V8 Saloon and Volante The arrival of the V8 developed by Tadek Marek was delayed, and it was the DBS V8 that would debut it. In 1972, an updated version of the model was introduced, featuring redesigned front and rear ends. Since model names have never been a strong suit for Aston Martin, this model was simply called the V8, or AM V8. The coupe version was nicknamed the V8 Saloon, and its convertible version the V8 Volante. Initially equipped with a carbureted V8—whose technical upgrades would gradually modify the shape of the hood’s bulge—the engine was later converted to electronic fuel injection (EFi), recognizable by its flat hood. This model enjoyed a particularly long production run of 17 years, and the V8 established itself as an iconic model of the 1980s for the brand.