What's the news?

Aston Martin is showing off four bespoke models created by Q division - which is not some branch of AM in which an old man dodders about telling off 007 for messing around with oblique gadgetry (ah, God bless Desmond Llewellyn), but is in fact a personalisation service offered by the upmarket brand.

In conjunction with a US dealer partner, the four Q cars are based on the DB9 Volante, the V12 Vantage S and both iterations of the Vanquish. The quartet is designed to visually demonstrate to potential customers exactly how far they can go with the personalisation options of the Q programme.

Beginning with the Vanquishes, the Coupé is finished in Q-exclusive Abor Orange paint on an enlarged carbon fibre weave body structure. There's a 'Helix' carbon theme within to complement the exterior, with the design running along the headliner and through the door panels. The open-top Vanquish is Frost Silver with graphite 10-spoke alloys, with matching polished brake callipers and silver AM wings and Q badges.

The DB9 is Ashen Blonde with polished alloys, while a 'blush peark' leather interior with Piano Ice Mocha fascia with blanket stitching down the spine of the cabin is finished with a pink Rhodachrosite stone in the Q buckle badge on the console. The Vantage S, meanwhile, is purple amethyst outside with purple detailing within; crikey!

Anything else?

Marek Reichman, AM's director of design, said: "Our Q by Aston Martin personalisation service offers customers the ability to work closely with the design team to create a very personal car, synthesising individual visions with the considerable craftsmanship skills and expertise at our disposal."

Matt Robinson - 11 Aug 2014