Its on-screen introduction with Bond at the wheel was short-lived, ending in a dramatic roll, but our favourite spy's transport is now available to those without a license to kill. Taking the place at the top of the Aston Martin range the company describes the new DBS as the 'ultimate luxury performance car.' Other manufacturers might dispute that, but there's no doubting that the DBS is an enticing proposition. Based on the same architecture as the DB9, Aston's Chief Executive Officer Dr Ulrich Bez said: "The DBS is the ultimate expression of Aston Martin's engineering and technical ability. It offers pure performance without compromise." Powered by an upgraded version of the 6.0-litre V12 from the DB9, Aston Martin's engineers have increased its output to 510bhp, which allows the DBS to reach 191mph. That's actually a few bhp down and mph slower than the outgoing Vanquish S. However, the DBS reaches 62mph faster, recording a time of 4.

3 seconds; half a second quicker than the Vanquish S. The DBS promises to be a far more involving and intimate drive, too. It comes with a six-speed manual transmission, the gears specifically selected for scintillating in-gear acceleration. Lighter (just), lower and wider than the DB9 the DBS also features a new adaptive damping system. Aston claims the electronically controlled suspension allows the DBS to offer a sporting drive without compromising ride comfort.

There's a track setting offered too that stiffens it to the maximum and if you can drive better than Bond it's possible to completely disable all the electronic stability controls. Unlike its DB9 relative the DBS is a strict two-seater. Luxuriously appointed, but with a more sporting twist, the gear shifter is polished alloy and the heavily sculpted steering wheel has a twin stitched straight-ahead marker. If that's not quite focussed enough, customers can opt for lightweight Kevlar seats from the options list. It's started via a button after inserting what Aston Martin refers to as the 'Emotion Control Unit'; a polished sapphire and stainless steel fob that takes the place of a conventional key.

Deliveries for the new sporting flagship commence early 2008, with prices confirmed at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

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