Aston DB9 sleeker, smoother, sexier for 2010

Published Jun 28, 2010

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Aston Martin's DB9 has established itself as a classic grand tourer, thanks to an enduring combination of understated elegance, sporting performance and genuine luxury, and is one of the company's two most successful models yet.

But time stands still for no car, and the DB9 has been largely unchanged since its world debut in 2003, so it's been upgraded for 2010 with a complete package of styling, engineering and equipment enhancements.

Expect to see the sleeker, smoother DB9 in South Africa in August 2010.

Improving on what many consider to be one of the most beautiful cars in the world was a delicate exercise. According to Aston Martin director of design, Marek Reichman, subtlety and fine attention to detail were crucial.

He said: "The beauty of an Aston Martin comes from harmonious proportions, a ground-hugging stance, taut surfacing and thorough attention to detail. The DB9 epitomises these qualities; it is beautiful without calling attention to itself."

Subtle styling changes tighten the DB9's front treatment with a new bumper, bright-finished grille and a re-shaped lower intake with bright hexagonal mesh.

New headlight bezels, re-styled sills, silver brake callipers, 20-spoked, diamond-turned alloy rims and clear tail-light lenses complete the external revisions.

Under the skin the previous DB9's conventional shock absorbers have been replaced by a new adaptive damping system that provides enhanced ride comfort in standard mode, says the maker, and sharper handling when switched to sport mode. It's standard across the range in Coupe and convertible Volante models.

A new tyre-pressure monitoring system, revised Bluetooth microphone and special aluminium-finish trim and new Bang & Olufsen hi-fi options broaden the DB9's specification.

The six-litre V12 develops an unchanged 350kW and 600Nm, taking the DB9 from rest to 100km in a 4.6sec and on to 305km/h.

Product development director, Ian Minards, explained: "The DB9 was the first car built at Gaydon using Aston Martin's light but rigid bonded-aluminium architecture and it has evolved every year, including a power upgrade and successive reductions in CO2 emissions.

"The latest package further highlights the DB9's qualities as a sporting GT."

The Aston Martin DB9 is available as either Coupe or convertible Volante models (convertible) with rear mid-mounted six-speed manual gearbox as standard or optional six-speed semi-automatic transmission with manual sequential change.

Aston Martin SA says it will try to keep the prices the same as the current models', starting at R2.595-million for the Coupe and R2.795-million for the Volante.

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