Aston Martin DB9

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 The DB9, which was designed by Ian Callum and finished by his successor, Henrik Fisker, superseded the now-discontinued Aston Martin DB7 (also by Callum) which started production in 1994.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

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]
A rear view of a DB9 coupé.

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] Performance

[edit] 2008 model

* 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
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).[citation needed] Because it is a convertible it will do 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds,[citation needed] 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.[5]

[edit] Motorsport
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.[6][7] 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.[8]

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

1. ^ Forbes Autos "2008 Aston Martin DB9 Reviews". Forbes Autos. [link] Forbes Autos. Retrieved on 2008-07-05.
2. ^ "Aston Martin DB9 Overview". Car Gurus. [link] Retrieved on 2008-07-05.
3. ^ Ford press release
4. ^ a b c d e f "Aston Martin - The Cars - DB9 - Specification (official site)". [link] Retrieved on 2008-07-25.
5. ^ Two more Astons for Frankfurt show
6. ^ Aston Returns to Le Mans, advance news article about DBR9 racing (viewed 18 June 2006)
7. ^ Aston Martin Racing Results (viewed 18 June, 2006)
8. ^ 2007 Aston Martin DBR9 Le Mans Winner

[edit] External links
Sister project Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Aston Martin DB9

* 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

[hide]
v • d • e
Aston Martin and Lagonda road car timeline, 1948–resent
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
Retrieved from "[link]"
Categories: Aston Martin vehicles | Grand tourers | Rear wheel drive vehicles | Vehicles introduced in 2004 | 2000s automobiles | Convertibles
Hidden categories: All articles with unsourced statements | Articles with unsourced statements from March 2008 | Articles with unsourced statements from July 2008
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* This page was last modified on 29 May 2009 at 19:51.
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