ASTON MARTIN DB7 Volante 1996-1999 Photos, engines & full specs

Aston Martin unveiled an open-top version for the DB7 in 1996, two years after introducing the Gran Coupe.

The birth of the DB7 was long and painful. It was initially developed as a Jaguar XJS replacement, but further updates and innovations led to a turn toward the Aston Martin yard. The design team led by Ian Callum carried over other components from various brands owned by Ford to cut the development costs.

With an ageless design, the DB7 Volante featured a long hood shared with the coupe sibling and a raked windshield with thick A-pillars used as safety arches. There were no B-pillar. At the front, the car featured clear-lens covers for the headlights and the Aston Martin specific shell-shape grille with thin horizontal slats. Its wrapped-around plastic bumper sported Mazda MX5-originated turn signals and the parking lights. The carmaker installed vents behind the front wheel arches. Aston Martin carried over the chromed door handles from Mazda 323 station wagon. The same Japanese carmaker provided the taillights used for the 323 F.

Inside, the carmaker created a new dashboard with a rounded-shaped instrument cluster. Its panel sported two main dials and four additional gauges. A black sun visor surrounded the center stack covered in wood veneers. The leather-clad interior confirmed the luxurious status of the Aston Martin DB7 Volante. Unfortunately, its open-top was not completely retractable behind the seats, like other premium convertibles.

Under the hood, the carmaker installed a Jaguar 3.2-liter supercharged engine. Its inline-six provided 340 hp, which was considered adequate for those times.