Aston V12 Vantage

Aston has been busy with the One-77 of late - that's its limited run £1m megacar - and dealing with the credit crunch, conversely. Fortunately, those things haven't stopped the firm making its 'everyday' cars even faster and more desirable. This is a V12 version of Aston's littlest and prettiest.

What's all the fuss about?

Adding an extra four cylinders beneath the bonnet of a car already lauded for its beauty, performance and soundtrack is yet another reason for Aston Martin fans (and car fans in general, for that matter) to get excited. Power is up by 90bhp over the V8 Vantage, which results on the 0-62mph time being slashed from 4.7 seconds to just 4.1.

Any new technology?

Not really, if we're honest, because Aston has simply shoehorned its 6.0-litre powerplant into its smallest car. Having said that, the DB9's V12 has been fettled substantially to improve airflow and account for a 40bhp increase, while the Vantage's front internals have been re-worked to accommodate the new engine. The V12 weighs 100kg more than the outgoing V8, but lightweight materials around the car (including some panels, the wheels and brakes) have reduced the weight gain to half that.

When can I buy one?

Like the DBS Volante standing next to it at Aston Martin's gloriously beautiful plinth, you can order a V12 Vantage now, but you'll have to twiddle your thumbs until it arrives in 'the third quarter of 2009'. Aston's crack team of Gaydon coachbuilers will only knock out 300-500 per year, so be quick(ish).

Mark Nichol