Driving trio of Aston Martins is a royal treat

The trio of coupes is phenomenal. But I expected that. These cars feel like old money, blueblood kind of machines -- though Aston Martin welcomes nouveau riche customers as well.

My surprise came at how well they perform and the subtle -- and not so subtle -- differences between them. Like most high-end luxury sports cars, the first things you see are the similarities; then, the differences start to reveal themselves.

For the 2010 model year, Aston Martin has made a number of changes to the coupes.

The DB9 was tweaked in a couple of places, including upgrading the electrical system, boosting the air conditioning and revising the navigation system. There also is a new door mirror design, and the sports seat headrest profile was changed. More pronounced changes include the optional clear taillights and polished alloy sill tread plate.

The biggest addition to this car was the 1,000-watt Bang & Olufsen audio system, which is incredibly clear, even at 150 mph.

Much of what makes the stereo is the absolute silence in the cabin at just about any speed. The only thing you hear is either piped through the speakers or that rumbling V-12 engine purring at first and then awakening with a roar.

Engines project refinement

During my afternoon of testing, I never grew tired of any of the car's engines, particularly the Vantage, the smallest engine in the bunch with a lusty warble to the note of its 4.7-liter 420-horsepower engine. Gritty and refined, it sounds like Queen Elizabeth I is behind the wheel ready to take on the whole Armada. (If you check your history books, she won.)

On the road course, the Hammerhead Silver Vantage tore through the corners and never backed down. While the V8 Vantage may be the most affordable Aston Martin, costing $118,650, it's a hoot on the highway or curvy roads. The six-speed manual transmission pushes through the gears quickly and smoothly.

Even on a three-mile oval track, the Vantage roared, hitting speeds over 150 mph. It feels like it pushes itself down even harder against the road as it goes faster. Still, it remains quiet enough that you can hear the air conditioning humming quietly along. (Even when you're testing these cars, there's no sense in doing so in an undignified hot car.)

For the new model year, the V8 Vantage changes out its grille for a six-bar version that gives it a meaner look.

DBS has a special feeling

But nothing is more menacing than the DBS. The mother of all Astons, the DBS out performs, outguns and just feels more special from a brand that specializes in that feeling. It's simply incredible.

Sitting in the deep leather driver's seat, looking at the two big gauges behind the wheel, you notice the tachometer and speedometer needle move in opposite directions. The tach, on the right, moves counterclockwise, and the speedometer moves clockwise. The idea is to have the needles follow a similar path, and if you're driving fast and hard, the needles look like mirror images of each other.

The 6-liter V-12 roars with civility and power, while the six-speed touchtronic transmission pushes effortlessly through the gears. The active dampening systems help the body remain still through hard corners and provide an excellent ride.

Really, there's nothing to complain about. This car is perfection from every angle. Inside, it's elegant; on the road, it's well mannered, with more performance parts than you may ever use or need. Outside, it's a work of art. The hard lines and slender body make the DBS worth every penny of its $270,000 price tag.

During a test of the carbon ceramic brakes, I managed to get the DBS quickly up to 120 mph and then stood on the brake. The car stopped almost immediately, the complex traction and stability control kept it in a perfectly controlled straight line. The first time you test the brakes like that, you just want to do it again.

No matter which one of these beautiful machines you drive, the feeling is the same. The leather-wrapped dash and long curves throughout. The Emotion Control Unit of stainless steel and sapphire that acts as the key. Just slide it into the slot on the dash and push it down to awaken any one of these cars.

Perhaps it's their British heritage that makes these Aston Martins stand out with a regal stance and aristocratic interior. Royalty may run through Aston Martin's bloodline, but its performance leaves the most lasting impression.

sburgess@detnews.com (313) 223-3217