Aston Martin DB9 6 L V12

DB9 6 L V12 Review

The Aston Martin DB9 6 L V12 is one of the exemplary sporting grand tourer, which is a perfect combination of true beauty with functionality. It is exceptionally powerful, high performance sports car with supreme balance, handling and ride. The company has powered this variant with a 6.0-litre, V-Type petrol engine, which comes with a displacement capacity of 5935cc. It can churn out a whopping power output of 470bhp in combination with a hammering torque of 600Nm. It is mated with Touchtronic 2 automatic transmission gear box with steering wheel mounted paddles, which gives an extraordinary performance on roads. Its exhaust silencer is aerodynamically shaped to keep the vehicle superbly stable even at high speeds. This vehicle is designed with an overall length and height of 4710mm and 1270mm respectively. Its total width is about 1875mm, which includes both external rear view mirrors. For a spacious internal cabin, the company has given it a long wheelbase of 2745mm. Its fuel tank can store about 80 litres of petrol in it, which is quite good for long drives. This tourer is the epitome of dynamic beauty and comes with elegant bodywork with lines that are fluid and modern yet classic. Every surface and component is carefully detailed, using ultra modern materials and a combination of high technology and traditional craft skills. It comes with unique ‘swan-wing’ doors that are designed to open outwards yet upwards, easing access and avoiding high kerbs.

Exteriors:

The company has elegantly designed this enticing vehicle with a lot of styling aspects. Its technical perfection is beautifully wrapped in an elegant bodywork and aerodynamic structure. Its every surface and component is carefully detailed and the manufacturer has used premium material for giving it a classy look. To begin with, its frontage is designed with an iconic Aston Martin grille with its distinctive five bars created from anodized aluminum forms. It gives a subtle yet aggressive visual statement and is flanked by a trendy headlight cluster. The slanted forward bonnet has a few visible character lines and it also has a prominent company’s insignia at the tip. The bumper is painted in body color and houses a large air intake section for cooling its powerful engine quickly. The coupe’s side profile is clean and distinctive with a single sweep roofline that flows through to a distinctive tail. It is designed with neatly crafted wheel arches, which are fitted with an elegant set of 19-inch, 5-spoke, diamond turned, forged alloy road wheels. These rims are further covered with high performance tubeless radial tyres. On the other hand, its rear end comes with signature rear window, chrome tipped exhaust pipes, bumper and so on. At the same time, it also has an elegant folding fabric roof, which is quite light and durable. This vehicle comes with a layer of Thinsulate material that insulates the cabin from both noise and the elements when the roof is up. It also optimises the headroom for the driver and front passenger.

Interiors:

This variant is quite luxurious and supremely comfortable. Its cabin is hand trimmed in wood along with leather and incorporated with modern technology. The use of aluminum on the dashboard, instrument panel, center console and door handles gives the entire cabin a modernistic appeal. Its advanced center console has clear graphics and houses a traditional analogue clock at the center. It is flanked by rotary controls for the heating and air conditioning unit. It is also equipped with several other controls like audio system, Bluetooth telephone and ultra quick hard disk drive (HDD) satellite navigation functions. The cabin is incorporated with electrically operated seats along with memory and heating functions. These seats are covered with leather upholstery, which gives it a plush appeal. It has auto dimming interior rear view mirrors. The company has blessed this variant with an Emotion Control Unit, which is inserted into a special docking station set within the traditional clear glass starter button.

Engine and Performance:

This high performance variant is equipped with a powerful 6.0-litre petrol engine, which comes with a displacement capacity of 5935cc. It is integrated with 12-cylinders and 48-valves using quad overhead camshaft based technology. This petrol mill can churn out a maximum power of 470bhp at 6000rpm in combination with a peak torque output of 600Nm at 5000rpm. It is mated with a rear mid-mounted six speed touchtronic 2 automatic gear box with electronic shift by wire. It enables the vehicle to attain an incredible top speed of 306 Kmph and takes just about 4.8 seconds for crossing the speed barrier of 100 Kmph from a standstill.

Braking and Handling:

The front and rear wheels are fitted with a set of ventilated and groove steel disc brakes, which are further assisted by radial mounted four piston monoblock calipers. This mechanism is augmented by anti lock braking system along with electronic brake force distribution. Apart from these it also has emergency brake assist and traction control. On the other hand, its advanced suspension system is assisted by dynamic stability control and adapting damping system. The front axle is assembled with independent aluminum double wishbone incorporating anti dive geometry, while rear axle is fitted with independent aluminum double wishbones with anti squat and anti-lift geometry. Both these axles are accompanied by coil over monotube dampers and anti roll bar. Its internal cabin is incorporated an advanced rack and pinion based servotronic speed sensitive steering system with column tilt and reach adjustment function. It reduces the efforts required by the driver by providing precise response. This steering wheel supports a minimum turning radius of 12 meters. 

Comfort Features:

The automaker has blessed this variant with a long list of features. It includes organic electroluminescent displays, LED map lamps, ambient lighting, trip computer, cruise control, hard disk drive with satellite navigation and Bluetooth telephone preparation. It has an advanced audio system with Dolby Pro Logic. It features high quality, fibre-optic electronics, which pass audio signals with marvelous precision and near perfect clarity. The console also includes a slot for the six-CD autochanger, while beneath the center armrest there is connectivity for iPod and MP3 players as well.

Safety Features:

This variant is bestowed with Bilstein continuously adaptive damping system, which is tuned to the driving characteristics and offers Normal and Sport mode for better handling and control. This system automatically adjusts to the appropriate setting according to information from sensors monitoring throttle, brake, steering rack and vehicle speed. It has a rigid aluminum structure with crumple zones that provide utmost safety to its occupants. Apart from these, it also has dual stage driver and passenger airbags along with seat mounted side airbags, seat-belt pretensioners and so on that offer additional protection. It also has an integrated passive anti theft system (PATS), which uses a rolling code electronic ignition key to prevent unauthorized engine start up. It also includes the very latest in vehicle alarm systems, featuring parametric sensors and double locking for doors.

Pros:

1. Advanced suspension system provides excellent drive comfort.
2. Presence of innovative comfort and safety aspects is a big plus point.

Cons:

1. Satellite radio system can be give as standard feature.
2. Maintenance and spares are quite expensive.