2006 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster

Dating back to 1913, British automaker Aston Martin has kept a low profile among ultraluxury cars in the U.S. market except for its spotlight in various James Bond films, including the two recent flicks starring Daniel Craig. Bond's top-of-the-line DBS and the lesser DB9 and V8 Vantage share a platform and follow the same formula: two doors, front engine and rear-wheel drive. This year Aston has added a four-door hatchback model called the Rapide. All of the two-door models are available as convertibles as well as hardtops. While some competitors have become heavy and switched to all-wheel drive, Aston Martins remain comparatively lightweight.Aston is headquartered in Gaydon, Warwickshire, England. After 13 years under Ford Motor Co., Aston Martin was purchased by a group of private investors in 2007.