If you’re a lottery winner or maybe a premier league footballer then maybe money isn’t too much of a concern. You could, with some justification, start window shopping for a Ferrari, Lamborghini or Porsche. Or, if you have exceptionally good taste, an Aston Martin.

The DBS was, by common consent, near perfect. So, the problem for creators of exceptionally good cars is always creating something even better.

Aston Martin has actually come up with two solutions. The first is an all-new, completely different model, taking the expression of every one of Aston Martin’s inherent qualities to a new level, albeit one reserved for just a privileged few – the One-77: larger, lighter, more powerful, faster, more expensive, more exclusive, it’s the new range-topper.

The second route is to start removing parts, namely the roof, to create the DBS Volante. “But I prefer coupes,” some of you will no doubt observe. “So how is the Volante a better model for me?”

Again, tough question. But the answer is simple. With the Volante’s roof down you can hear even more of that epic V12 engine.

Anyone with a passing interest in cars will struggle to subdue a smile on hearing it. Performance car fans will get sweaty palms.

As with the DBS coupe, 62mph is achieved in 4.3 seconds and it will go on to almost 200mph. Great if you’re German or own an airfield.

The really big improvement that separates the DBS range from the scintillating DB9 line-up is the additional taught and responsive feel you get from the DBS.

The Volante retains 75 per cent of the Coupe’s structural rigidity. Scuttle shake is no doubt a dirty word in the bowels of Aston Martin’s Gaydon facility.

The tweaked chassis means drivers can more easily exploit the DBS Volante’s 510bhp, roof up or down. The transaxle design makes for even weight distribution combining with firm suspension boasting computer-controlled and constantly-adapting dampers to keep the car in check through the corners.

Interestingly, torque is actually lower than from the less powerful DB9 V12, but with 85 per cent available from just 1500rpm all the way to the red line, there’s always more than enough available to edge the tail out where desired.

As are the looks. The DB9 remains one of the few soft tops to look as good with the roof in place as it does roof down. The DBS Volante is, naturally, no different. The improved roof mechanism means it now drops in just 14 seconds at speeds of up to 30 mph.

As with the coupe, DBS embossed leather seats, tasteful carbon fibre additions and an outstanding Bang & Olufsen sound system that monitors the occupants to deliver the best sound quality using pop-up tweeters and a carefully crafted sound stage come as standard.

Yet even Bang & Olufsen struggle to compete with the DBS V12’s own soundtrack. Roof down and engine dancing, the Aston Martin DBS Volante is a uniquely intoxicating experience.

PRICE: £175,681 on the road.

ENGINE: 6.0-litre petrol unit developing 510bhp and 420lb/ft via six-speed manual transmission, driving the rear wheels.

PERFORMANCE: Maximum speed 191mph, 0-62mph in 4.3 seconds.

COSTS: 18.2mpg.

EMISSIONS: 388g/km.