2004 Aston Martin DB9

(from Aston Martin Press Release) DB9 is a thoroughbred sports car with GT levels of comfort and refinement. Its design philosophy is uncompromising and brings together everything that makes a sports car great with that unique Aston Martin character, borne out of craftsmanship and use of the finest quality materials.

So what is it that makes a great sports car? Most cars are a series of compromises. The result is usually rational – even impressive on paper – but often bland and soulless in reality. Sports cars should be all about character and driver involvement. They need to look great, sound great and have power and performance to stir the soul.

But what is beauty without aerodynamic efficiency? Power encumbered by weight? Straight-line performance without agility? Great sports cars balance these apparent opposites, creating an experience that is both unique and unforgettable. What the driver sees, hears and feels is in harmony. The reward is total involvement: a level of engagement that truly stimulates the senses, that re-ignites the passion for driving.

DB9 meets all of these challenges. Undeniably beautiful yet efficient. Power in proportion to weight. Harmony of sound and performance and dynamic ability inherent through good design. But an Aston Martin is also luxurious. On those occasions when top speed and maximum acceleration are not really necessary, indulge yourself.

Be uplifted by the magnificent styling; revel in a sumptuous, fully equipped cabin trimmed in the finest quality materials; enjoy the superb Linn audio system; select Drive and let DB9’s 6.0-litre V12 and shift-by-wire fully automatic transmission do the rest.

Sunday, after all, is only a few days away.

Styling

Sports cars are meant to be beautiful, and no maker of sporting cars has a better reputation for understated elegance and graceful styling than Aston Martin. Their beauty comes from harmonious proportions, a ground-hugging stance, taut surfacing, and thorough attention to detail. They are subtle, not attention-seeking. DB9 appears as if milled from a solid piece of aluminium.

Its side profile is typically Aston Martin: very clean, with a single sweep roofline. The uncluttered lines flow through to a distinctive tail, and the haunches on the rear wings are wide and curvaceous. Key Aston Martin design characteristics include the distinctive grille, metal side strakes and signature rear window shape.

‘Aston Martins have a highly distinctive form language. The lines are beautiful and harmonious, giving our cars the appearance of motion even while stationary’, explains Director of Design Marek Reichman.

Great design, however, is not just about form; it is also about function. An Aston Martin is by definition very fast, so it needs to be aerodynamically efficient. It must be superbly stable at high speed - even the exhaust silencer is aerodynamically shaped to help achieve this.

The result is that DB9 drives arrow-straight at high speed yet, like all great Aston Martins, it does so with supreme elegance and grace.

100% Aston Martin

DB9 is new from the ground up. Every feature has been tailored to make the world’s finest sports GT. The starting point was to define the ideal dimensions, proportions and materials for the chassis. Aston Martin did not use an adapted platform from an existing family or luxury saloon - the most common starting point for GT cars. This approach can lead to compromise in styling and weight and loss of character.

Aston Martin developed its own incredibly light and strong aerospace-specification bonded aluminium structure. This ‘VH’ (Vertical/Horizontal) architecture, which is unique to Aston Martin, has given DB9 one of the most structurally efficient body frames in the car industry. Its enormous rigidity aids handling, driver feedback and safety. More than any other single component, the advanced aluminium structure is the reason for DB9’s extraordinary nimbleness, responsiveness and overall character.

All major body and mechanical components are either aluminium, magnesium alloy, or advanced light weight composite materials. These include the aluminium V12 engine and transmission, forged aluminium suspension, and aluminium-bodied dampers. Even the windscreen surround is cast aluminium, while the door frames and inner panels, steering column and gear change paddles are magnesium. The result is that DB9 is up to 600 kg leaner than some other GTs. That is the equivalent of six men, plus luggage.

This light weight, allied to class-leading rigidity, contributes to improved acceleration, agility, steering response, braking and fuel economy. The result is a significantly heightened driving experience. In every case with DB9, the ideal solution - not the easy solution - has been sought. That is why DB9 is a charismatic sports car. Superb to drive; lovely to behold: 100% Aston Martin.

V12 Power & Performance

A great sports car needs a great engine - it is the heart of any high performance machine. In DB9’s case, that great engine is a powerful yet refined all aluminium 6.0-litre V12. It produces 335 kW (450 bhp) and 570 Nm (420 lb ft) of torque. That results in a power to weight ratio of 194 kW/tonne (263 bhp/tonne) - one of the highest figures in its class.

Performance is enormous, yet usable. Top speed is 300 km/h (186 mph) and acceleration sees 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.9 seconds (add two tenths of a second for the automatic). These figures are impressive and DB9 will respond with real passion.

With 80 per cent of the V12 engine’s torque, or pulling power, available from as little as 1500 rpm the DB9 can also relax. Mid-range performance is astonishing, giving instant overtaking power almost regardless of engine speed, or even which gear the car is in.

DB9 offers a choice of two transmissions, both allowing the driver terrific interaction with the car. The six-speed ‘Touchtronic 2′ fully automatic transmission uses shift-by-wire technology, and replaces the conventional gear lever with dashboard-mounted buttons to select Park, Reverse, Neutral and Drive modes.

The result is sophisticated yet intuitive: quick and easy to use and providing instant response to driver input. If preferred, or where driving conditions tempt, magnesium alloy paddles, sited behind the steering wheel, enable instant, F1-style gear changes, providing the choice of rapid and involving fingertip gear changing.

Unlike many other sports GTs, DB9 also offers a six-speed manual gearbox, featuring a conventional gear change and new high-capacity, twin-plate clutch.

Interior

DB9 is a luxurious sports car. It is supremely comfortable, with a cabin hand-trimmed in beautiful, natural materials - primarily wood and leather. There is the latest in modern technology, yet there are no superfluous controls or displays. There is a minimum of distraction. Even the satellite navigation screen motors seamlessly away when not in use.

Yet the car has very high equipment levels, as you would expect in a thoroughbred sports car with GT levels of comfort and refinement.

The cabin interior is handmade, from the cutting of the leather to the crafting of the wood. This is not done merely for ‘traditional’ reasons. It is done because a skilled craftsman can finish wood or leather better than any machine. The leather is particularly soft and supple, as you would expect of Aston Martin, and is used throughout the cabin.

Wood trims are inspired by quality, hand-finished furniture. There is a choice of four: walnut, mahogany, piano black and bamboo.

In every case, ’single piece’ cuts are used, rather than tiny strips or thin appliqués. Crafting such large pieces of wood is only possible when done by hand.

The use of aluminium on the dashboard, in the instrument panel and for the door handles, reflects the widespread use of that beautiful and lightweight metal throughout the rest of the car. It is a stylish and contemporary metal, yet one steeped in automotive tradition. Even the starter button, the driver’s first interaction with the V12 engine, is beautiful, made from clear glass.

Personalisation

Aston Martins are hand-built cars, made to order. This exclusive, bespoke tailoring philosophy means any combination of paint and leather trim colour is possible. That is the essence of hand craftsmanship; it’s what makes Aston Martin’s new Gaydon facility the Savile Row of sports car production.

There is, of course, an extensive palette of standard body colours and interior finishes. These have been specially chosen by Aston Martin’s team of designers, who have scoured the world to gain inspiration for colours, materials, surfaces and finishes.

Twenty paint colours, categorised as ‘contemporary’ and ‘fast track’, vary from subtle metallics to the brightest hues. Twenty shades of the finest, softest leather, eight colours of carpet and four choices of wood trim - piano black, walnut, mahogany and bamboo - complete the ’standard’ choice. For DB9 Volante, six roof colours are available, from black to sandstone.

DB9 is equipped with an industry-leading Linn 128 W audio system - the finest standard in-car entertainment available - including a six CD auto changer. Optional upgrades for the true enthusiast are available, to either the magnificent Linn 260 W system with Limbik 5.1 or the supreme Linn 950 W system with Dolby Pro Logic II. Other features include satellite navigation, reversing sensors, cruise control, personalised sill plaques, powerfold mirrors, heated front screen, tyre pressure monitoring and a bright finish grille.

Safety & Security

DB9 offers class-leading safety. Its structure is designed to provide a supremely robust passenger cell that cocoons its occupants who are further protected by extruded aluminium crumple zones front and rear.

Dual-stage driver and passenger airbags, seat-mounted side airbags and seat belt pretensioners offer further protection. In the Volante, rear roll-over hoops are automatically deployed, when required, from the rear headrests.

DB9’s active safety - the ability to help avoid an accident occurring in the first place - begins with its inherent agility and responsiveness. The lightweight, rigid body structure and superbly tuned suspension and steering are further aided by a host of advanced electronics. These include Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and the latest-generation ABS brakes which, should the system detect loss of grip, combine to help keep the car stable and balanced.

Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Emergency Brake Assist (EBA) are also employed. EBD balances the front-to-rear braking bias, to give optimal braking performance. In an emergency, EBA sensors detect when maximum braking is required and automatically apply the appropriate force.

Although engineering development is carried out exclusively at Aston Martin, whenever appropriate solutions and expertise existed outside the company, that is where Aston Martin’s engineers turned.

For instance, Volvo in Sweden is recognised as the world leader in automotive safety engineering. All the safety systems used in DB9 have been designed and tested using Volvo’s latest safety technologies, best-practice design guidelines and advanced computer-aided engineering.

All crash and safety testing was conducted at Volvo’s world-renowned safety centre in Sweden, which has probably the best facilities in the world for all aspects of safety engineering and crash-test analysis.

Specification

Body

- Two door coupe or convertible body style with 2+2 seating
- Extruded aluminium bonded body structure
- Aluminium and composite body panels
- Extruded aluminium door side impact beams
- Xenon gas discharge projector headlights (dipped beam), halogen projector headlights (main beam) with power wash
- Power fold mirrors
- LED rear lights

Engine

- All alloy, quad overhead camshaft, 48-valve, 5935cc 60° V12
- Mid-front mounted, rear wheel drive
- Engine management system with Neural Net misfire detection system
- Fully catalysed stainless steel exhaust system with active by-pass valves
- Compression ratio 10.3:1
- Maximum power 335 kW (450 bhp) at 6000 rpm
- Maximum torque 570 Nm (420 lb ft) at 5000 rpm
- Acceleration (Coupe manual) 0-60 mph in 4.7 seconds 0-100 km/h in 4.9 seconds
- Acceleration (Coupe automatic) 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds 0-100 km/h in 5.1 seconds
- Maximum speed 186 mph (300 km/h)

Transmission

- Rear mid-mounted ‘Touchtronic 2′ six-speed gearbox with electronic shift-by-wire control system
- Rear mid-mounted six-speed manual gearbox
- Limited slip differential
- Final drive ratio 3.07:1 (auto) 3.54:1 (manual)

Steering

- Rack and pinion, Servotronic speed-sensitive power-assisted steering, 3.0 turns lock to lock Column tilt and reach adjustment

Suspension

- Front: Independent double aluminium wishbones incorporating anti-dive geometry, coil over aluminium monotube dampers and anti-roll bar
- Rear: Independent double aluminium wishbones incorporating longitudinal control arms, coil over aluminium monotube dampers and anti-roll bar.

Brakes

- Radial-mounted four-piston monobloc calipers, Anti Lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Emergency Brake Assist (EBA), Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and Traction Control
- Front: Ventilated and grooved steel discs 355 mm diameter
- Rear: Ventilated and grooved steel discs 330 mm diameter

Wheels & Tyres

- Lightweight aluminium alloy wheels
- Front: 8.5J x 19
- Rear: 9.5J x 19
- Bridgestone tyres
- Front: 235/40 ZR19
- Rear: 275/35 ZR19
- Tyre Pressure Monitoring is standard*

Interior

- Full grain leather interior
- Walnut facia trim
- Driver and front passenger dual-stage air-bags
- Front occupant side air-bags
- Automatically deployed roll-over bars (Volante)
- Ten-way electrically adjusted seats (including height, tilt and lumbar adjustment)
- Heated rear screen
- Automatic temperature control
- Heated Front Seats
- Cruise Control
- Voice controlled Bluetooth phone preparation*
- Colour satellite navigation system*
- Colour satellite navigation system with optional Traffic Messaging Channel (TMC) (Mainland Europe only)*
- Organic Electroluminescent (OEL) displays
- Trip computer
- Alarm and immobiliser
- Remote-control central door locking and boot release
- Battery disconnect switch
- Battery conditioner
- Aston Martin Umbrella and holder
- Tracker Horizon (UK only)

In-Car Entertainment

- Linn 128 W audio system with radio and six CD autochanger

Dimensions

- Length: 4710 mm
- Width: 1875 mm
- Height: (Coupe) 1270 mm
- Kerb weight: (Coupe) 1710 kg (manual) 1800 kg (automatic)
- Front track: 1570 mm
- Rear track: 1560 mm
- Turning circle: 11.5 m
- Fuel tank capacity: 80 litres (17.6 Imp. galls. 22.0 US galls.) 95RON unleaded fuel only

Optional Equipment

- GSM telephone preparation*
- Heated front screen
- Alternative facia veneers (Mahogany, Bamboo, Piano Black)
- Matching wood door veneer
- Personalised sill plaques
- Alternative brake caliper colour (Black, Red, Silver)
- Linn 260W audio system with Limbik 5.1
- Linn 950W audio system with Dolby Pro Logic II
- Alarm upgrade - tilt and volumetric sensor
- First Aid kit
- Smokers pack

*Not available in all markets, please consult your dealer for details.

Official Website - www.astonmartin.com

Tags: Aston Martin, DB9