Aston Martin DB9 Coupe and Volante

Sales started in spring 2004 in Europe and the Aston Martin DB9 Coupe will officially arrive in North American showrooms in summer 2004, followed by the convertible version, the Volante, at the end of the year. The future of Aston Martin is epitomized by the all-new DB9, a 2+2 seater sports car that sets new standards in its class due to its astonishing combination of agility, V12 power, smoothness, beautiful design and hand craftsmanship. Using a radical new aluminium-bonded body frame, the DB9 is one of the most sophisticated and technically advanced sports cars in the world. It is powered by the latest version of Aston Martin’s 6.0-litre V12, producing 450 bhp and a top speed of 186 mph. Yet the DB9, replacing the DB7, is significant well beyond being a class-leading sports car. It is the beginning of a new era for Aston Martin. It is the first car to be hand-made at Aston Martin’s new state-of-the-art facility in Gaydon, England, where all future Aston Martin models will be developed and built.

The Aston Martin DB9 Coupe is started with a glass start button in the middle of the stylish dashboard. All body panels are either aluminium or lightweight composites with magnesium being used on the steering column and inner door frames. Even the gear selector paddles are made from magnesium alloy. The total weight is 1710 kgs, extremely light for a V12-powered prestige 2+2 seater sports car with every imaginable luxury feature. This has a hugely beneficial effect on performance. Top speed of the manual is 186 mph and 0-100 km/h (62 mph) acceleration takes just 4.9 seconds. Other technologically radical features include a ZF ’drive-by-wire’ six-speed automatic gearbox that dispenses with a traditional gear lever. Instead, the drive, park, neutral and reverse controls are selected by buttons. Touchtronic manual mode enables the driver to change gear using paddles mounted behind the steering wheel. The automatic gearchange has been tuned to provide the perfect balance between super-fast operation and comfortably smooth shifts. A conventional six-speed manual gearbox will also be offered. The agility of the car is boosted by the perfect 50:50 weight distribution. This has been achieved partly by putting the gearbox at the rear and is called transaxle powertrain.

The ’swan wing’ doors are unique and will become one of the car’s trademarks. They open out and up (by 12 degrees) making for easier access, especially for the driver’s feet into the footwell. This also improves clearance for the driver’s (or passenger’s) head between side glass and roof, further easing access. The 12-degree angle also means there is less chance of the doors scuffing high pavements. As they are angled, the doors are easier to close: they shut partly under their own weight, rather than relying on the driver having to slam them. Beyond 20 degrees opening angle, there is also infinite door checking. This means that the door will stop and hold at whatever position the driver (or passenger) chooses. The door handles feature LEDs that illuminate when the car is unlocked, allowing the handles to be located easily in the dark. The exterior handles lie flush with the door, to improve appearance and aerodynamics. The new DB9 has enjoyed the most thorough testing programme of any new Aston Martin model. Ninety-three prototypes were built and tested in locations as diverse as Nardo in Italy, Death Valley in the USA, and inside the Arctic Circle in Sweden, as well as in laboratories around the world.

Engine: 6 L V12
Horsepower:  450 bhp / PS
Top Speed: 186 mph / 298 km/h
Peak torque: 568 Nm (420 lb ft)
Acceleration:  0-60 mph in 4.7 sec  (0-100km/h in 4.9)

Retail Price: starting from 110,000 pounds (160,000 euros or 210,000 dollars MRSP)