DB9

THE DB9 was the first vehicle built at Aston Martin’s new plant in Gaydon, England. It was also the first to be constructed using an ultra-lightweight aluminium-bonded frame derived from Aston’s VH (Vertical/Horizontal) platform that went on to underpin all Aston models.

Power came from a all-alloy, 48-valve 6.0-litre V12 engine mated to either a six-speed manual or six-speed ‘Touchtronic’ automatic with paddle-shifts.

Performance stats of a sprint to 100km/h in five seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 264km/h ensured credibility.

In August 2005 the Volante convertible joined the range, featuring a fully retractable hood that was stored flush with the rear bootline when closed, allowing the car to retain a smooth and elegant profile.

The electric hood could retract in 17 seconds, stored under a hard tonneau cover flush with the DB9’s bodywork.

Despite the added complexity of the folding mechanism, the Volante offered luggage space of 197 litres and two rear seats.

Twin pop-up rollover hoops would activate from behind the rear seat headrests in the event of an accident. Front-seat passengers were protected by the windscreen A-pillars that can withstand twice the car’s weight.

June 2010 saw a facelift for the DB9 range, which saw a two-stage adaptive damping system become standard to sharpen handling while improving ride comfort.

Also added was a tyre-pressure monitoring system, revised Bluetooth microphone system, new ‘Double Apex’ alloy-look trim and new Bang & Olufsen hi-fi audio options.

Externally, cosmetic changes included a new front bumper with ‘bright-finish’ grille and reprofiled lower air-intake featuring bright hexagonal mesh, plus new headlight bezels, restyled side sills with a more prominent ‘hockey stick’ accents ahead of the rear wheels, silver brake callipers, 20-spoke diamond-turned alloy wheels and clear tail-light lenses.