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Aston Martin DBS

The Essentials

  • Price from £175,891
  • What Car? says: 4 star rating
  • Fuel economy: up to 18.2mpg
  • What is it? James Bond's sports car of choice is a real tiger

Great

  • Attention seekers will never struggle to attract admiring glances
  • You'll never be late again
  • Quality craftsmanship, hand-built in England

Gripes

  • Only two airbags as standard - that's just mean
  • Masculine aluminium detailing is cold to the touch in winter
  • Why no keyless entry option or straightforward handbrake?
  • Drive

    So fast it'll make your mascara run, but a real pussycat when cruising

  • Inside

    Feels masculine but also beautiful - more David Beckham than Russell Crowe

  • Safety

    Needs more than two front airbags as standard and earlier activation of the traction control

  • Reliability

    The inscribed 'Handbuilt in England' says it all. It's the best of British quality

  • Space

    Room for your clubs in the boot and your shopping bags in the back

  • Standard and extras

    As many toys as the Early Learning Centre - for you and your lucky passenger

  • What's it like to drive?

    If you could lie on the sofa while getting a back rub and still end up one hundred miles away then you could be driving a DBS. It may have scary amounts of power (510bhp) and rival Usain Bolt for pace (0-62mph in 4.3 seconds) but driving it is effortless. It rides the bumps brilliantly whilst still giving you great feedback through the steering wheel, making it feel nimble and smaller than you'd expect.

  • What's it like inside?

    Bare aluminium, chronograph-like dials and iPod based technology mean the DBS comes across as a very masculine environment. There is plenty of room for driver and passenger, with gorgeous leather and calming blue lights to make the cabin space appealing to everyone. Factor in the climate control and you really will have no reason to even leave your driveway - you'll also find sat-nav to play with, Bluetooth for the phone and a pounding stereo system to rock out with.

  • How reliable is it?

    Look after your DBS and it should stand the test of time. As for looking after you, a paltry two airbags come as standard. Opting for sports seats adds side 'bags, but head 'bags are not an option. There's plenty of technology to keep the car on the road, but the traction control could kick in a little earlier on wet roads.

  • Should I buy one?

    It's just as well the DBS has so many creature comforts because you may need to sell your house to afford it. Unsurprisingly running costs are high, but this is a lightweight performance car and it looks fabulous so you might well think it's worth it. It's a lot more expensive than the DB9 on which it's based, however.