2009 Aston Martin DB9 upgraded

Having just announced a power upgrade for their V8 Vantage, Aston Martin has also fessed up to tinkering a little with their DB9 and as with the V8 Vantage the result is more power and improved efficiency.

The mighty 6.0-litre V12 heart of the DB9 now beats a little faster with peak power pumped up to 470bhp (350kW) and 600Nm an increase of 20bhp and 30Nm. As a result performance has improved marginally with the dash from 0 - 60mph (96km/h) taking 4.6 seconds in both manual and Touchtronic transmission versions – an improvement of 0.3 seconds for the Touchtronic and 0.1 seconds for the manual.

The DB9’s suspension has been revised for both the Coupe and Volante with Aston making the move to Bilstein dampers along with revised upper suspension arms and retuned suspension bushes to deliver improved ride quality and greater refinement. Revisions to the front shear panel has also increased torsional rigidity by 10%, further improving refinement.

Not wanting to mess with perfection, Aston has kept exterior changes to the DB9 to a minimum with revised door mirrors and an anodised aluminium five bar grille. Standard alloys are now of the 19 inch ten spoke variety.

Inside sees an upgrade to the die cast zinc centre console, which now features a painted iridium silver finish along with the addition of a new Emotion Control Unit (ECU) - first seen on the DBS in 2007.

One of the World’s coolest cars just got a little bit better.

The official press release follows the image gallery.

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PRESS RELEASE:

Aston Martin introduced a revised version of the company’s critically acclaimed DB9 at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show, which includes significant enhancements to standard specification.

These changes include a revised version of Aston Martin’s 6.0 litre V12 engine to deliver improved power and torque. Peak power of 470bhp (350kW) - increased by 20bhp (30Nm) - is now reached at 6,000rpm, resulting in a power to weight ratio of 267bhp per tonne (199kW/tonne) - an increase of 11bhp per tonne over the existing Aston Martin DB9.

Peak torque of 600Nm is delivered at 5,000rpm, providing even more accessible power for the driver, as well a greater performance feel overall. Accordingly, top speed is now 190mph (306km/h) and the benchmark 0-60mph time improves by 0.3 seconds for the Touchtronic transmission - which benefits from a new valve box and integrated transmission controls to achieve quicker gear shifts - to 4.6 seconds and by 0.1 seconds to 4.6 seconds for the manual gearbox.

The latest Aston Martin DB9 also incorporates a series of chassis developments for both the Coupe and Volante derivates. Bilstein dampers are introduced in addition to revised upper suspension arms and retuned suspension bushes to deliver improved ride quality; aiding greater refinement in the Volante and an enhanced sporting feel in the Coupe. The Aston Martin DB9 Volante also benefits from revisions to the front shear panel which increases torsional rigidity by 10%, further improving refinement.

The Aston Martin DB9 manages to combine all facets of style, quality and usability of a traditional Aston Martin without relying on retrospective detail or design. Accordingly, styling changes to the revised Aston Martin DB9 are subtle, reflecting the car’s timeless design and understated elegance.

Exterior styling changes include the introduction of a new standard 19” 10-spoke alloy wheel, new door mirrors and a revised anodised aluminium five-bar grille. In the cabin changes include a new centre console constructed from die cast zinc with a painted iridium silver finish and the introduction of a new Emotion Control Unit (ECU) - first seen on the DBS in 2007. The ECU - constructed from glass, polished stainless steel and polycarbonate - replaces the key used previously for the DB9.

The innovative Aston Martin DB9 introduced an exciting new era for Aston Martin. The 2+2 sports car set new standards in its class due to its astonishing combination of technology, agility and design. The car marked the beginning of a new era for Aston Martin and became the first car to be hand-made at the company’s state-of-the-art facility in Gaydon, Warwickshire.

Sales of the Aston Martin DB9 started in spring 2004, and to date, more than 10,000 examples have been produced and delivered to customers around the world - surpassing the DB7 as the most successful Aston Martin of all time.

Deliveries of the updated Aston Martin DB9 begin during quarter two 2008, with prices from £113,950 for the DB9 Coupe and £122,950 for the DB9 Volante.