Aston Martin claims its new Vanquish Volante is the fastest and most powerful front-engined convertible on the planet. With 824 hp, a 0-62 mph time of 3.4 seconds, and a 214 mph top speed, it will smoke even AMG’s most exclusive speedster—the PureSpeed.

Does the world really need another two-seat convertible that goes like stink and costs upwards of half a million dollars? Of course not. And that’s why it’s a counterintuitive and delectable delight to announce the arrival of the newest thoroughbred in Aston Martin’s historic stable,

PH has an Aston Martin Vanquish on test at the moment. There’s a full UK verdict to follow, but hopefully it won’t come as too much of a surprise to discover that it’s pretty fabulous; the praise heaped upon the V12 last year was more than justified.