BUILDING a soft-top version of a coupe is only natural. But to make one that is sportier than the coupe is almost unheard of. That is what Aston Martin has done with the Vantage Roadster.

Apart from exotic carbon-fibre cars, the new Roadster has the strongest body among production open-top cars. Like all modern Astons, it is built using an aluminium space frame chassis that offers class-leading rigidity.

While most convertibles are softer versions of coupes, Aston Martin has managed to deliver even sharper handling in the Roadster, thanks largely to its chassis' ability to cope with a suspension that is 15 per cent firmer than the coupe's.

The result is a car that is such a delight to drive fast on the challenging mountain roads around Povence.

The Roadster's inherent handling balance starts with its mid-mounted front engine layout. Most of the mass of its V8 rests well behind the front axle. And with a rear trans-axle that is really a gearbox combined with the rear differential, the Roadster is conferred with near ideal weight distribution between the front and rear axles.

Each of the double wishbone suspension members only needs to cope with the mass between them and not the weight that hangs over the front or rear.

Obviously, the Roadster's biggest selling point is its stunning styling. The lines of the Vantage coupe lend itself so readily to a topless form. From its pert tail to its sharp purposeful snout, the Roadster looks so right.

While its beauty is a pleasant distraction, the most captivating part of the car is actually its engine. Not in terms of sheer horsepower, as 380bhp from 4.3 litres is merely modest as far as supercars go. But how those horses sound in full gallop is downright intoxicating.

This V8 is tuned to be very quiet when spinning below 4,000rpm - more than adequate for wafting through sleepy towns. But once opened up, the exhaust bark is the best-sounding in the business. It is neither guttural nor shrill, but measured, with the right timbre and attack.

While the exhaust system is the same as the one in the coupe, it sounds so much better in open air.

The Roadster is no slouch. With a paddle-shift robotised six-speed transmission called Sportshift, the Vantage Roadster zips to 100kmh in five seconds flat - matching the six-speed manual coupe's sprint, despite a slight weight penalty.

Both cars are now available with either auto or manual gearboxes.

Thanks to its compact dimensions and precise steering, the car feels secure and nimble.

The Roadster can be placed with unerring precision, carving up the French country roads with commensurate ease. Yet it displays impeccable poise and composure even when driven over poorly-paved roads. This is surprising for an open-top car, especially one so heavily-sprung.

In summing up, the Roadster delivers wind-in-hair motoring without sacrificing one bit of the coupe's balanced performance. Amazing, even for James Bond's marque.

Price: $582,000 without COE
Engine: 4,280cc 32-valve V8
Transmission: Six-speed robotised manual
Power: 380bhp at 7,000rpm
Torque: 410Nm at 5,000rpm
0-100kmh: 5 seconds
Top speed: 280kmh
Fuel consumption: 22.5 litres/100km (city)
Agent: Aston Martin Lagonda

At the launch of the Coupe in 2005, Aston Martin stated its power peaked at 7,300rpm and its fuel consumption was 25.2 litres/100km in city mode