Aston Martin DB9

(from Aston Martin Press Release)  The future of Aston Martin is epitomised by the all-new DB9, a 2+2 seater sports car that sets new standards in its class due to its astonishing combination of agility, V12 power, smoothness, beautiful design and hand craftsmanship.

Using a radical new aluminium-bonded body frame, the DB9 is one of the most sophisticated and
technically advanced sports cars in the world. It is powered by the latest version of Aston Martin's
6.0-litre V12, producing 450bhp and a top speed of 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, Warwickshire, where all
future Aston Martin models will be developed and built.

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

"Gaydon is the future of Aston Martin," says Dr Ulrich Bez, CEO of Aston Martin. "It combines
cutting-edge high technology with hand-craftsmanship and tradition. It is probably the best facility
of its type in the world, and the perfect showcase for how to design and build innovative sports and
GT cars for the 21st Century.

"All cars built at Gaydon will be based on Aston Martin's new VH [Vertical Horizontal] platform. It's
the first time in our history that we have had a totally flexible yet dedicated Aston Martin platform.
The DB9 is the first car to use it making it the most important Aston Martin ever."

The body frame 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 composites with magnesium being used on the
steering column and inner door frames. Even the gear selector paddles are made from magnesium alloy. The total weight is 1710kgs, extremely light for a V12-powered prestige 2+2 seater sports car with every imaginable luxury feature. This has a hugely beneficial effect on performance. Top speed of the manual is 186mph and 0-100 km/h (62mph) acceleration takes just 4.9 seconds. Other technologically radical features include a ZF 'drive-by-wire' six-speed automatic gearbox that dispenses with a traditional gear lever. Instead, the drive, park, neutral and reverse controls are selected by buttons.

Touchtronic manual mode enables the driver to change gear using paddles mounted behind the
steering wheel. The automatic gearchange has been tuned to provide the perfect balance between
super-fast operation and comfortably smooth shifts. A conventional six-speed manual gearbox will
also be offered.

The agility of the car is boosted by the perfect 50:50 weight distribution. This has been achieved
partly by putting the gearbox at the rear. A carbon fibre drive shaft, running in a cast aluminium
tube, delivers torque from the engine to the gearbox. Handling is further improved by the light
aluminium wishbone suspension and aluminium bodied dampers. The whole DB9 cabin is handfinished
in premium quality materials 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. Features include full leather Bridge of Weir
upholstery of the highest quality and a state of the art music system specially developed for Aston
Martin by British sound experts Linn.

Among the many technological firsts is the 'message centre' in the dashboard. It is an organic
electroluminescent display (OEL), as opposed to the more common LCD. OELs have a higher
resolution and better contrast and are easier to read, especially when viewed at an angle. Of
course, no Aston Martin would be an Aston Martin without a beautiful body. The DB9's is modern
and clean but retains much of its heritage. It is a modern interpretation of a traditional Aston
Martin, the successor to such benchmark designs as the DB4 and DB5. The aluminium bonnet is
long and extends all the way to the car's leading edge. There is a minimum number of 'cut' or 'shut'
lines, to aid styling simplicity and beauty.

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

"It is the perfect vehicle to take you from London to the south of France, or to drive for the sheer
exhilaration. It is fun and very focused on the driving experience, but also offers all the comforts
you would expect from an Aston Martin grand tourer.

"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 useability of a traditional Aston Martin
without relying on retrospective detail or design. It is a totally modern Aston Martin.