2018 Aston Martin Vanquish S Volante Spied Near the Nurburgring

As simply put as possible, what Mike spied here is probably the last hurrah of the 5.9-liter naturally aspirated V12. Codenamed AE28, the twelve-cylinder debuted in the Aston Martin lineup at the 1999 Geneva Motor Show, the venue where A.M. presented the DB7 V12 Vantage. Back then, the N/A V12 was good for 420 horsepower (426 PS) and 400 lb-ft (540 Nm).

In the case of the 2018 Aston Martin Vanquish S and the Vanquish S Volante, we expect the AE28 V12 to produce 592 horsepower or 600 PS, the same output the Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato prides itself on. In the case of the Vanquish S, the Touchtronic III eight-speed automatic is definitely on the menu. A seven-speed dog-leg manual such as the one in the V12 Vantage S could also make the cut if Aston Martin finds demand for such a thing.

Aesthetically speaking, the 2018 Aston Martin Vanquish S Volante differs from the fixed head coupe where it’s obvious. Of course, I’m referring to the triple-layered fabric top. In the case on the non-S Vanquish Volante, Aston Martin promises that the roof takes just 14 seconds to fold. Be that as it may, the tell-tale detail that makes the difference between a regular Vanquish and a Vanquish S is the more gung-ho rear diffuser and the four exhaust tips sticking out the back. Looks rather sporty for a grand tourer, doesn't it?

The 2018 model year will also see Aston Martin debut an next generation of the Vantage. Spoiler alert: the entry-level model will pack the 4.0-liter biturbo V8 from the Mercedes-AMG GT, while the range-topping V12 Vantage will borrow the 5.2-liter twin-turbo unit from the DB11. All things considered, the future looks bright for the coolest British automaker of them all.