Using a radical new Aluminium-Bonded body frame, the DB9 is one of the most sophisticated and technologically advanced sports cars in the world. It is powered by the latest version of Aston Martin's 6,0-litre V12 engine producing 450bhp and a top speed of 300km/t (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, England, where all future Aston Martin models will be developed and built.

Sales of the DB9 will start in Spring 2004, replacing the DB7 - the most successful Aston Martin in history.

The body frame of DB9 is the most structurally efficient in the world, taking into account strength, torsional rigidity and weight. It has double the rigidity of many rivals, as well as being lighter, resulting in superior handling and agility.
All body panels are either aluminium or lightweight composite with magnesium-alloy being used on the steering column and inner doorframes. The total weight is 1,710kg, extremely light for a V12-powered prestige 2+2 seater sports car with every imaginable luxury feature. This has huge beneficial effect on performance, providing acceleration from 0-100km/h in just 4,9 seconds. A 6-speed manual clutch-operated transmission and a 6-speed paddle-shift operated Touchtronic 2 transmission are available.

The agility of the car is boosted by perfect 50:50 weight distribution. This has been achieved partly by mounting the gearbox at the rear and partly by the front-mid engine layout.

The interior of DB9 is hand finished in premium quality materials such as the finest Bridge of Weir leather giving it a simple and functional feel. Aluminium 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 aluminium.

"The DB9 has been designed as a sports car but with GT levels of comfort and cruising ability" says Dr. Bez, CEO of Aston Martin. "It is aimed at people who love driving but also enjoy exclusivity and style".

"This car is new from the ground up. We made sure that every solution was the correct one for the DB9. This is important for a car that we believe will lead the 2+2 seater sports car class for many years to come".

The DB9 manages to combine all facets of style, quality and usability of a traditional Aston Martin without relying on retrospective detail or design. It is a totally modern Aston Martin.

" Aston Martin are not edgy cars - they don't have sharp surfaces or pronounced power domes" says Henrik Fisker, Director of Design at Aston Martin. "The bodywork is elegant and gently curved, like a supremely fit person, with great muscle tone. But it is not a bodybuilder, who is bulky and out of harmony".

"We wanted the DB9 to look like it was milled out of a single solid piece of aluminium" says Fisker. "No fussy detailing and a minimum of shut-lines have helped".

The side strakes - an Aston Martin DB signature - are made from metal. The door handles are flush with the body opening the unique 'swan wing' doors which rise at a 12-degree angle for improved access.

"The latest technology is also essential, that's exactly what the DB9 customer gets" says Fisker. "But in an Aston Martin, the technology is aimed at increasing the driving pleasure. There are no computer gimmicks. You don't buy an Aston Martin to play games on the in-car computer, or to send emails".

The most important of the many technological innovations is the new VH-platform (Vertical-Horizontal) unique to Aston Martin.
" It is far superior to the conventional steel saloon-based floor-pan often used by high-value brands" says Aston Martin's DB9 Chief Programme Engineer David King.

"The torsional rigidity of a car is a key factor in driving enjoyment and good handling. Any flexibility of the body comprises the performance of the suspension, delays vehicle response and corrupts feedback to the driver".

On a 300km/h performance car, superb brakes are essential. The large discs are ventilated and grooved, rather than cross-drilled.
" Grooving is more efficient than cross-drilling" says David King. "The pads are kept cleaner and work more effectively. Also, brake pad dust can block cross-drilled discs, which reduced braking performance".
The calibers are made from a single casting (1 piece), rather than being fabricated in two halves and then bolted together. This increases strength and rigidity and gives superior braking performance at high speeds.
Braking is improved by Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) and by Brake-Assist which detects when the driver wants to emergency brake and automatically applies maximum braking force.

Aston Martin wanted to make the DB9 one of the safest sports cars in the world. For this, Aston Martin's engineers turned to Volvo for assistance.
" Volvo is renowned as the automotive leader in safety" says Chief Programme Engineer David King. "It was the perfect partner to assist in delivering the DB9's outstanding safety performance".
All crash-testing was done by Volvo in its state-of-the-art safety center in Sweden.
The DB9 is fitted with a rear transaxle to help achieve the ideal 50:50 weight distribution. The front-mid mounted engine is connected to the rear gearbox by a cast aluminium torque tube, inside which is a carbon fibre drive shaft. The use of carbon fibre prevents any flex and ensures low rotational inertia improving response and cutting both noise and vibration.

Says Dr. Ulrich Bez, CEO of Aston Martin: "We are confident that it is the finest 2+2 sports car in the world, and will continue the Aston Martin success story that is one of the highlights of the British motor industry in recent years".

In order to fully understand the technological advancements of the DB9, a cut-model will also be available on the Aston Martin stand.

Retail price JPY: 23,600,000

The flagship from Aston Martin (driven by James Bond in the latest 007 film), equipped with a 6,0L. V12 aluminium engine producing 460Bhp and a topspeed of over 300km/t. Paddle-shift operated Manual 6-speed sequential F1 style gearbox.
Length: 4665mm, Width: 1923mm, Height: 1318mm, Wheelbase: 2690mm, Curbweight: 1835kg.