Aston Martin debating DBS convertible nomenclature
Aston Martin has a whole slew of new flagships on the way. The One-77 supercar has yet to be fully revealed, the Rapide four-door is in the pipeline, and the V12 Vantage is undergoing testing. But before any of those hit the market, Aston Martin is preparing to unveil a convertible variant of its current top-of-the-line model, the DBS. However reports suggest that the niche automaker is still undecided as to what name the drop-top Bond-mobile will carry.
Traditionally convertible Astons – four-seaters, particularly – have carried the Volante nameplate, as the DB9 currently wears, while the open-top version of the two-seat V8 Vantage carries the sportier Roadster nameplate. The DBS is based on the DB9 but does away with the rear seats (unless the customer asks nicely), leaving it somewhere in the middle, and leaving Richards, Bez and company scratching their heads. Have any suggestions for the Aston Martin management? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.
Gallery: Aston Martin DBS Volante - spy shots
[Source: AutoTelegraaf via eGMCarTech]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
chad.dawkins 7:38PM (10/23/2008)
Volante sounds cool and they could go with Drophead.
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kevin 7:41PM (10/23/2008)
volante
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The Weakonomist 7:56PM (10/23/2008)
they can call it the DBS topless version and sell out.
But I vote Volante
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Mobius_1 8:24PM (10/23/2008)
Topless?
Might as well call it "Girl in Knight Rider" edition :P
Mi key 8:02PM (10/23/2008)
Just call it the Volante DBS.
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Hamud 8:12PM (10/23/2008)
Why not DBS-C??
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typhoon5000 10:44PM (10/23/2008)
I second DBS-C
RamblinReck89 8:18PM (10/23/2008)
DBS Roadster? DBS Volante? Does it really matter?
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Bruce 8:21PM (10/23/2008)
The word Volante means to move light and quickly, or flying, it is also the name of a 2 wheeled horse drawn carriage from Cuba. I wanted to say combine roadster with Volante but it sounds tacky. What about Volatus means to fly, and keeps with the V naming with Vantage and Volante
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Red 8:30PM (10/23/2008)
Combining Volante with Roadster would likely get you something like Veloster, which is a Hyundai concept. Not sure I'd want to go that route.
Since a Volante was an open hooded carriage, I think that translates easiest to the definition of "convertible" for a prestigious brand. "Aston Martin DBS Volante" sounds a lot sexier than "Aston Martin convertible".
Mobius_1 8:23PM (10/23/2008)
They can call it whatever they want and still sell out every one they make.
But I like Volante, although why not do a Bugatti and call it DBS Grand Sport?
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SprNtrl 9:04PM (10/23/2008)
Aston management gets paid hundreds of thousand of dollars in salaries and they have a hard time picking a name?
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Connor Murphy 9:05PM (10/23/2008)
Aston Martin DBS IROC-Z
I'm sure GM would be more than happy to sell it to them, though it'd probably have to be a T-top and come with a decal set... photoshop beckons.
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BVC500 9:47PM (10/23/2008)
Simply call it "DBC." I think that sounds cool.
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Thanh T. 7:48AM (10/24/2008)
Hmmm….interesting management dilemma. Smiling!
Aston Martin’s drophead coupe was introduced in 1961 with the DB4, DB5, and DB6. In 1967, is when the name “Volante” was applied to Aston Martin’s convertible models…
And the nameplate “Volante” has continued to be applied to all of Aston Martin’s convertible models ever since.
Hmmm….perhaps, Aston Martin DBS GT Volante?
Best wishes and Take Care.
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mkM3 9:17AM (10/24/2008)
It should be called "roadster" just like the Vanquish concept that Zagato did a few years back. That was similar in that it was based on the flagship Aston of the time and in that it did not have back seats whereas the coupe was offered with optional back seats.
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Frank Filipponio 10:15AM (10/24/2008)
DBS Drophead makes sense although Volante is more traditional. If those don't work how about DBX? DBS Cabriolet? DBS Speedster? DBS Transformer?
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JZeke 11:49AM (10/24/2008)
Volante S?
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Viktor 10:30AM (10/25/2008)
Winter testing is always good but I'm pretty sure they'll never se it in northern Sweden again when testing is done =P
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VegasBimmer 4:54PM (10/25/2008)
DBS Drophead - as others said, good traditional name
DBS Cabriolet - also on others list
DBS Flourish - crazy idea, just brainstorming
DBS Shooting Star (play on words with the Shooting Brake 2 door wagon nomenclature applied to a topless 2 door)
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