down it drowns out most of the wind
noise and assaults your ears in such a way
you can only react with a wide,
uncontrollable grin. Each bank of
cylinders on the hand-assembled V8 has a
4-2-1 exhaust manifold � more usually
found on race cars � and it all helps to
create the musical accompaniment Aston
describes as `rousing.' Well, that's one
way of putting it.
Road rocket
In a straight line then, it's a rocket �
60mph will come up in 4.7 seconds and,
depending on your levels of bravery and
police activity in your area, 180mph is
achievable. Power delivery comes in a
clean line of torque. There's no wayward
kick or whiplash-inducing jolt, just an
insistent and constant surge that affords
the driver the ability to effortlessly
dismiss lesser vehicles with a mere flex of
the right foot.
With the roof raised, it's a different
beast. The fabric top seals perfectly,
creating a cosseting atmosphere and
shutting out the elements. You can still
hear the exquisite exhaust note, but such
that it becomes a background to your
passenger's patter, or the awesome 160w
Aston Martin sound system.
Top gear
Our car was fitted with Aston's Sportshift
gearbox, a �3,000 option, which still uses
the same transaxle, except with sequential,
column-mounted paddle shifters.
It's a system that has come on in leaps
and bounds since the early days of
paddleshifters. Upshifting is smooth if
you ease the throttle in properly, and the
throttle blips on the downshift are an
aural treat. Engaging reverse is done via
a dash-mounted button, so parking
won't be a rapid manoeuvre and too
much shunting back and forth will leave
the unmistakeable aroma of a stressed
clutch on the breeze.
Designed from the start with an open
version in mind, removing the roof
makes little discernible difference to the
structural rigidity of the chassis; the
Roadster's suspension is actually stiffer
than the Coup� version's.
27
Through a corner, the suspension is
well damped and controls the body
movements with little fuss. It corners flat,
and more or less limitless grip means you
can corner at speeds that are frankly
terrifying. The steering is quick and
precise, and stopping is courtesy of quad-
piston ventilated and grooved steel discs.
At �93,000, it's not a cheap way to get
around, and with a combined economy
of 18.8mpg, you'll also be asking for
petrol vouchers for Christmas. You won't
mind though, because it's fuelling one of
the finest engines on the market today.
The Roadster is a good deal more
expensive than some of its rivals, but the
exclusivity more than makes up for the
cost � rarely does anyone turn to watch a
Porsche 911 rattle by; a fanfare, perhaps,
for the common man.
Rivals fail to warm the heart in the way
an Aston Martin ruffling past does, and
it's high time there was a light, agile and
awesomely powerful convertible out there
bearing the famous wings on its nose. It's
the Aston the world has been waiting for,
and it's a masterpiece.
THE ROADTRIP
Destination: Goodwood Race Circuit
Stomping ground of Lord March, Goodwood in
Sussex is a Champagne cork's pop from the
legendary Rolls Royce factory, and expensive
playgrounds don't come much better than
this. With a stuffed calendar of driving days
and world-famous events, including the
Festival of Speed and the Revival, it's
petrolhead heaven for every type of enthusiast.
Tel: 01243 755055
SatNav postcode: PO18 0PX
Eat at: The Fox Goes Free, Charlton
Just up the A286 from Goodwood is the
charming Downland village of Charlton, and here
is The Fox Goes Free, a 17th century flint and
brick inn with excellent ales, traditional food and
a real country pub atmosphere.
For more information, tel: 01243 811461
Also stop at:
If you've had enough of mechanical
horsepower, why not stop at the Weald and
Downland open air museum (01243 811363)
and check out the real thing? Working
animals, including Shire horses are based at
this historic Singleton attraction.
For something more peaceful, cruise along to
the miles of beautiful beaches of the
Witterings for views across the Channel.

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