Aston Martin DB9

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Aston Martin DB9

Manufacturer	Aston Martin Lagonda Limited
Production	2003–present
Assembly	Gaydon, England
Predecessor	Aston Martin DB7
Class	Grand tourer
Body style(s)	2-door coupé 2-door convertible
Layout	FR layout
Platform	Ford VH platform
Engine(s)	6.0 L V12
Transmission(s)	6-speed automatic and manual
Wheelbase	2004-05: 107.9 in (2741 mm) 2006-07: 108.1 in (2746 mm) 2008-Present: 108.0 in (2743 mm)
Length	2004-05: 184.9 in (4696 mm) 2006-07: 185.4 in (4709 mm) 2008-Present: 185.5 in (4712 mm)
Width	73.8 in (1875 mm)
Height	Coupe: 50.0 in (1270 mm) Volante: 51.9 in (1318 mm)
Related	Aston Martin DBS Aston Martin DBR9 Aston Martin DBRS9 Aston Martin Rapide
Designer	Ian Callum Henrik Fisker

The Aston Martin DB9 is a grand tourer launched by Aston Martin in 2004.

The DB9 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 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 The DB9, which was designed by Ian Callum and finished by his successor, Henrik Fisker, superseded the now-discontinued Aston Martin DB7 (also by Callum) which started production in 1994.

On the British automotive show Top Gear it is thought of highly, notably on the show's "Cool Wall" segment, where the presenters considered to be "too cool" for the wall and it got its own category, "DB9 Super cool Fridge"

Contents 1 Overview 1.1 Basic Specs 1.1.1 2008 model 2 Variants 2.1 DB9 Volante 2.2 2008 facelift 2.3 DB9 LM 3 Motorsport 4 References 5 External links

[edit] Overview

DB9 comes in two variants; coupé and "Volante" convertible, each producing 470 bhp (350 kW; 477 PS) coming 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 eight cylinders.^[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] 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 only a small statistical percentage of the high-end sports car market.^{[citation needed]}

The car has an artificial neural network implemented at the hardware level to detect engine misfires.^[3]

In 2006, Aston Martin introduced a "Sports Pack" for the DB9, which includes increased structural stiffness, lighter 19-inch (480 mm) forged aluminium alloy wheels complete with titanium wheel nuts, 6 mm (0.2 in) lower ride height, as well as revised spring and damper rates.

[edit] Basic Specs

[edit] 2008 model

• Base Price: $155,000 Coupe; $165,750 Volante convertible
• Power: 350 kW (476 PS; 469 hp) @ 6000 rpm^[4]
• Torque: 600 N·m (443 lb·ft) @ 5000 rpm^[4]
• Weight: 1,760 kg (3,880 lb)^[4]
• 0–60 mph (0–97 km/h): 4.6 seconds^[4]
• 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph): 4.8 seconds^[4]
• Top Speed: 306 km/h (190 mph)^[4]

[edit] Variants

[edit] 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 5.9 litre, DOHC 48 valve V12 as the DB9 and is completed with 450 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,^[5] two-tenths of a second slower than the hard top. 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 6 speed manual or the 6 speed TipTronic II automatic. The DB9 Volante is famously driven by Eva Longoria in the television hit show Desperate Housewives

[edit] 2008 facelift

In the beginning of 2008, both the coupé and Volante were facelifted. The engine was tweaked to produce 470 hp (350 kW; 480 PS) (up from 450), and the centre console was adjusted to match more closely with the newer DBS model. It also gained the key and start-up procedure of the DBS, namely, the Emotional Control Unit.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] 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 honor 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.^[6]

[edit] Motorsport

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 six litre V12 engine, but has been extensively modified to decrease its weight as well as to improve performance.^[7][8] 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.^[9]

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.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Aston Martin DB9

• DB9 0-60 Times
• Aston Martin DB9 - Official Aston Martin webpage
• Official Aston Martin Used Car Locator
• 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
• David Brown Engineering - David Brown website the name behind DB 1 - 9
• Aston Martin DB9 Coupé

v • d • e Aston Martin and Lagonda road car timeline, 1948–present
Type	1940s		1950s										1960s										1970s										1980s										1990s										2000s
	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9
Grand tourer	DB1			DB2			DB2/4			DB Mk III										DBS/Vantage																										DB7 I6												V8 Vantage
												DB4				DB5			DB6				V8																				Virage/V8									DB7 Vantage					DB9
																														V8 Vantage																V8 Vantage								V12 Vanquish						DBS V12
Limited Run														Zagato																									Zagato															Zagato			AR1				One-77
4-door	2.6-Litre					3-Litre								Rapide															Lagonda																																	Rapide
Owner	David Brown Limited																								William Willson			Sprague & Minden						Pace Petroleum & Gauntlett		Gauntlett & Livanos				Gauntlett, Livanos & Ford								Ford												Richards, Sinders, Dar, Adeem