007 HEAVEN; The Aston Martin DBS is the supercar Bond fans would die for.

Byline: Graeme Lennox

DRIVING James Bond's Aston Martin is the stuff of dreams for most petrolheads but the prospect of losing control on wet roads was the stuff of nightmares for me.

However, I wouldn't have been the first person to write off 160 grand's worth of supercar if I had come off the twisting country roads at any point during my test drive in the Borders last week.

Mechanic Fraser Dunn hit the headlines last year when he lost control of one and plunged into an Italian lake while filming the latest Bond movie, Quantum Of Solace.

The 29-year-old skidded off the road near Italy's Lake Garda, where the movie was being shot.

In a scene that would have graced any 007 epic, he regained consciousness stuck inside the car at the bottom of the lake but somehow managed to break free and swim to safety with only a few bruises and damaged ego to show for his ordeal.

Our Aston Martin host in Peebles, Kim Palmer, made the call to Fraser's wife that day to let her know he'd had a miracle escape.

His parting words as he tossed me the key to a sportscar worth more than the average house were: "Be very careful."

Driving along unfamiliar, wet roads in a flying machine that can do 190mph and zero to 62mph in 4.3 seconds - what could possibly go wrong? First thing I did was check the glove box to see if Daniel Craig had left the heart defibrillator that saved his life in Casino Royale. But then again, if I wrecked pounds 168,000 worth of motor, my life would not be worth living anyway.

Hi-tech first-aid equipment wasn't the only thing missing- someone had pinched the roof. In fact, I was driving the new softtop, or Volante version of the DBS, and it looked every bit as stunning as the hardtop.

We might not be able to match St Tropez or Monaco for weather but we certainly boast some world-class roads. The vast Gatso-free stretches of A-road that run through the Borders are perfect for airing the lungs of an athlete like the DBS and it wasn't long before I was hearing the marvellous roar of the 510bhp engine.

I could have spent all day cruising alongside St Mary's Loch on the A708 with the roof down just listening to the V12 burble echo off the hillside.

And there was certainly no suggestion I would end up in the drink as the DBS's advanced driver aids and razor-sharp handling kept the mighty engine in check. All I needed was Olga Kurylenko in a little black Thrilling: The new DBS has a luxurious look and feel thanks to the Bridge of Weir Leather interior dress at my side and I was in car heaven.

Astons are for people with cash who like to show off - in the most understated way, of course. And we Scots can stake claim to making that magic happen thanks to the sumptuous Bridge of Weir Leather interior which is up there with the best in the world.

I always found Astons pretentious. Any car that has a key fob that looks like one of the crystals from Superman's Fortress of Solitude has to be.

And what about the ridiculous speedo that hits 60mph at the same point most cars have their 10mph mark? However, after few exhilarating hours living the 007 dream, I realised my disapproval was motivated by green-eyed jealousy and the DBS Volante is THE car I want on my driveway when I win the lottery.

TECHSPEC Price: pounds 167,851 0-62mph: 4.3 seconds Top speed: 191mph.

Economy: 18.2mpg Equipment: Leather sports seats, powered fabric roof, rear parking sensors, 19-inch alloys, Bang & Olufsen stereo

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Licensed to thrill: Sunday Mail man Graeme gets to be James Bond for a day