2011 Aston Martin DB9 mild facelift review and pictures

Aston Martin DB9 mild facelift review:

ASTON MARTIN DB9: THE DEFINITIVE SPORTS GRAND TOURER

• DB9 receives package of styling, engineering and equipment enhancements
  
• Adaptive Damping System introduced across Coupe and Volante range
  
• Changes re-affirm DB9's position as the world's finest sports grand tourer
  
• Production of revised car underway, deliveries from July
  28 June 2010, Gaydon, Warwickshire: In the most significant programme of upgrades since its world debut in 2003, Aston Martin's DB9 range has received a complete package of styling, engineering and equipment enhancements.
  

As the most successful Aston Martin of all-time (an honour it shares with the V8 Vantage) the DB9 has established itself as the definitive grand tourer, thanks to an enduring combination of understated elegance, sporting character and genuine luxury.

For Dr Ulrich Bez, Aston Martin's Chief Executive, the DB9 remains a very special car: "The DB9 is the quintessential sporting grand tourer and offers an unrivalled combination of driver involvement, character, luxury and refinement. This car combines our unique Aston Martin character with an uncompromised design philosophy, craftsmanship and trademark Aston Martin performance ability."

This new package of improvements compliments these core qualities perfectly. Subtle styling changes freshen the DB9's appearance, with a new front bumper, bright finish radiator grille and a re-shaped lower intake featuring bright hexagonal mesh. New headlight bezels, re-styled sills, silver brake calipers, 20-spoke diamond turned alloy wheels and clear rear light lenses complete the external revisions.

Under the skin the DB9's passive damping system has been replaced by a new Adaptive Damping System (ADS), which offers enhanced ride comfort together with sharper handling when switched to Sport mode. The ADS system is offered as standard equipment across the DB9 range, encompassing both Coupe and Volante (convertible). A new tyre pressure monitoring system, a revised Bluetooth microphone system and the addition of a new Double Apex alloy finish trim and Bang & Olufsen hi-fi options broaden the DB9's specification.

Aston Martin's Product Development Director, Ian Minards, explains that it is all part of an ongoing commitment to continual improvement: "The DB9 was the first car built at Gaydon adopting the VH architecture. It has evolved every year since, with significant changes including a power upgrade and successive reductions in CO2 emissions. The latest package of improvements goes further than ever, highlighting the DB9's qualities as a true sporting GT and underlining its role as the backbone car of our range."

The Aston Martin DB9 is available as either Coupe or Volante (convertible) with rear mid-mounted six-speed manual gearbox as standard or optional ‘Touchtronic 2' six-speed automatic transmission. Production of the revised DB9 is already underway, with deliveries commencing in July. Prices start from £122,445 for the DB9 Coupe and £131,445 for the DB9 Volante.