Thursday, February 19, 2009

Aston Martin DB9

A friend has requested that I do some posts on infamous British cars! So I thought that everyone would enjoy a post about the Aston Martin DB9. The Aston Martin DB9 is a world class example of a beautiful fast grand tourer that was launched in 2004.

A prime example of a 2006 DB9 Volante is show below.



Aston Martin has a checkered past with some great cars and the company has seen its fair share of financial troubles. Ford purchased the brand in 1987 and sold the brand in 2007 to a consortium lead by David Richards, a British racing champion. Ford brought stability to the company, substantially increased reliability and left the designers to do what they did best. As a result, they have created fabulous examples of the automobile. The car sounds fabulous also, click here for the video.

The DB in the name stems from David Brown, the owner of Aston Martin for a significant part of its history. The DB9 was designed by Ian Callum and finished by his successor, Henrik Fisker. Ian Callum is an infamous British designer whose work I greatly admire! He has such a sense of style! For more information about him visit a New York Times Blog.

I have to admit that Aston Martin DB9 is one my favorites cars in the world. First, it is a beautifully styled car with some serious motoring performance. Second, did I mention that the car is FAST! The DB9 coupe has a V-12 motor that produces 470 horsepower, produces a 0-60/0-97kn/h speed in 4.6 seconds and a top speed of 190 mph/306 km/h.

DB9 comes in two variants, a coupe and the Volante convertible. There is also a new variant out now which is the DBS which generates 40 more horsepower than the standard DB9. The DBS wears a full carbon-fiber suit which is a first for Aston, and gets carbon-ceramic brakes and adaptive dampers. Shown below is the coupe version of the the DB9.



The DBS generates the numbers promised by a vicious exhaust note and steam roller tires, sprinting to 60 in 4.3 seconds and topping out at 191 mph via a 510-horsepower V-12. Aston is big on the tactile experience; to bring the DBS’s engine to life, you press a sapphire and stainless steel “Emotion Control Unit”—not an ignition button.

Shown below is the 2009 Aston Martin DBS. Click to hear DBS exhaust note !

6 comments:

  1. Hi Pete .. thanks .. I'm going to enjoy your posts - that was pretty informative & sufficient for 'girl'!! to understand & be interested in.

    I was wondering if you could put one slightly bigger picture up - similar to the GM or Muscle one the Mustang pic .. just so I can get a good idea of it's looks?

    Another car of interest is the Morgan .. if it's still made ..

    Thanks that was great & thanks for reacting quite so quickly to my ideas ..

    Brrm Brrm .. from Hilary: Be Positive Be Happy

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hilary,

    Thank you for your comments about the DB9 post. Currently, I am having some technical difficulties with the pictures. You are right - Aston's deserve some large beautiful pictures. I hope to have the sizing problem rectified shortly.

    I will check into the Morgan, that is not as popular a car but I will follow thru.

    Also, in the future I am going to ad videos which will have the exhaust note of the car. The Aston Martin DB9 has one of the best!

    The DB9 is a car that everyone is absolutely thrilled with!

    Thank you for your great input!

    Best Regards

    Pete

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi Pete .. thanks for that .. I didn't think you'd intended to have small pics! I'll probably be in touch to find how you sorted the pic sizing out ..!!

    The Morgan just looks great .. especially in bright hues

    That'll be interesting to hear the DB9 exhaust .. good ideas .. Youtube will be full of noise!!

    thanks .. Hilary: Be Positive Be Happy

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hilary,

    Thanks for your super comments! I appreciate input and views from over the Atlantic. It is a very different auto market in England so keep me update if there is anything that you would like discussed.

    As you are aware now, I am a big fan of the British automobiles. So, we will have more fun posts coming!

    Best Regards

    Pete

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi Pete .. I'm just trying to see if the word verification will work .. so I can post to blgospot blogs ..

    Yesterday I saw a car lablelled "Crossfire" - I don't know what it is .. can you help? It's a recent car .. probably 5 - 6 years old ..

    Thanks Hilary - Be Positive Be Happy

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hilary,

    The Crossfire is a Chrysler brand vehicle that was sold form 2004 thru 2008. Under Mercedes ownership, Chrysler designed the appearance of the vehicle, but it is basically a reskinned Mercedes SL. Also, it was manufactured in Germany.

    The Crossfire is a beautiful car. The car was discontinued in 2008 due to slow sales. Which is a pity, but also a real bargain on the used car lots!

    Best Regards

    Pete

    ReplyDelete