New Aston Martin DB9 Revealed

Created Date: 20/09/2012

Aston Martin has announced a new and refreshed DB9 that will be shown off at the Paris Motor Show next week. The new DB9 comes as the luxury car brand drops its expensive Virage sports car from its production line in the process.

The 2013 DB9 model certainly takes some design and styling elements away from the Virage, suggesting that it is supposed to be the cars direct replacement. It is thought that the more desirable DB9 badge along with looks and quality of the Virage will bring together the best of both worlds. The new DB9 also possesses more power from its V12 engine and Aston Martins’s latest adaptive damping technology.

The V12 engine in the new coupe has increased from 470bhp to 510bhp and torque has improved up from 442lb ft to 457lb ft. The engine itself is the latest generation of the AM11 V12 series of engines currently used in the Aston Martin Vanquish. However slight changes from the engine in the Vanquish include a new head, dual variable valve timing, an improved fuel pup and revised intake manifold.

Another interesting difference between the Virage and the DB9 is the price tag. The new DB9 is £18,000 less than the old Virage at £131,995.

The new DB9 coupe can roar from 0-62mph in just 4.6 seconds and reach a max speed of 183mph. the 0-62mph time is 0.2 seconds faster than the current DB9 however the top speed is 7mph slower.

The technology and standard kit in the DB9 has inevitably been improved. Carbon-ceramic brakes are now standard, these advanced brakes weigh about 12.5kg less than traditional cast iron brakes. The car also has adaptive dampers, a Gen4 creation by Aston. The car will also come with Normal, Sport and Track modes.

The design of the DB9 closely emulates the outgoing Virage with its own subtle DB class style. The iconic front aluminium grille is still present despite tough new legislation on pedestrian impact rules. The engine is also mounted lower to support a revised bonnet design.

For the new DB9’s interior, Aston Martin have adopted the higher-quality Virage design including hand-stiched leather and upgraded glass switches. New lightweight seats cut 17kg of the total weight and have a carbonfibre and Kevlar composite structure.

Extras include carbon packs for both inside and outside the car. The external packs include the splitter, diffuser and door mirror housings made from carbon fibre. The interior pack uses carbon fibre for the upper fascia, door levers and gear paddles.

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