Aston Martin DB9

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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) 6.0L V12
Transmission(s) 6-speed automatic and manual
Wheelbase 2004-05: 107.9 in (2741 mm)
2006-present: 108.1 in (2746 mm)
Length 2004-05: 184.9 in (4696 mm)
2006-present: 185.4 in (4709 mm)
Width 73.8 in (1875 mm)
Height 2004-05: 50.0 in (1270 mm)
2006-present: 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 sizeable 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 The DB9, which was designed by Ian Callum and finished by his successor, Henrik Fisker, superseded the now-discontinued Aston Martin DB7 (also by Callum) which started production in 1994.

Contents

[edit] Overview

DB9 comes in two variants; coupé and "Volante" convertible, each producing 470 bhp (350 kW) 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.[citation needed] 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.[citation needed] 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]

A rear view of a DB9 coupé.
A rear view of a DB9 coupé.

The car has an artificial neural network implemented at the hardware level to detect engine misfires.[1]

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, 6 mm (0.2 in) lower ride height, as well as revised spring and damper rates.

[edit] Performance

  • Power: 470 bhp (350 kW/477 PS) @ 6000 rpm[2]
  • Torque: 443 ft·lbf (601 N·m) @ 5000 rpm[2]
  • Weight: 1,760 kg (3,880 lb)[2]
  • 0-60 mph (0-97 km/h): 4.6 seconds[2]
  • Top Speed: 190 mph (310 km/h)[2]

[edit] Variants

[edit] DB9 & DB9 Volante

A DB9 Volante.
A 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). Because it is a convertible it will do 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds, 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.


In the beginning of 2008 an advanced DB9 & DB9 Volante was launched. It has a new engine that produces 470 HP, 0-62 mph in 4.5, and the top speed of 190 MPH. Also the center consele was changed to the same one in the DBS also the ECU ( Emotional Contro Unit) was taken from the DBS and there are new optional extras like new rims for example.

[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.[3]

[edit] Motorsport

The DBR9 which won its class at the 2007 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The DBR9 which won its class at the 2007 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Main articles: Aston Martin DBR9 and Aston Martin DBRS9

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.[4][5] 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.[6]

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] Top Gear

On BBC's Top Gear, presenter Jeremy Clarkson raced an Aston DB9 against James and Richard (other presenters) using public transport (including a TGV) from Guildford in Surrey to Monte Carlo, with the DB9 winning by a few minutes; though this was only due to rules that disadvantaged James and Richard who were not allowed to use any cars including taxis. 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 exceeds the DB9's power by 60 bhp (45 kW). Clarkson remarked that the DB9 was the better buy because it is equally fast as the Vanquish, costs less, and has a much-improved gearbox. In the '2006 Supercars' special edition of Top Gear magazine, it was a contestant for car of the year.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Ford press release
  2. ^ a b c d e Technical specifications of 2003 Aston Martin DB9. carfolio.com. Retrieved on 2008-01-12.
  3. ^ Two more Astons for Frankfurt show
  4. ^ Aston Returns to Le Mans, advance news article about DBR9 racing (viewed 18 June 2006)
  5. ^ Aston Martin Racing Results (viewed 18 June, 2006)
  6. ^ 2007 Aston Martin DBR9 Le Mans Winner

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:
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 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
Owner David Brown Limited William Willson Sprague & Minden Pace Petroleum & Gauntlett Gauntlett & Livanos Gauntlett, Livanos & Ford Ford Richards, Sinders, Dar, Adeem, & Ford