2008 L.A. Auto Show -- production cars

2009 Aston Martin DBS w/Touchtronic

Overview: Gotta love an Aston Martin DBS. Especially now that it has the optional Touchtronic 2 transmission. It’s a six-speed automatic replete with the facility to pull magnesium alloy, leather-trimmed paddles which are mounted on the steering column to select ratios. Or the driver can just leave it in D. There’s also a Sport mode in which the gear is held longer before shifting up and then blips the throttle to match engine revs when down-shifting.

Our take: Not so long ago, the preferred option would have been a manual, but this type of transmission now offers the best of both worlds.

-- Colin Ryan

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