Aston Martin. The name alone conjures up visions of martinis, tuxedos, and high-speed chases through some European countryside. Today, we compare two icons of British automotive royalty with one another: the Aston Martin Vanquish S Ultimate (No. 1 of only 175, mind you!) and it's elegant senior, the Aston Martin V8 Vantage. Think of it as a family showdown - the hot-blooded son versus the dignified dad.

Let’s start with the Vanquish. Though this is no ordinary Vanquish; this is the Ultimate, and it’s not just any one - it’s No. 1 of 175, the firstborn, the heir to the throne. With a 6.0-liter V12 engine that purrs like a tiger with a sore throat, this is the sort of car that doesn’t just get you from A to B - it makes the journey a grand affair. It’s the automotive equivalent of a young gentleman in a tailored Savile Row suit. Every detail screaming sophistication, from its carbon fibre accents to its exclusivity. The kind of car you can easily imagine Mr Bond driving... if he had a solid retirement plan.

Now, meet the V8 Vantage, this late 80s masterpiece is the wise, moustachioed master of style. The de-facto boss of the road. Sporting a smaller, but no less fierce, 7-litre V8, converted by RS Williams. This is the car that Bond piloted in The Living Daylights, turning icy slopes and explosive car chases into a masterclass in cool. The V8 Vantage is nimble, compact, and loves nothing more than tearing through winding roads, or over ski slopes. The most suave of fathers, sipping an Old Fashioned at an exclusive club, wearing a smoking jacket. This car turned Timothy Dalton into the coolest man on earth, it has mystical qualities.

So, what’s the verdict? The Vanquish S Ultimate is the epitome of refined power - a car for those who want to arrive in style. Or is it the V8 Vantage, for those who want to leave in a cloud of class and coolness. Whether you want the elegance of the Vantage or the youthful flair of the Vanquish S, one thing’s for sure: both cars are sure to make you feel like you're on His Majesty’s Secret Service.