Worthy of James Bond

ASTON MARTIN Aston Martin's V8 Vantage offers outstanding performance and the level of luxury only found on automobiles hand-assembled and finished. Luxury performance carmaker Aston Martin says that at the heart of every great sports car is a great engine. The company's V8 Vantage model upholds this axiom. But additionally, the Vantage is one of the most beautiful pieces of machinery that you could ever find rolling down a highway. Factor in its superb performance, and you've got an auto lover's fantasy. Also, Aston Martin maintains a relatively low profile, so people seeing the car often don't know what they're looking at. But they almost always can tell it's something special.

The V8 Vantage offers tremendous speed — how about 0-60 in 4.9 seconds and a potential top speed of 175 mph. It makes 380 horsepower and 302 pounds-feet of torque. Its engine is built for high performance but also offers responsiveness even when not being pushed hard. The roaring sound of the engine when revved is glorious.

The outstanding performance comes from great body rigidity. Aston Martin says it uses lightweight alloys, magnesium and advanced composites to keep the weight down. Its handling seems so intuitive when you take twists and turns in the road.

Just because it's a sports car doesn't mean it skimps on safety. The V8 Vantage has front and rear crumple zones that absorb crash impact and dual-stage air bags for driver and passenger. Also, there is dynamic stability control to prevent loss of traction, electronic brake force distribution for braking balance and positive torque control.

Aston Martins are hand-assembled and finished, and that craftsmanship is quite evident. The quality materials used throughout the interior contribute to the overall richness of the vehicle. Plus, there's actually an element of practicality in the V8 Vantage, which isn't a given among sports cars. For instance, there's a fairly deep storage area under the hatchback. The center console is neatly arranged. The premium audio system is terrific.

But be prepared to make a few stops at the pump. The Vantage gets 13 mpg city and 20 highway.

The V8 Vantage is 172.5 inches long, 80 inches wide, 49.5 inches tall, has a wheelbase of 102.5 inches, a 62-inch front track, a 61.5- inch rear track, a 36.5-foot turning radius, a 21.2-gallon fuel tank and a curb weight of 3,595 pounds. The tester's optional equipment included 19-inch seven-spoke wheels, a wind deflector, satellite navigation, Bluetooth capabilities and red brake calipers.

DID YOU KNOW:

The 2006 James Bond movie "Casino Royale" featured an Aston Martin DBS.