Aston Martin DB12, Gloss Jet Black

Aston Martin called the DB12 a "super tourer" rather than a grand tourer, and the distinction holds. Built on a stiffened version of the DB11 platform, it carries a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 tuned to around 671 horsepower, paired with retuned steering, a sharper chassis and a cabin finally dragged into the modern era. It is the first of the brand's new-generation cars, the model that set the design and engineering language for the Vanquish and DB12 Volante that followed. The shape reads as a coupe meant for distance rather than a track toy: long bonnet, broad new grille, frameless doors and a fastback rear that tapers into slim tail lights. This example sits on dark multi-spoke wheels with red calipers, the kind of restrained menace the car wears well.

The model is finished in Gloss Jet Black, a deep mirror-like coat that catches the light cleanly along the flanks and across the long rear deck, with the "DB12" script and Aston wings picked out on the boot lid. MotorHelix renders it at 1:18 on a presentation base.