We review the Aston Martin DBS Volante from price to economy and all its features

THERE may be a recession on, but somebody forgot to tell Aston Martin.

They are going on a product offensive, with two stunning new models going on sale, the DBS Volante and the V12 Vantage, with a third – the four-door Rapide – due at the end of the year.

A bit flash ... Ken tries out the new DBS

This is going to be a perfect test of whether the rich and famous really are recession-proof. And it seems they may be.

Aston have a six-month order bank for the V12 and the Volante – which I’ve just driven.

AFTER a week of rain, the sun came out the day Aston’s new soft top arrived — it was like fate.

The new DBS Volante is breathtakingly beautiful. It is one of the most stunning cars ever made.

When people see the DBS Volante they stop, stare and then they smile.

One bloke just looked and said: “Wow, what a car. I’d sell the house and the wife to own that.”

I knew what he meant.

It is a car you want to drive as soon as you see it, and once you are behind the wheel you don’t want to get out.

There are only a handful of cars that make you feel truly special and the DBS Volante is one of them.

This is a British thoroughbred that makes you feel like motoring royalty.

It has power to go with the sensational looks — a 6litre V12 engine with 517bhp. It flashes you from 0-62mph in 4.3 exhilarating seconds and, if you can find the right road, will take you all the way to 191mph.

But, daft as it sounds, the speed is almost irrelevant because you expect an Aston sports car to be very fast.

It is how good the Volante makes you feel that makes it extra special.

It is based on the DBS Coupe but you pay an extra £10,000 for the pleasure of the convertible roof, which takes the price up to £168,000.

That is serious wedge, but you will be in an exclusive club. Aston expect to sell between 300 and 500 a year.

Inside, it is a perfect combination of leather-clad luxury with a sporting edge.

Even the speakers of the Bang & Olufsen stereo system are hand-crafted into the top of the door like a piece of furniture, while extra speakers ease up out of the dash when you switch the system on.

But, good as the stereo sounds, you don’t use it because the sound from under the bonnet is even better.

Use the F1 paddle change on the steering wheel and you are the conductor of the V12 orchestra.

Even the convertible roof is a mini work of art as it glides out of view in 14 graceful seconds.

There is also a wind shield deflector behind the front seats that means you can travel at speed without messing up your hair... if you have any!

It is all part of the Volante experience that makes every drive something to savour.