Aston Martin DB7

The button is one of several revisions made to the DB7 for the 2002 model year. At the suggestion of customers, most are inside, so there are updated circular switches on the dash, better seats with more adjustment and headroom, plus a different steering wheel and larger footwell.

There's no doubt that the changes make the Aston easier to live with, especially for large drivers. The seats are squarer at shoulder height to give greater support, and they slide back further, too, meaning six-footers no longer have their legs crushed against the steering wheel. Meanwhile, by simply making the brake pedal smaller, you can now operate the pedals independently - which wasn't possible in the previous model once you grew out of child-size shoes.

Numerous other interior revisions are designed to give a more distinctive look, too, but overall they can't disguise the fact that this once-great car is now feeling past its prime.

The DB7 is suitably engaging to drive, but mainly because you have to concentrate hard all the time to maintain a decent pace. A heavy clutch and obstructive manual gearbox mean you need to manhandle the transmission just to change gear, while the steering is too sharp just off the straight ahead and a little woolly at cruising speeds.

The handling requires a considerate touch, too. No one would expect an Aston to be a pussycat, but, with that heavy engine pinning the front wheels down, it's always the rear end that loses traction first. This isn't helped by the over-stiff suspension. Although it aids body control at high speed, the ride is not good enough around town, and the amount of scuttle shake on this Volante version is surprising.

What should be the DB7's major weapon - the 420bhp 6.0-litre V12 - even sounds a bit too muted compared with the same engine in the Vanquish. We'd recommend the sports exhaust option to get your money's worth. The DB7 is still one of the most beautiful and desirable cars in the world, but even with the revisions for the 2002 model it's not good enough to beat a Mercedes SL, or Jaguar's XKR, never mind a Ferrari 550. If you can afford it, we'd advise saving up for the Vanquish instead - it's good enough to match the best, without relying on styling or the Aston badge for its appeal. And it's also got that Batman button.

Numerous interior revisions make the DB7 far easier to live with day-to-day, and, at last, more comfortable for large drivers. But despite a superb engine and gorgeous looks, the Aston has fallen behind rivals dynamically and isn't good enough to justify the huge price tag any longer. Only those who crave the exclusivity of the Aston badge would choose the DB7 over a Mercedes SL.

At a glance

* Revised Aston Martin DB7 for 2002 model year on sale now

* Coupe priced at ί¿½96,250, Volante convertible at ί¿½103,750