Warwickshire-based Aston Martin (www.astonmartin.com) series production of the new hand-built Vantage earlier this month, with the first car coming off the production line at its Gaydon factory.

CEO Andy Palmer said: “This is an exciting moment for the company and an important day in the history of Aston Martin.

“The Vantage was the single most successful model in Aston Martin’s history, and we believe that its successor will surpass that.

“We will do this by retention of our important existing owners and through repositioning of the car, creating new customers in new countries.

“The new Vantage ticks all the boxes for a luxury sports car and unashamedly aspires to be the best in its segment.

"With the imminent launch of the DBS Superleggera, we are on track to replace each of our existing two-door sports car models by the end of this year.”

Marking the start of production, Business Secretary Greg Clark, said: “Aston Martin is an iconic brand that is an integral part of Britain’s proud automotive heritage.

"The new Vantage is a British-built car exemplifying the skill and innovation that set the UK automotive sector apart from its competitors.”

The new Aston Martin Vantage joins the Rapide S, the DB11 family and the soon to be launched DBS Superleggera.

It is the second in a line of seven new models to be launched over a period of seven years, in line with the 105-year-old company’s Second Century Plan.