The V8 Vantage has always been a favourite in the LUSSO office for a small supercar. It just never had the power to kick it into the true supercar league with the Ferraris and Lamborghinis. But now Aston have squeezed a V12 engine into the car.

This gives 510bhp and 420lb of torque, powering the car to 190mph and 0-60 in 4.2 seconds. So not quite in LP640 territory, but when the car is that achingly beautiful, a few tenths of a second are nothing to worry about.

The new V12 Vantage will be a lot more agile than previous Astons, yet retain the daily usability of the current Vantage.

Official unveiling will take place at the Geneva Motor Show on the 3rd March 2009.

www.astonmartin.com.