DBS V12 Dragon 88 Volante
DBS V12 Dragon 88 Volante

DBS V12 Dragon 88 Volante

(2012) 2012MY

Announced at the 2012 Beijing Motor Show, the DBS Volante Dragon 88, alongside the other Virage and V8 Vantage S variants is Aston Martins offering especially to tempt the Chinese market with a dramatic and exclusive limited edition created especially for this large and important emerging market. The dragon is a reference to the Chinese year of the Dragon which began on the 23rd January 2012. As the mightiest of all Chinese zodiac signs, the dragon is a symbol of intense power strength, health and harmony.

DBS V12 Dragon 88 Volante

In Chinese culture, the number “8” is associated with good luck and prosperity; the number “88” with two “8”s combined it is an even more fortunate number. The 88 cars split across the three model variants were only made available to the Chinese market. The specs for the DBS Dragon 88 Volante  are as follows

  • 2012MY DBS, LHD Volante, Touchtronic 2 transmission, 2+2 seating, sports front seats
  • Amethyst Red coachwork (Volcano Red or Champagne Gold also available but none built)
  • Bright grille with Magnum Silver bonnet mesh.
  • 24-Carat Gold Plated Aston Martin Wings Badges
  • 10-spoke Silver painted Diamond Turned alloy wheels
  • Black Brake Calliper
  • Spicy Red leather with Sahara Tan stitching (Deep Purple or Chancellor Red also available but none built)
  • Piano Black facia with intricate gold Inlay
  • Obsidian Black carpets edged in Spicy Red leather
  • Dragon seat embroidery, inspired by one on the “Nine-Dragon Wall” in Behai Park, Beijing
  • Limited edition laser-etched sill plaque
  • Optional cost equipment as standard: Auto-dimming rear view mirror, alarm upgrade, second glass ECU, two leather pouches
  • Leather wrapped presentation box containing the owners guide, 2 glass ECUs and a customised pair of Bang & Olufsen Earphones

As I believe the Chinese market favours closed cars to convertibles, the DBS Volante Dragon 88 is the very rarest varient of this interesting special edition. Only a single example in Amethyst Red was built which was displayed at the 2012 Beijing Motor Show