Aston Martin DB9 vs. Bentley Continental GT vs. Ferrari 612 Scaglietti vs. Mercedes-Benz CL65 AMG - Engine - Luxury Sport Coupes Comparison

Also new to market is Aston Martin's latest future James Bond mobile, the DB9. It's based on high-tech chassis architecture that'll be shared with the upcoming AM V8, and later, the next-generation Vanquish. Its 5.9-liter, naturally aspirated V-12 is the weak sister of this well-bred bunch, cranking out "just" 444 horsepower. Choose between a conventional six-speed manual transmission and a six-speed automatic with its own shifter paddles. A convertible Volante version will arrive soon (Motor Trend, September 2005); for now, a highly optioned example such as ours will set you back to the tune of $175,700, including $230 for an umbrella.

The Continental GT has been a double shot of nitrous for Bentley. This well-toned coupe delivers stunning specs and style at a price point this marque hasn't played in for decades and allows this most traditional of nameplates to enter new psychographic territories. Outfitted in a conservative color and factory rolling stock, it's the sporting gentleman's transport. Wearing black, a set of 24-inch Dubs, and a limo-tint window job, the Continental GT is the latest darling among the record producer and hip-hop crowd. At 5260 pounds, it's the heaviest, although not the longest, here. Its unique W-12 engine wears twin turbos and puts power to the ground through a six-speed automatic transmission and standard, full-time all-wheel drive. Much of its chassis, powertrain, and systems architecture is shared with VW Group cousins (Audi A8, Volkswagen Phaeton). Fear not: It's all done to an exceptional standard and is, in every sense, a legit Bentley. This sharing of bits also is what allows a car like this to cost $170,971--the lowest sticker on this lot.

How do they sound? The Ferrari is quieter than most (see sidebar), befitting the 612's station as a flagship GT. We'd go for 10 to 15 percent more rumble, and it would add a lot without becoming overbearing. That said, it hums like the thoroughbred it is and responds well to your right foot. The Mercedes V-12 sounds like a high-precision electric turbine, if there were such a thing. The turbos mask much of its exhaust note unless you're heavy into boost, but it has a rich burble that sounds expensive.

The DB9 sounds similar to an old-school V-12: a deep idle, a fruity roar at part throttle, and a race-bred moan at high revs. It's the loudest of the group, but as the smallest and perhaps sportiest, it fits. It isn't as sweet during shifts, but we'd bet the manual-trans version sounds just right. The Bentley ends up gurgling like a giant subwoofer. It's quiet at higher revs, but settles into the deepest thrum we've ever heard from an automobile at idle. Even the starter whirs with smoothness and precision. Turn the key in a parking garage, and the bassy echo will set off neighboring car alarms.