ASTON Martin has unveiled its new Vanquish Volante - the fastest, most powerful open top series production Aston Martin to date and, alongside its coupe stablemate, the fastest, most powerful front engine production car on sale today.

Powered by Aston Martin's new 5.2-litre V12 engine delivering 835ps and with a top speed of 214mph, and the company says the Vanquish Volante offers all the raw thrill of the coupe with an unmatched visceral open air driving experience.

It is priced from £361,000 - £27,000more than the coupe.

The new Vanquish Volante is the crown jewel in a model lineage extending back 60 years. The first Aston Martin to receive the name was the little-known Short Chassis Volante of 1965, comprising design elements of both the convertible DB5 that preceded it and DB6 Volante that succeeded it.

It is also one of the rarest of all production examples, with only 37 being built over a one-year period.

Aston Martin chief executive officer, Adrian Hallmark said "For 60 years, Aston Martin Volantes have defined the art of elegant, sporting, open-top motoring. With its stunning looks and outstanding V12 engine producing more power than any other front-engine production car on sale, Vanquish Volante has taken this philosophy to an entirely new level. At Aston Martin we are proud to be doing such justice to our heritage while, as the unprecedented performance of the Vanquish Volante shows, keeping our eyes firmly focused on the future."

Providing Vanquish Volante with its knockout punch is Aston Martin's new twin-turbocharged, 5.2-litre V12 engine. The first V12 to wear the famous Aston Martin wings was fitted to the DB7 Vantage, launched in both Coupe and Volante for 2000 model year. In the 25 years since, the power of the marque's iconic V12 has almost doubled, from 426ps, with maximum torque seeing similar gains, from 543Nm to 1000Nm.

Power is fed to the rear wheels with an eight-speed ZF gearbox located within the rear axle for optimal weight distribution and incorporates the same rear E-differential (E-diff) seen on Vanquish Coupe.

The Vanquish Volante retains the traction and stability control systems from the Coupe with a new ESP system designed to offer the driver enhanced dynamic support and maximum safety, within a unique tuning application.

Offering pre-defined ESP modes (On, Track, Off, Wet), all modes are selectable via the ESP button on the centre console.

The Vanquish Volante retains its contemporary elegance from Coupe; a toned, muscular presence, broad stance and fluid curves. Signature details from the F1inspired thermos louvres remain in its dramatically sloping bonnet to aid cooling.

The lightweight K-fold roofcan be opened in 14-seconds and closed in 16-seconds, and is operatable on the move up to 31mph. Furthermore, the roof can be opened or closed remotely from the key fob, within a two-metre radius of the car.

Designed purposely as a two-seater, the car has a blend of modern touch screen technology and tactile physical switchgear

Vanquish Volante incorporates the bespoke interior layout introduced on Vanquish

Aston Martin's next generation infotainment showcases the digital 10.25-inch TFT driver display, while the integrated 10.25-inch" Pure Black touchscreen system with full online connectivity features technology with full capacitive single and multi-finger gesture control.

It is only fitting that Vanquish Volante is equipped as standard with the very best audio system from audio partner Bowers & Wilkins. Seamlessly integrated and expertly tuned for Vanquish Volante, the 15-speaker, double amplified surround sound system delivers the most enthralling listening experience.

A machine-knurled rotary dial surrounds the illuminated Stop/Start button, allowing the selection of a desired drive mode, sitting alongside push button switches for Chassis, ESP, Exhaust and Park Distance Control, ensuring the most used controls can be operated without the need for the driver to take their eyes off the road.Vanquish Volante also sees the addition of the roof operation switch along with a new shortcut button to directly access the ADAS controls.

Should customers require more personal choice, consultation with the customisation service, Q by Aston Martin, where some of the most skilled, experienced and creative designers are ready to work directly with clients to tailor their Vanquish Volante to completely bespoke requirements.

From touches as small as a name or initial sewn by hand into a headrest, to full-scale engineering and production of entirely bespoke components that create true one-offs, Q by Aston Martin ensures that even in the rarefied, limited production world of Aston Martin's flagship model, customers can create a something truly special and unique.

First deliveries are expected towards the end of the year.