IMAGE  CREDITS -Aston Martin

                
                 

The future of Aston Martin is epitomised by the all-new DB9, a 2 sports car that sets new   standards in its class due to its astonishing combination of agility, V12 power, smoothness, beautiful design and hand craftsmanship.           Using a radical new aluminum-bonded body frame, the DB9 is one of the most sophisticated and technically advanced sports cars in the world. It is powered by the latest version of Aston Martin's 6.0-litre V12, producing 450bhp and a top speed of 186mph. Yet the DB9 is significant well beyond being a class-leading sports car. It is the beginning of a new era for Aston Martin. It is the first car to be hand-made at Aston Martin's new state-of-the-art facility in Gaydon, Warwickshire, where all future Aston Martin models will be developed and built.                                                                Specifications       Engine                                       V12       HP    450 HP@ 6000 rpm       Displacement     5935cc  (362 cu. in.)       Torque    420 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm       Weight lb (kg)    3769 (1710)       Acceleration 0-62  mph        4.7 sec.       Top speed    186 mph       Driveline    Rear Wheel Drive       Price (approx)    Starting at $145,000           All body panels are either aluminum or lightweight composites with magnesium being used on the steering column and inner door frames. Even the gear selector paddles are made from magnesium alloy. The total weight is 1710kgs, extremely light for a V12-powered prestige 2seater sports car with every imaginable luxury feature. This has a hugely beneficial effect on performance. Top speed of the manual is 186mph and 0-100 km/h (62mph) acceleration takes just 4.9 seconds. Other technologically radical features include a ZF 'drive-by-wire' six-speed automatic gearbox that dispenses with a traditional gear lever. Instead, the drive, park, neutral and reverse controls are selected by buttons. Touchtronic manual mode enables the driver to change gear using paddles mounted behind the steering wheel. The automatic gearchange has been tuned to provide the perfect balance between super-fast operation and comfortably smooth shifts. A conventional six-speed manual gearbox will also be offered. The agility of the car is boosted by the perfect 50:50 weight distribution. This has been achieved partly by putting the gearbox at the rear. A carbon fibre shaft, running in a cast aluminum tube, delivers torque from the engine to the gearbox. Handling is further improved by the light aluminum wishbone suspension and aluminum bodied dampers. The whole DB9 cabin is hand-finished in premium quality materials giving it a simple and functional feel. Aluminum is used in the interior, reflecting the most commonly used material in the structure and body. Even details such as the instrument dials are made from aluminum. Features include full leather Bridge of Weir upholstery of the highest quality and a state of the art music system specially developed for Aston Martin by British sound experts Linn. Sales of the model started in Spring 2004, replacing the DB7, the most successful Aston Martin in history.