The Vanquish is the last survivor of the way Aston Martin used to do things. It's hand-built and ultra-exclusive, especially as Vanquish manufacture ended in the summer of 2007, many will still mourn the passing of the last old-school Aston.

The Vanquish's design has aged well, with external styling still having the ability to form crowds of qawping spectators wherever it goes. Space is good for the two front occupants, with Aston also offering the sensible option of a luggage-ledge in place of the nominal rear "two-plus-two" seats.

The V12 engine gives massive performance and a wonderful soundtrack. The six speed manual transmission is operated by F1 style paddles mounted on the steering wheel column. It can change gear in approximately 250 milliseconds – or the blink of an eye.

The Vanquish is unmistakably Aston Martin. It is elegant, powerful and dynamic. But there is also a little hint of menace in this classic Aston Martin design, with a dynamic tension in its shape, accentuated by the rear flanks and their almost animal muscularity.

The Aston Martin Vanquish offers traditional Aston Martin style and a real depth of time-honoured British craftsmanship. But these skills are combined with modern ingenuity. The result is the Aston Martin Vanquish, a car unlike any other.