Test Drive | Page 40

POWER AUTO E ROTIC A R ating the merits of various sports cars is a tricky business. With their ever-expanding engine sizes and definitive high performance, the big boys in the industry know that, to compete, they must produce cars with adrenalin-inducing technology, incredible performance and mouth-watering looks, which remain comfortable enough for a trip to the local shops. No mean feat. Striking this precarious balance means that all but a handful of marques appeal to their wealthy clientele. Cue Ferrari and Aston Martin, two of the most distinguished representatives of the automotive industry. The competition between these two heavyweights began in 1959, when Aston Martin achieved victory at Le Mans, followed by the debut of the DB4GT at the London Motor Show the following year. 'Rivalry was intense, as Aston broke Ferrari’s winning streak,' notes Aston Martin historian Nick Candee. Fast-forward 50 years, and while the current technology may be a far cry from their classic counterparts, the Aston Martin–Ferrari rivalry is no less intense. While representing the very best engineering in the b W6