Aston Martin V8 Roadster

Here's one trailer that Aston Martin fans have been desperate to see - and it's not for the new James Bond film!

Auto Express Car Reviews

V8 Roadster was caught with hood up while being transported in US

By Sam Hardy

13th September 2006

Snapped by a spy photographer in the US, these pictures are of the firm's new cabriolet, the V8 Roadster.

Following our world exclusive in Issue 905, the new shots show the car with its electric roof raised for the first time. The fabric hood blends in perfectly with the lines of the Vantage base model. However, with only a small glass rear window and thick pillars, it's likely that over-the-shoulder visibility will be compromised with the roof in place. But that will surely be forgotten once the top is down, giving owners even more chance to enjoy the roar of the Roadster's 4.3-litre V8 engine. This should propel the Aston from 0-60mph in five seconds and on to a maximum speed of 175mph.

The car is set to be officially revealed at the Los Angeles Motor Show in Nov-ember, and UK sales should start in the spring, with a price of around £85,000.

The new Vantage is the most successful Aston Martin ever, with annual production expected to reach 3,000 - and the launch of the cabriolet is guaranteed to add to that tally.