Aston Martin DB9 (United Kingdom, 2003-present)

Aston Martin launched a new grand tourer model called DB9 in 2004. The main purpose for the release of this car was for it to take the place of the company’s most popular model so far, the DB7. The DB9 is also the first new Aston Martin model to be assembled at the company’s facility in Gaydon, England.
Production of the DB9 started in 2003 and remains currently active. Four variants for this model have been released: DB9 Volante, 2008 facelift, DB9 LM and a 2010 facelift for the DB9 Coupe and Volante.

The Aston Martin DB9 was publicly released in 2004, although it has been produced since 2003, and is still currently being assembled at the company’s Gaydon plant, in the U.K. The main goal for the British carmaker to launch this powerful model was to make sure Aston Martin could survive all past financial issues and keep on making a statement throughout the new century.

The company kept the ‘DB’ letters in the name of its new model in regard of Aston Martin’s former owner, David Brown, for he is an extremely important part of the company’s history. Although this car was launched in order to take the place of the DB7 in the car market, Aston Martin chose to name it DB9 instead of as it would be more expected (DB8) so as to show that a huge improvement had been made since its predecessor.
Aston Martin has released four versions of the DB9: the Volante, the 2008 facelift and the LM. In 2010 the model received another update for its Coupe and Volante.

The DB9 is served with a 6.0-liter V12 engine that has an output of 450 to 470 hp, according to car’s version. Top speed is estimated at between 186 and 190 mi/h (300 to 306 km/h) and acceleration from 0–60 mi/h is done in 4.6 seconds.
The DB9 relies on a rear-wheel drive and front engine layout, while working with either an automatic or a manual 6-speed transmission.

Extruded aluminium bonded monocoque.   Platform Ford VH platform.   Suspension Front and rear double wishbones with coil over aluminium covered monotube dampers, as well as front and rear anti-roll bar.   Steering ZF rack-and-pinion steering with Servotronic power assist.   Brakes Vented and grooved discs with 4-piston Brembo monobloc calipers, with ABS, EBD and EBA on all four wheels.

Designer Ian Callum began the styling of the DB9 and successor Henrik Fisker then carried on with the design work and finished it.
Aston Martin makes this 2-door grand tourer available in two bodywork versions: coupe and ‘Volante’ convertible.

Prodrive has made an adaption of the DB9 in an effort for this model to be entered in sports car competitions. The result of such work was a DBR9 that was born just before the 2005 season and that would take first place right at its debut at the 2005 12 Hours of Sebring. A good amount of victories followed for the DBR9, namely at the Le Mans Series, American Le Mans, 24-Hour Le Mans and at the FIA GT Championship.