A place where people and cars meet

Tag: Aston Martin DB9

IN THE NEWS: Aston Martin to Unveil 540-hp DB9 GT at Goodwood

[huge_it_slider id=”3″]

24 June, 2015, Gaydon: Aston Martin is today revealing the DB9 GT – the luxury British sports car maker’s most compelling production ‘DB’ to date. Designed to offer the best of what DB9 can be, the new car delivers world-class grand touring and hand-built excellence.

Claiming the title of the most potent DB9 yet devised, by virtue of its uprated 6.0-litre V12 engine which now boasts 547 PS – the DB9 GT makes its public debut as part of Aston Martin’s impressive presence at this week’s Goodwood Festival of Speed.

The new sports car appears as Aston Martin also unveils a raft of colour, trim and equipment enhancements across its sporty Vantage and luxurious Rapide S model lines.

Aston Martin CEO Dr Andy Palmer said: “The arrival of 16 Model Year (16MY) cars, as well as the addition of the sophisticated DB9 GT, gives us our most compelling sports car line-up to date as we continue to build our strongest ever global offering.”

DB9 GT – timeless style redefined

Since their debut in the early 1950s, the ‘DB’ models offered by Aston Martin have been synonymous with sophisticated grand touring and thrilling sports car performance.

In the tyre tracks of DB4, DB5, DB6 and DB7, today’s DB9 GT continues that distinguished tradition of luxury, excitement and style with a raft of engineering, equipment and styling developments calculated to make this the very best of what DB9 can be.

Fundamental to the new model’s unique appeal is its uprated 6.0-litre V12 petrol engine, which is capable of generating 547 PS at 6750 rpm, and 620 Nm of torque at 5500 rpm.

The all-alloy, quad overhead cam, 48-valve 5,935 cc front mid-mounted V12 is mated to the proven rear mid-mounted Touchtronic II six-speed transmission with electronic shift-by-wire control system. It carries the British luxury sports car maker’s core GT offering from rest to 62 mph in 4.5 seconds, and on to a top speed of 183 mph.

The independent double wishbone suspension all round continues to deliver secure handling while the three-stage Adaptive Damping System (ADS) offers distinct  Normal, Sport and Track modes for the broadest possible breadth of dynamic characteristics.

However power is only part of the story, as the new Aston Martin also includes important and far-reaching equipment changes which underline its position as the best DB9 to date.

Most notable among the interior equipment updates is the arrival of the AMi II touch-sensitive Aston Martin infotainment system. While AMi debuted on the range-topping Vanquish at its launch, AMi II offers a revised menu structure which makes using the system even more user-friendly.

Building on the system launched in the Vanquish, the DB9 GT’s AMi II infotainment package sees key improvements made in a number of areas including text message integration, vehicle status information and extended background themes for greater personalisation.

Offering AM, FM, DAB and SDAR reception (US only), USB ports, Bluetooth audio streaming the system delivers superb connectivity and entertainment simply and easily.

Ian Minards, Product Development Director at Aston Martin, explained: “Refining the DB9’s already impressive attributes into what we have today in the DB9 GT has been a careful and delicate process.

“Maintaining the effortlessly refined nature of our core GT sports car, while boosting power and introducing state-of-the-art infotainment systems, has required fine judgements and painstaking engineering.

“I’m confident the result, in the shape of the DB9 GT, represents the very best of what DB9 can be, and sets the standard for luxury grand tourers in this class.”

Bespoke luxury as standard

Instantly recognised the world over as a timelessly stylish Aston Martin, the core visual characteristics of the DB9 are of course retained in the DB9 GT. Refined styling enhancements inside and out, however, signal that this new car once again leads its class.

Aside from the subtle GT badges, this new DB9 is identified by black painted splitter and diffuser, revised headlight and tail light treatments and new ten-spoke 20-inch alloy wheels. Black anodised brake calipers and a GT engraving on the aluminium fuel filler cap further distinguish the new model.

Options, for those who wish to further personalise their car, include carbon fibre tail lamp inserts, side strakes, front splitter and rear diffuser; graphite, diamond-turned ten-spoke alloy wheels and alternative brake caliper colours.

Inside, the 2+2 seating configuration remains, however the seats now boast ‘GT’ embroidery on the unique fluted leather. An iridium trim pack and Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel (Coupe only) further distinguish the new car.

A broad array of options inside the DB9 GT include various centre console finishes such as Ice Mocha and Copper Cuprum, while other interior options include Duotone leather seats, door inserts and head linings; and a One-77-inspired steering wheel design.

Aston Martin Chief Creative Officer, Marek Reichman, said: “The purity of form and proportion, together with a lithe powerful, stance, remain at the core of what the DB9 is to look at. With these changes, we have made the DB9 GT yet more stylish, while retaining its unmistakable and globally renowned identity.”

The DB9 GT is now available to order in markets around the world, priced from £140,000 RRP (UK), €187,000 RRP (Germany), $199,950 RRP (USA).

Vantage and Rapide S revised

Not content simply with launching the DB9 GT, Aston Martin is also taking the arrival of 16MY cars to update, upgrade and enhance more of its core sports cars.

The sporting Vantage line-up and luxurious Rapide S four-door four-seat sports cars all benefit from a raft of colour, trim and equipment enhancements for 16MY, with the Vantage Coupe and Roadster models gaining a new touch-sensitive centre console fascia.

The AMi II infotainment system also makes its debut in Vantage and Rapide S, with the debut of corresponding new features such as visual vehicle status power and torque meters, offering real-time read-outs of engine bhp and torque.

New interior trim packs deliver the option of even greater personalisation for customers, with the addition of Vivid Red, Royal Mint, Black Damson and Bronze Metallic to 16MY leather palettes across the Vantage car lines.

Meanwhile, the striking Californian Poppy interior accent is now available for Vantage N430 and US-only Vantage GT buyers. Royal Mint, Spicy Red, Copper and Deep Purple stitching colours are new, too, along with revised alloy wheel designs.

New exterior colours Cinnabar Orange and Ultramarine Black debut on Vantage, too.

Aston Martin CEO, Dr Andy Palmer, said: “Our process of constant improvement, development and refinement of our core sports cars never stops and the arrival of the remarkable DB9 GT, along with these important 16 Model Year updates and enhancements for the Vantage and Rapide S, all clearly demonstrate that.

“Expanding the global appeal of Aston Martin is, in part, about offering our customers the widest possible choice and with the changes we’re announcing today – alongside the ongoing development of our luxury bespoke personalisation service, Q by Aston Martin – I know we are better placed than ever to respond to our buyers’ needs.”

The global market introduction of 16MY sports cars begins in quarter three of 2015, with more details on market-specific pricing and options available in due course.

AT THE SHOW: Aston Martin Launches Two Special Editions in New York

Aston Martin V8 Vantage GT (3)

Irvine, CA, 15 April 2014 – Aston Martin is unveiling two exclusive new special editions for North American markets at the 84th New York International Auto Show this week.

The great British sports car marque, now in its 101st year, is debuting a bold addition to its iconic V8 Vantage range as well as dramatic new special edition variants of the timeless DB9, underlining the company’s ability to create cars that sit apart from the mainstream.

Making the Aston Martin brand more accessible to sports car enthusiasts than ever before, the bold new 2015 Vantage GT combines race-honed dynamics and looks with a new sub-$100,000 price entry point and comes in Coupe or Roadster form, each offered with either six-speed manual or seven-speed Sportshift II automated manual transmission – both delivering 430bhp and a top speed of 190mph.

Enhancing the enduring allure of Aston Martin’s seminal GT, the DB9, the Carbon Edition models deliver eye-catching looks and classic elegance, again in either Coupe or Volante.

V8 Vantage GT: race breeding, sports styling and more accessible than ever

Pure, unadulterated fun is what lies at the heart of the new V8 Vantage GT. Honed on the track to excel on the road, Vantage GT – available in Coupe or Roadster form – delivers a power hike to 430bhp at 7,300rpm. This means a top speed of 190mph and a reduced 0-60mph time of 4.6 seconds.

The increased power and torque are achieved through a valved air intake system and an aggressive spark strategy. The air intake system valve opens at engine speeds above 3,500rpm to allow greater air flow into the engine which in turn helps increase power and optimise performance feel. Meanwhile the aggressive spark method uses sophisticated electronics to ignite the fuel in the engine at precisely the right time allowing the engine to run at its most powerful. It can also recognise higher octane fuel and extract the optimum performance from the increased rating.

Designed with the purist in mind, that power feeds the rear wheels through a sporty six-speed manual gearbox as standard equipment; with the option of a close-ratio seven-speed Sportshift™II automated manual transmission with short final-drive ratio for those seeking to capture the motorsport thrill.

The new Vantage GT brings together the best of the V8 Vantage’s performance and dynamics to deliver race-winning responses. A front mid-mounted, 4.7-litre, all-alloy, quad overhead cam, dry-sumped V8 engine is complemented by a rousing sports exhaust, aerodynamics honed through numerous wins in GT racing and a competition-derived braking system.

The compact proportions and inherent balance of the Vantage design are supported by a carefully calibrated sports suspension tune and quick-ratio steering rack that rewards the true enthusiast driver on road, and on track.

Styled to evoke thoughts of the track, Vantage GT celebrates Aston Martin’s sporting heritage and motorsport success, drawing direct inspiration from the Vantage GT4 race car which will be seen in competition across North America during the 2014 season.

A purposeful package of dark-themed exterior details include graphite painted diamond-turned alloy wheels alongside black headlamp bezels, side window surrounds and textured tailpipe finishers. Clear rear lamps with black surrounds convey the appropriate air of purpose and excitement.

This neatly offsets a series of eye-catching liveries with optional graphics packs available on Vantage GT. Offering a nod to Aston Martin’s race heritage including the Le Mans-winning DBR1 and hugely successful DB2/4 of the 1950s, the exterior themes of Alloro Green, Jet Black, Skyfall Silver, Mariana Blue and Speedway White can be personalised further with contrasting graphics adorning grille lipstick, mirror caps, A-pillar/cant rail (Coupe only) and rear diffuser blade.

With a range of new technical and tactile materials plus new finishes inside, and out, Vantage GT’s sporting associations are unmistakable. New interior features and materials include machined carbon sill plaques, black magnesium paddle-shifts or carbon fibre gearshift surround; satin chrome rotaries; a leather (or Alcantara) steering wheel with contrasting on-centre stitch feature; seat and door inserts in technical PlissèAlcantara and unique seat trim patterns. Occupants are cossetted by distinctive Aston Martin sports seats as first seen on the V12 Vantage S.

Priced from $99,900 RRP, first deliveries of the new Vantage GT will begin in quarter three to North American customers.

DB9 Carbon Edition

The Aston Martin DB9 family grows at New York with the arrival of the Carbon Edition.

Style and visual drama are the special editions hallmarks as they perfectly emphasise the timeless GT’s sporting nature. The DB9 Carbon Edition is led by two distinctive specifications; Carbon Black and Carbon White or alternatively customers are afforded the choice of the Aston Martin colour palette to personalise their own carbon creation.

The new Carbon Black accentuates the 183 mph DB9’s 6.0-litre V12 potential through a strong dark theme underpinned by a unique combination of lightweight carbon fibre features. Meanwhile, the contemporary Carbon White special edition creates a dramatic visual effect with the carbon fibre and dark elements contrasting strongly against the Stratus White paint and accented caliper colour.

Striking exterior additions for both Carbon Black and Carbon White editions include carbon fibre side strakes, rear lamp infills and black meshes and window surrounds reinforcing the powerful visual themes. The carbon theme can be extended further with optional carbon fibre front splitter, rear diffuser and mirror cap/arm features. Standard exterior equipment also include 10-spoke diamond-turned alloy wheels available with either silver or satin black finishes and a choice of red, yellow, grey or black brake calipers.

Inside, a strong black styling theme with a choice of accent colours in line with the caliper shade showcases carbon fibre details and new black hardware. Bespoke sill plaques with the Carbon logo, communicate the cars’ rarity, too.

Of course the styling changes don’t alter the DB9’s inherent grand touring capabilities, qualities that make it the world’s most admired and desired GT.

Today’s DB9 features the modern AM11 V12 engine which uses ‘Gen4’ VH architecture and hardware, tuned to suit the character of a classic GT. The result is an engine with effortless torque of up to 457 lb ft and peak power of 510bhp.

Priced from $199,995 RRP first deliveries of the new DB9 Carbon Edition commence in quarter three to North American customers.

The 2014 New York International Auto Show opens to the public on Friday 18 April at the Jacob Javits Convention Center, running until Sunday 27 April.

© 2024 moto+match

Theme by Anders NorenUp ↑