Aston Martin DB9

Aston Martin DB9

Manufacturer	Aston Martin Lagonda Limited
Production	2004–Present
Assembly	Gaydon, England
Predecessor	Aston Martin DB7
Successor	Aston Martin DBS V12
Class	Grand tourer
Body style	2+2 seat 2-door coupé 2-door convertible
Layout	FR layout
Platform	Aston Martin VH platform
Engine	5.9 L V12
Transmission	6-speed automatic and manual
Wheelbase	2004–05: 107.9 in (2,741 mm) 2006–07: 108.1 in (2,746 mm) 2008–present: 108.0 in (2,743 mm)
Length	2004–05: 184.9 in (4,696 mm) 2006–07: 185.4 in (4,709 mm) 2008–present: 185.5 in (4,712 mm)
Width	2003–08: 73.8 in (1,875 mm) 2009–: 74.0 in (1,880 mm)
Height	Coupe: 50.0 in (1,270 mm) Volante: 51.9 in (1,318 mm)
Related	Aston Martin DBS Aston Martin DBR9 Aston Martin DBRS9 Aston Martin Rapide Aston Martin V8 Vantage Aston Martin V12 Vantage Aston Martin Virage
Designer	Ian Callum Henrik Fisker

The Aston Martin DB9 is a GT sports car launched by Aston Martin in 2004.

The DB9 is the first model to be built at Aston Martin's Gaydon facility in Warwickshire, England. The moniker "DB" stems from the initials of David Brown, the owner of Aston Martin for a significant part of its history. The DB9, which was designed by Ian Callum and finished by his successor, Henrik Fisker, superseded the now-discontinued Aston Martin DB7 (also by Callum) which started production in 1994.

Overview

The Aston Martin DB9 comes in two variants; the coupé and 'Volante' convertible, each producing 470 bhp (350 kW; 477 PS) from a 6.0L V12 engine, originally taken from its sister car the V12 Vanquish. In fact, this V12 engine is why Aston Martin did not call the car the DB8, which could suggest that it has only a V8 engine.^[1] One report states that Aston Martin believed that this car was such a huge leap from the Jaguar XJ-S based DB7 that it named it DB9 instead of DB8, which they thought would indicate a gradual evolution.^[2] The Gaydon facility's production capacity for the DB9 could allow for approximately five thousand units per year, which is roughly the same production volume as other esteemed sports cars, in particular the Ferrari F430 and Porsche 911 Turbo. The DB9, however, is more often compared against other competitors in its segment: the Ian Callum designed Jaguar XKR, the Volkswagen-produced Bentley Continental GT, the ten-cylinder powered BMW M6, and the AMG variants of the Mercedes-Benz SL. Traditionally being a maker of more exclusive automobiles, CEO Dr. Ulrich Bez assures Aston Martin loyalists that production numbers of the DB9 will be slightly higher than previous models; however, Aston Martin will still retain only a small statistical percentage of the high-end sports car market.^[3]

The DB9 is the first Aston Martin model to be designed and developed upon Ford's aluminium VH (vertical/horizontal) platform. The body structure is composed of aluminium and composites melded together by mechanically fixed self-piercing rivets and robotic assisted adhesive bonding techniques.^[4] The innovative bonded aluminium structure possesses more than double the torsional rigidity of its predecessor's, despite being 25 percent lighter.^[4] Aston Martin's engineers designed the quad-cam, 48-valve engine for the V12 Vanquish in collaboration with Ford's Research and Vehicle Technology team (RVT) and were able to reduce its weight by 11.8 kg (26 lb) for use in the DB9.^[4]

Specification

• Base Price: £111,000 Coupe; £124,000 Volante convertible
• Power: 350 kW (476 PS; 469 bhp) (469 hp) @ 6000 rpm^[5]
• Torque: 600 N·m (443 lbf·ft) @ 5000 rpm^[5]
• Weight: 1,760 kg (3,880 lb)^[5]
• 0–60 mph (0–97 km/h): 4.6 seconds^[5]
• 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph): 4.8 seconds^[5]
• Top Speed: 300 kph (186 mph)^[5]

Variants

Aston Martin DB9 Volante, Australia

DB9 Volante

The Aston Martin DB9 Volante is the convertible version of the DB9 coupe. It is built by hand in limited numbers and has enhanced styling. It is powered by the same 6.0 litre, DOHC 48 valve V12 as the DB9 and is completed with 470 bhp (331 kW) and a top speed of 186 mph (300 km/h).^{[citation needed]} Because it is a convertible it will do 0–60 mph in 4.9 seconds,^[6] three-tenths of a second slower than the hard top coupe. The Volante is taller than the hardtop, standing at 51.2 inches (1,300 mm) compared to 50.1 inches (1,270 mm). The transmission options are either the Graziano-sourced six speed manual or the ZF-sourced six speed 'Touchtronic 2' automatic. The DB9 Volante is featured in the television shows Desperate Housewives and Entourage.

DB9 LM

In order to commemorate Aston Martin's victory at the 2007 24 Hours of Le Mans, a special edition of the DB9 was released. Known as the DB9 LM, the car is limited to only 124 examples. All are coupes, and will only be available in a unique color known as Sarthe Silver, named in honour of the Circuit de la Sarthe, where Le Mans is run. The Sports Pack is included, while the brake calipers are painted red and a chromed mesh grill are added.^[7]

Facelift

In 2008, Aston Martin decided to do a facelift to the DB9. Changes include a more powerful engine, re-designed interior and some minor exterior modifications. Exterior modifications include a new front grille, re-designed mirrors which look closer to the DBS supercar made by the same company and all-new wheel designs available for the customers to choose from. Customers also can now select clear tail lights for their DB9, much like the ones in the DBS.

Changes have been made to the engine as well which now produces 20 PS (15 kW; 20 hp) more (470 PS) and 600 N·m (440 lb·ft) through an increased compression ratio in the rethought cylinder heads. The Touchtronic gearbox has been modified as well to make faster and smoother changes. This was possible with the use of a new hydraulic control box. The new gearbox is also said to make parking easier than before. New Bilstein suspension was also added to the car which improved ride quality and handling characteristics.

Interior modifications include a re-designed center console which is identical to the one from the DBS supercar and thicker glass to reduce noise in the cabin.

In 2011, Aston Martin will give the DB9 another minor facelift, changing the front fascia, headlights, taillights, door sills, and wheels. The 2011 DB9 also gets Aston Martin’s Adaptive Damping System as standard equipment (previously an option.)^[8]

Motorsport

The DBR9 which won its class at the 2007 and 2008 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Main articles: Aston Martin DBR9 and Aston Martin DBRS9

The DB9 has been adapted for use in sports car racing by Prodrive. Initially the DBR9 was launched prior to the 2005 season, running in the ACO and FIA's GT1 class. It retains the DB9's 6.0 litre V12 engine, but has been extensively modified to decrease its weight as well as to improve performance.^[9][10] The DBR9 won in its debut at the 2005 12 Hours of Sebring, and has gone on to take wins in the American Le Mans Series, Le Mans Series, FIA GT Championship, as well as the 24 Hours of Le Mans.^[11]

Along with the DBR9, a DBRS9 variant was also developed. This car runs in the GT3 category, mostly used for small national championships as well as the FIA GT3 European Championship. The DBRS9 also uses the standard V12, but is not as highly tuned as the unit in the DBR9. Bodywork modifications are also more subdued.

It weighs 1 tonne (2,200 lb) and does 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 3.4 seconds with a top speed estimated at 200 mph (320 km/h).

Top Gear

On the British automotive show Top Gear the DB9 is thought of highly, notably on the show's "Cool Wall" segment, where the presenters considered it to be "too cool" for the wall and it received its own category, dubbed the "DB9 Sub Zero Fridge" which was in fact a mini-refrigerator with the car's card within it.

References

1. ^ "2008 Aston Martin DB9 Reviews". Forbes Autos. http://www.forbesautos.com/reviews/2008/aston_martin/db9_coupe/review.html. Retrieved 5 July 2008. 
2. ^ "Aston Martin DB9 Overview". Car Gurus. http://www.cargurus.com/Cars/Overview-d908-Aston-Martin-DB9.html. Retrieved 5 July 2008. 
3. ^ "Inside Line Q&A: Aston Martin's Dr. Ulrich Bez". Edmunds: Inside Line. http://www.insideline.com/aston-martin/inside-line-qa-aston-martins-dr-ulrich-bez.html. Retrieved 26 October 2009. 
4. ^ ^{a b c} "2004 Aston Martin DB9". Supercars.net. http://www.supercars.net/cars/2424.html. Retrieved 26 October 2009. 
5. ^ ^{a b c d e f} "Aston Martin – The Cars – DB9 – Specification (official site)". http://www.astonmartin.com/cars/db9-coupe/specs. Retrieved 14 May 2011. 
6. ^ "Aston DB9 Reference". carautoportal.com. http://www.carautoportal.com/aston-martin/aston-martin-db9.php. Retrieved 17 June 2009. 
7. ^ Friday, 7 September 2007 (7 September 2007). "Two more Astons for Frankfurt show". Autocar.co.uk. http://autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/AllCars/227685/. Retrieved 30 September 2010. 
8. ^ "A Dapper, New Aston Martin DB9". Automoblog.net. http://www.automoblog.net/2010/07/01/a-dapper-new-aston-martin-db9/. 
9. ^ Aston Returns to Le Mans, advance news article about DBR9 racing (viewed 18 June 2006)
10. ^ Aston Martin Racing Results (viewed 18 June 2006)
11. ^ "2007 Aston Martin DBR9 Le Mans Winner". Seriouswheels.com. http://www.seriouswheels.com/cars/top-2007-Aston-Martin-DBR9-Le-Mans-Winner.htm. Retrieved 30 September 2010. 

External links

• Aston Martin DB9 – Official Aston Martin webpage
• Aston Martin DBR 9 serial number on Endurance-Series
• TopGear video: DB9 vs Train
• Aston Martin DB9 vs. Ferrari F430 vs. Ford GT vs. Lamborghini Gallardo vs. Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG vs. Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet – Comparison Tests