Aston Martin DB9

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Aston Martin DB9
Manufacturer	Aston Martin Lagonda Limited
Production	2003 - present
Predecessor	Aston Martin DB7
Class	Grand Tourer
Body style	2-door coupe 2-door convertible
Layout	FR layout
Platform	Ford VH platform
Engine	5.9 L V12
Transmission	6-speed automatic and manual
Wheelbase	274.5 cm (108.1 in)
Length	471.0 cm (185.4 in)
Width	187.5 cm (73.8 in)
Height	127.0 cm (50 in)
Similar	Mercedes-Benz SL Ferrari 612 Scaglietti Bentley Continental GT
Designer	Ian Callum Henrik Fisker

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 This model, which was designed by Ian Callum and finished by his successor, Henrik Fisker, superseded the now-discontinued Aston Martin DB7 (also by Callum) which started production in 1994.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 only a small statistical percentage of the high-end sports car market.

The car has been adapted for sports car racing by Prodrive. The DBR9, as it is called, first saw competition 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 complete with titanium wheel nuts, 6mm lower ride height, as well as revised spring and damper rates. This upgrade suits the more spirited driver.

Aston Martin's Rapide four-door sports car is heavily based on the DB9.

Contents 1 Top Gear 2 Technology 3 DB9 Volante 4 References 5 External links

[edit] Top Gear

On BBC's Top Gear, presenter Jeremy Clarkson raced an Aston DB9 against a TGV train from Surrey to Monte Carlo, with the DB9 winning by a few minutes. During the race, 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 the respectability of 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, and it remains there even though it was purchased, in the meantime, by Clarkson (Cool Wall rules state that cars owned by any of the show's presenters are deemed Uncool). Despite not being present on the Power Lap board, it had been driven to a lap time of 1:27.1—exactly the same time as the Vanquish S, which costs nearly £60,000 more and puts out 60 more horsepower. Clarkson remarked that the DB9 was the better buy because it is equally fast as the Vanquish, costs less, and has a much-improved transmission.

[edit] Technology

The Aston Martin DB9 has an artificial neural network implemented at the hardware level to detect engine misfires.^[3] The Aston Martin DB9 has a mass of 1714kg.

[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 liter, DOHC 48 valve V-12 as the DB9 and is completed with 444 horsepower.It is taller than the standard DB9 at 51.9 inches compared to 50.0 inches, yet even the hearty engine cannot help the DB9 Volante keep up with its competitiors. The transmission options are either the 6 speed manual with automated shifting and clutch or the 6 speed automatic

[edit] References

1. ^ Aston Returns to Le Mans, advance news article about DBR9 racing (viewed 18 June, 2006)
2. ^ Aston Martin Racing Results (viewed 18 June, 2006)
3. ^ Ford press release

[edit] External links

• Aston Martin DB9 - official Aston Martin webpage
• 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

											Aston Martin and Lagonda road car timeline, 1948-present																																[edit]
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						DB7 Vantage						V8 Vantage
												DB4				DB5			DB6				V8																				Virage/V8														DB9
																														V8 Vantage																V8 Vantage								V12 Vanquish						DBS V12
Supercar														Zagato																									Zagato															Zagato			AR1
4-door	2.6-Litre					3-Litre								Rapide															Lagonda																															Rapide