Sunday, May 22, 2011
2011 Aston Martin DB9 Review
2011 Aston Martin DB9 Review
2011 Aston Martin DB9. As an exotic sports car, the 2011 Aston Martin DB9 is up against tough competitors like the Lamborghini Gallardo and Ferrari California. The Aston Martin DB9 holds its ground because it offers one thing the Gallardo and California don’t: a fine-tuned suspension, which creates a comfortable ride that’s great for long trips.
Two critiques, the DB9’s small rear seats and small trunk, are typical for the class. Overall, reviewers find it hard to dislike the Aston Martin DB9. "If God needed wheels, they'd be an Aston Martin DB9 convertible."
Other Sports Cars to Consider
If you’re looking for something more powerful than the Aston Martin DB9, there are plenty of options. It comes standard with a 4.0-liter V8 engine, which is smaller and produces less horsepower than the DB9’s V12, but reviewers say the R8 outshines the DB9 in the performance arena.
For 2011, the Aston Martin DB9 gets a very mild refresh to the front and rear styling -- you'll need side-by-side photos to tell the difference. In the here and now, the 2011 Aston Martin DB9 has more to worry about than its place in a future museum. The DB9 brings to the table the same lightweight yet structurally rigid all-aluminum platform that underpins every Aston Martin. We give the 2011 Aston Martin DB9 our whole-hearted enthusiastic endorsement, but with a significant caveat -- there are a lot of wonderful cars available for the same or less money than the DB9. The 2011 Aston Martin DB9 is an exotic GT available in two body styles: coupe and Volante convertible.
Standard equipment includes 19-inch wheels, xenon headlights, a two-mode (street and track) active suspension, power-folding mirrors, a limited-slip differential, rear parking sensors, cruise control, automatic climate control, heated power front seats with memory functions, a full leather-trimmed interior, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, Bluetooth, a hard-drive-based navigation system, a battery deactivation switch (for extended parking), an auto-dimming rearview mirror and a premium audio system with six-CD changer, an auxiliary audio jack, an iPod/USB audio interface and satellite radio. The Volante adds a wind deflector.
Options include front parking sensors and a Bang & Olufsen surround-sound audio system. The DB9 is also highly customizable, especially when it comes to exterior paint. There are also plentiful interior trim types and leather hues available.
The rear-wheel-drive DB9 is powered by a 5.9-liter V12 that produces 470 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual transmission is standard, while a six-speed automatic with shift paddles on the steering wheel is available. Aston Martin estimates that the DB9 will go from zero to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds regardless of transmission. The 2011 Aston Martin DB9 comes with antilock brakes with brake assist, traction and stability control, front side airbags (which protect head and torso) and rear parking sensors. The Volante comes standard with automatically deploying rollover bars. Front parking sensors are optional.
The cabin's decent outward visibility makes the DB9 less onerous to drive than some other exotics.
Driving Impressions
The 2011 Aston Martin DB9 is striking in the ease with which it drives down the road. The DB9 has always been exhilarating to drive, changing direction easily and responding smartly to steering and braking inputs, but now the Sport setting of the two-mode active suspension gives the car a dimension of ultra-high performance, making the discontinued Sport Suspension package unnecessary.
Along with “Touch Tronic” six-speed paddle shifters and six-speed automatic H-model Aston Martin DB9 provides a strong mix of simple and sporty. The Aston Martin DB9 is available as a sedan or tape (successful) with an average rear mounted six-speed manual gearbox as standard or optional “2 Touchtronic” Production DB9 six-speed automatic transmission is already underway, with deliveries from July, revised .. Prices from £ 122.445 for the DB9 Coupe DB9 and £ 131.445 for the band.