We recently had the chance to sample the standard version of the 2026 Aston Martin Vanquish Volante, and that car set a very high bar for what an open-air Aston should be. The 5.2-liter twin-turbo V12 was explosive when pushed, yet refined enough to make long-distance driving surprisingly approachable, reminding us that Aston Martin hasn’t lost touch of the grand touring formula.
That firsthand experience puts the spotlight on Aston Martin’s latest unveiling. To celebrate 60 years of the Volante name, the company’s bespoke division, Q by Aston Martin, has created not one, but two ultra-exclusive 60th Anniversary Editions. One is based on the Vanquish, the other on the DB12. Each will be limited to just 60 units worldwide and represent the highest level of performance, craftsmanship, and collectability Aston Martin has ever offered in its convertible lineup.
Driving the standard V12-powered Vanquish Volante revealed how Aston Martin blends brute force with everyday usability. The 60th Anniversary Edition takes that foundation and elevates it, because Q by Aston Martin has pushed the twin-turbo V12 to 835 horsepower and 737 pound-feet of torque, with 0 to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds and a top speed good for 214 mph.
Those figures make it the fastest and most powerful production convertible in the British marque’s history, also outpacing rivals like the Lamborghini Huracán Evo Spyder. Throw in bespoke bronze detailing, tri-tone interiors, and strictly limited numbers, and the Vanquish Volante 60th Anniversary Edition has the hallmarks of an instant collectible.
While the Vanquish caters to purists seeking peak performance, the DB12 Volante further balances that aforementioned everyday usability with Aston Martin’s super tourer credentials. Under the hood sits a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8, still good for an impressive 671 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque. That’s enough for 0 to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds and a 202 mph top speed.
With a 2+2 layout, the DB12 Volante is versatile enough for longer trips, yet it still delivers the performance to rival cars like the latest 992.2 Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet, unveiled this past weekend. It pairs luxury ride quality with the ability to devour miles at speed, making it the more approachable of the two Anniversary Editions. Q’s exquisite bespoke finishes ensure it is no less exclusive, with the same bronze-accented design language and handcrafted interior treatments seen on the Vanquish Volante.
Both Anniversary Editions also feature Q Pentland Green paint with a matching Westminster Green fabric roof. Anodized bronze accents extend from the vaned grille to the 21-inch satin bronze wheels, side strakes, and interior touchpoints; speaking of which, the interior features tri-tone leathers in Centenary Saddle Tan, Ivory, and Woven finishes, which pair with Dark Walnut veneers. Embroidered 60th Anniversary logos and etched seatbacks highlight the commemorative theme of these special builds.
Beyond the aesthetics, though, Q by Aston Martin of course, allows for near-limitless personalization. You can work with the team to tailor finishes, materials, and even components. No two cars need be identical, which only amplifies their appeal to collectors who prize individuality alongside exclusivity.
Now, let’s talk about the significance of the Volante lineage. It comes from Italian, meaning “flying,” and Aston Martin first used it in 1965 for the Short Chassis Volante, a model bridging the DB5 and DB6. Only 37 examples were ever built, and today they can sell for more than $1.5 million at auction, often double the price of a comparable DB5 coupe. That rare debut set the tone for six decades of open-air Astons that combined elegance with performance.
Noteworthy examples followed. The DB6 Volante gained fame when Prince Charles received one as a birthday gift, the same one that he later converted to run on bioethanol. The V8 Volante of the 1970s and 1980s was a showcase of luxury and excess of its era, while in the 2000s, the DB9 and DBS Volante modernized the concept. At auction, Volante models often carry a 20 to 40 percent premium over their coupe counterparts.
Collectors gravitate toward Volantes precisely because of this very pattern. Early DB6s, Short Chassis Volantes, and special editions like the coachbuilt Vantage Volante Zagato are already considered blue-chip investments, while even contemporary DBS Superleggera Volantes are starting to hold firm against depreciation. All this in a year where Aston is celebrating 75 years in the Americas, scarcity and desirability continue to drive premiums, and the 60th Anniversary Editions have been built in. With only 60 examples of each model, these cars are engineered to be cultural milestones and guaranteed collector’s assets.
Aston Martin could have simply added badges and new paint to mark 60 years of Volante. Instead, it created two of the most powerful, refined, and exclusive convertibles in its history. For enthusiasts, the Anniversary Editions represent the ultimate expression of open-air Aston driving. For collectors, they are investments destined to appreciate as the Volante story continues to unfold.
Source: Aston Martin
