· Baby Aston Stunning new two-seater caught on its first outing.
· V8 drives the rear wheels for a Porsche 911-challenging 5.0sec 0-60mph
time.
· On sale by end of 2004

2004. THAT IS when this baby Aston Martin - Britain's answer to the
Porsche 911 - will arrive. And the two-seater V8 may be called DB5 in honour
of the most famous Aston of all. From the look of these world exclusive photographs by the British magazine Autocar spies, the new car is going to be worth the wait; the pictures offer a tantalising glimpse of what Aston expects to be the hottest, most beautiful and best-handling £70,000 sports car in the world.

The company's new design chief, Dane Henrik Fisker, explains: "We need to go back to our roots and make a real sports car".

While the look draws on classic Astons for inspiration, the driving experience promises to be cutting-edge. The engineers are seeking to replace the traditional heavy-duty muscle car feel with a lighter, sportier character.

Our scoop photographers caught the still-top secret car just minutes into the DB5's first gentle cruise by daylight, its chequer tape-covered body panels creating only a light disguise. For a car that won't be unveiled until autumn 2004, it is very early to be out in public.

The sharp new styling with a more modern interpretation of classic Aston looks. It also means a front mid-engined mechanical layout and a size not very different from today's DB7.

FACTS
· New baby Aston
· Codenamed AM305
· 4.4-litre V8 engine
· Rear-drive transmission,
· 5.0 sec sprint to 60mph
· Top speed of 185mph
· Launch: 2004
· £70,000

Photos by Autocar

Images:
1. New baby Aston the size, same basic style as previous DB7.
2. Big rear wing – but it will not be mounted on the production car, we are sure.
3. Test car with known wheels.
4. Previous Aston Martin DB7.


NEXT PAGE: The very spy image