ASTON Martin's new DBS, recently unveiled at Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance but which had a fleeting if dramatic cameo role in the Bond film Casino Royale, came face-to-face with the Le Mans class-winning DBR9 at an exclusive test day at the Nurburgring.

The DBS was in Germany for a final sign-off drive at the Nurburgring's Nordschleife circuit at the same time as the Aston Martin Racing DBR9 and other customer race teams were enjoying an exclusive Aston Martin test session on the Grand Prix circuit.

With the next public appearance of the DBS scheduled for the Frankfurt Motor Show in a fortnight, the car underwent a final sign-off drive from Aston Martin chief executive officer Dr Ulrich Bez.

The DBS adopts a series of race-derived materials and components, taking inspiration from the successful DBR9. It is powered by an Aston Martin 6.0 litre V12, an enhanced version of which is used in both the DBR9 and DBRS9 race cars. In the DBS it produces 510bhp for a top speed of 191mph and a 0-62mph time of 4.3 seconds.

Like the race cars, the DBS also uses Aston Martin's class-leading lightweight bonded aluminium structure that provides outstanding strength and rigidity.

The DBS will be built at Aston Martin's global headquarters at Gaydon, near Warwick, joining the current Aston Martin line-up and available in the spring. Prices are to be announced at the Frankfurt show.