majority of models to date, with the use of some 30 prototypes which were exposed to extreme conditions and temperatures across the World.

• Aston Martin DB7 has been sold into 29 different markets across the world since its launch.
• Since 1999, the Aston Martin DB7 Vantage has accounted for 60% of total DB7 sales.
• The Coupe constitutes for 56% of total Aston Martin DB7 production.
• Aston Martin DB7's have been painted in more than 200 different colours.
• The most popular exterior colour for Aston Martin DB7 is green, followed by silver and then blue.
• Since 1993, more than 56,000 litres of paint have been mixed.
• It takes over 220 man hours to build a Aston Martin DB7.

Technical Specifications

• Engine: All alloy twin OHC, 24 valve in-line 6 cylinder, 3239 cc, single Eaton Superchager. Compression ratio 8.3:1. Zytek engine management with sequential fuel injection and EDIS distributorless ignition system
• Maximum power: 355 bhp @ 5500 rpm
• Maximum torque: 500 Nm (368 lb. ft) @ 3000 rpm
• Transmission: Five speed manual with optional four speed automatic. Limited slip differential. Ratio: 3.54:1
• Brakes
  • Front: Ventilated steel discs 284mm diameter with all alloy four pot calipers
  • Rear: Solid steel discs 295mm diameter with sliding calipers and drum brake. Teves anti-lock braking
• Bore/stroke: 91mm x 83mm
• Length: 4631mm
• Width: 1820 mm.
• Height: 1268 mm
• Wheelbase: 2691 mm
• Kerb Weight: 1725 kg
• Track
  • Front: 1524 mm
  • Rear: 1530 mm
• Fuel tank capacity: 89 litres (95 RON unleaded)
• 0-100km/h (0-62 mph): 5.8 seconds (manual)
• Maximum speed: 266 km/h (165 mph)

• Production dates: October 1994 - September 1999