The Aston Martin DB9 is a grand tourer launched by Aston Martin in 2004 and is the first new car to be built at Aston's Gaydon facility. The name "DB" stems from David Brown, the owner of Aston Martin for a sizeable part of its history. This model, which was designed by Ian Callum and finished by his successor, Henrik Fisker, superseded the now-discontinued Aston Martin DB7 (also by Callum) which started production in 1994.
The DB9 comes in two variants; coupé and "Volante" convertible, each with a 6.0 L 450 brake horsepower (335 kW) V12 engine taken from its sister car the V12 Vanquish. The Vanquish engine produces 10 bhp (7 kW) more. In fact, this V12 engine is why Aston Martin did not call the car the DB8, which could suggest that it has only eight cylinders. 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. As of 2004 production is expected be up to five thousand units a year which is roughly the same as its rivals, in particular the Ferrari F430 and Porsche 911 Turbo. This car was designed to ensure Aston Martin's continued survival into 21st century in light of its past financial troubles. Traditionally being a maker of more exclusive automobiles, CEO, Dr. Ulrich Bez assures Aston loyalists' that production numbers of the new DB9 will be slightly higher than previous models, however the Aston will still retain a small statistical percentage of the high end sport's car market.
The car has been adapted for sports car racing by Prodrive. The DBR9, as it was called, first raced at the 12 Hours of Sebring in 2005 and won the LMGT1 category, but was beaten by arch-rivals Corvette Racing in the Le Mans GT1 class[1][2].
In 2006, Aston Martin introduced a "Sports Pack"for the DB9, which includes increased structural stiffness, lighter 19-inch forged aluminium alloy wheels with titanium wheel nuts, lower (by 6mm) ride height, revised spring and damper rates and the like. This upgrade suits the more enthusiastic driver.
Aston Martin's Rapide four-door sports car is heavily based on the DB9.
BBC's Top Gear raced an Aston DB9 against a TGV train from Surrey to Monte Carlo, with the DB9 winning by a few minutes. During the race, presenter Jeremy Clarkson proclaimed the DB9 to be "motoring perfection". This comment was topped when a new section had to be added to the 'Cool Wall', which rates cars from 'Seriously Uncool' to 'Sub-Zero'. A fridge was added for the DB9 as it was thought to be cooler than any other car on the wall. Since then, the DB9 has been joined in the "fridge" by the Aston Martin V8 Vantage.
In the ABC television show Desperate Housewives, one of the characters in the show, Gabriel drives an Aston Martin DB9 Volante, as a gift from her husband. This car is also featured in Need For Speed: Most Wanted, as well as Need For Speed: Carbon. In the HBO celebrity comedy Entourage, fictional actor Vincent Chase buys each of his three friends a DB9
92 years ago something very special happened to the motorcar industry, Aston Martin was born and the automotive trade has only ever benefited from the presence of this marque. Without doubt one of the world’s most prestigious and sought after marques, Aston is firmly established as one of the premier Supercar manufacturers in the world, let alone Britain. The company benchmark has always been to produce “a quality car of good performance and appearance: a car for the discerning owner driver with fast touring in mind, designed, developed, engineered and built as an individual”. It is a stamp of quality they have proudly met at every turn. Their racing heritage is one that most manufacturers covet with notable successes at Le Mans and the World Sports Car Championships. From 1947 the DB era saw Aston's popularity and production soar, especially after the DB5 starred alongside Sean Connery in Goldfinger. A record 700 new cars were produced and delivered in 1995 and the company has gone from strength to strength. Aston will always be the epitome of British cool and manufacturing prowess.
The DB9 is easily one if the most stunning cars of the 21st century. The DB7 may have been ‘the most popular Aston ever’ but the DB9 eclipses it in every area from performance to beauty.
The DB9 is born from the DB7, Aston’s most successful car ever, and as such can only be a better car for it. The 7000 DB7s produced looks to be a mere drop in the ocean when compared to the popularity of the majestic DB9. Lighter than the 7 the DB9’s V12 powers from 0-60 in an impressively quick 4.7 seconds, hitting a top speed of 186mph. But it’s not all about the power and speed. DB9’s paddle gears make shifting a pleasure, while the 19” alloys cling to the road with ease. Aston’s CEO, Dr. Ulrich Bez, claimed that there was “room for Aston Martin to drive a wedge between cars like the 360 Modena and Continental GT models”…the DB9 is that wedge.
There is something quintessentially cool about the DB9. Long, low lines and a muscular frame give it the perfect sportscar image. An image, we’re sure, James Bond would be proud to be seen in. 007 drives Astons for more than their performance… because they look (inside and out) very, very, cool. Each DB9 has its own unique design features; from stitching to seatbelt colour the car is hand built to the drivers personal specifications. The exterior simply oozes luxury and refinement; sleek lines, chrome edging and the iconic front grill make the DB9 a perfect example of understated elegance and breathtaking power. The interior feels suitably opulent while the car’s heritage and class are beautifully apparent. One need only sit in the cockpit for a second or two to be transported to a world of unparalleled brilliance, a world that you will want to revisit as often as is possible.
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