It wasn’t even a world debut – that was last month at the prestigious Pebble Beach event in California – but such is the charisma of this resurgent British brand that the crowds surged around for the first public unveiling of the shapely Aston Martin DBS this side of the Atlantic.

Though its introduction is concurrent with the end of Vanquish production, Aston doesn’t want you to think of the DBS as a replacement for that ferocious beast of a car. It is, they say, “a completely different animal: with more sensitivity, more comfort, more quality.” And it’s designed to fulfil a specific and different role: bridge the gap between the DB9 road car and its full blown racing development, the DBR9.

Based on the DB9, but thoroughly upgraded, the DBS is lighter, with extensive use of carbon fibre body panels and the first use of carbon ceramic brakes in an Aston road car (which alone saves 12.5kg); it’s more agile, with a wider front track, aerodynamic 20-inch wheels, specially developed Pirelli tyres, a redesigned bumper, air splitter, diffuser, and a larger boot spoiler; and it’s more powerful, with the 6.0-litre 510-hp (517PS) V12 engine fitted with re-profiled air inlet ports and other output-boosting refinements. Even the steering wheel and carpets are revised, while lightweight Kevlar and carbon-fibre seats based on aircraft technology are an option.

The DBS has a rather unusual starting system – instead of a key, it has a jewel-like sapphire and steel fob. When placed in a recess in the dashboard, it glows red “in delicious anticipation of the glorious sound of the V12 engine.”

According to its maker, the car is “a seductive blend of refinement and raw power... the ultimate expression of Aston Martin’s engineering and technical ability.” Marketers are overly fond of describing their latest product as the “ultimate”. Well, whether or not it’s the last word in automotive achievement, the DBS is certainly an intoxicating cocktail: aloof yet emotionally powerful, it’s a classy and exclusive mix of high tech and tradition, analogue and digital, engineering and craftsmanship, luxury and restrained aggression. The ideal car, in fact, for Mr Bond – cool but not cold-blooded. 

Also announced at Frankfurt is a special edition Jaeger LeCoultre AMVOX2 DBS watch. Available only to DBS owners, it contains a transponder that will unlock and start the car – all very Bond. At €22,000, it makes a pricy but hard-to-resist accessory for the €240,000 DBS.

However, if the DBS is not for you, there were two special editions on the Aston stand to consider instead.

Marginally more modest, but visually very similar to the DB9, the V8 Vantage N400 is an upgraded version of Aston’s V8-engined car. It has been created to mark the car’s success in the 24-hour race organised at the famous Nurburgring circuit by Germany’s ADAC motoring club, where the N400 recently breached the significant 8-minute lap barrier.

On the other hand, you could have an even more uncompromising sports car. The DB9 LM Coupe is a DBR9-based model with additional content and a unique colour and trim package, inspired by another sporting triumph – the DBR9’s GT1 class victory at the Le Mans 24-hour endurance race this June.