2019 Aston Martin DB11 Volante is a different beast with the top up

he car is still nice, of course, but raising the canvas top over those infinitesimal rear seats and low body compromises every line the brand has worked so hard to develop and protect

The first thing anybody says about the Aston Martin DB11 is: “Oh! It’s such a beautiful car.”

And it is. The softly rounded clamshell hood, grinning dark grille, and a rear that’s like a comet flaming across the sky combine to make this arguably the most visually stunning coupe on the market.

It has long been this way. Ever since Aston Martin owner David Brown launched the DB1 70 years ago, half of all Aston Martins built have belonged to the DB family. In fact, led by the alluring DB11 line, Aston Martin last year posted its first profit in eight years,