Review: Aston Martin AM113 DB9 (2012-16)

Overview

Released in December 2012, the Aston Martin AM113 DB9 was available as a coupe or convertible (‘Volante’). Manufactured in Gaydon, England, the AM113 was powered by Aston Martin’s 5.9-litre V12 petrol engine that was mated to a six-speed automatic transmission which could be controlled via steering wheel gearshift paddles.

AM11 V12 engine

Hand built in Köln, Germany, the all-alloy 5935 cc AM11 V12 petrol engine had double overhead camshafts (per cylinder bank), four valves per cylinder and variable valve timing for both intake and exhaust valves. Compared to the engine of the Aston Martin AM112 DB9 , the AM11 engine introduced a revised engine block, new cylinder head, variable valve timing, enlarged throttle bodies, a new intake manifold and machined combustion chambers; the compression ratio was also increased from 10.3:1 to 10.9:1.

Body and dimensions

Underpinned by the fourth evolution of Aston Martin’s ‘Vertical Horizontal’ structure (an extruded aluminium monocoque with aluminium and composite panels), changes for the AM113 DB9 included a modified underbody structure and lower engine position. Compared to the Aston Martin AM112 DB9 , the AM113 DB9 Coupe was 23 mm longer (at 4720 mm), 30 mm wider (1905 mm) and 36 mm lower (1282 mm), though wheelbase length was unchanged (2740 mm). Relative to its Coupe counterpart, the AM113 DB9 Volante was 10 mm shorter (at 4710 mm), 30 mm narrower (1875 mm) and 36 mm taller (1318 mm).

Suspension

Like the Aston Martin AM112 DB9 , the AM113 DB9 had independent double wishbone suspension (front and rear), while a limited-slip rear differential was fitted as standard. For the AM113 DB9, however, the Adaptive Damping System (ADS) was enhanced with selectable Normal, Sport and Track modes.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Aston Martin DB9 included dual front airbags, front side airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control and front seatbelt pretensioners.

Brakes

The DB9 was fitted with Brembo 398 mm cross-drilled front brake discs with six-piston calipers and 360 mm rear discs with four-piston calipers. Furthermore, both the discs and calipers were manufactured from Carbon Ceramic Matrix (CCM) material.

Features: Aston Martin DB9

Standard features for the Aston Martin DB9 included 20-inch alloy wheels, a seven speaker sound system (including subwoofer) with a six-stack CD player, MP3/WMA compatibility, auxiliary inputs (3.5 mm/USB/iPod) and Bluetooth connectivity with voice recognition, satellite navigation system, climate control air conditioning, contoured sports seats with leather welt upholstery, power adjustable and heated front seats, cruise control, bi-xenon headlights and daytime LED running lights, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, front and rear parking sensors, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, remote central locking, power windows, power mirrors with heating and retracting functions, a height and reach adjustable steering wheel, an electrochromatic rear view mirror, tyre pressure monitoring, a trip computer, an alarm and immobiliser.

Aston Martin DB9 GT

Commencing production in mid-2015, the Aston Martin DB9 GT had a more powerful 5.9-litre V12 petrol engine. The Aston Martin DB9 GT could be identified by its 20-inch ten-spoke alloy wheels, black anodised brake calipers, black painted splitter and diffuser, revised head- and tail-light treatments, and ‘GT’ engraving on the aluminium fuel filler cap.

The DB9 GT marked the introduction Aston Martin’s ‘AMi II’ touch-sensitive infotainment system which included a digital radio tuner (DAB) and Bluetooth audio streaming. Inside, the DB9 GT featured ‘GT’ embroidery for the fluted leather; coupe models also had an iridium trim pack and Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel.

Options for the DB9 GT included graphite diamond-turned ten-spoke alloy wheels, carbon fibre tail lamp inserts, and carbon fibre side strakes, front splitter and rear diffuser. 

2015 Aston Martin DB9 GT Bond Edition

The Aston Martin DB9 GT Bond Edition was released in September 2015 to celebrate Aston Martin’s fifty year association with James Bond. The DB9 GT Bond Edition could be identified by its unique Spectre Silver paint finish, sterling silver ‘Aston Martin’ badges front and rear, and ‘007 Bond Edition’ exterior badging. Inside, the DB9 GT Bond Edition featured a special ‘Bond Edition’ start-up screen for the AMi II infotainment system, numbered sill plates featuring the ‘007’ logo, gun barrel embroidery on the rear seat divider. Worldwide production of the DB9 GT Bond Edition was limited to 150 vehicles.

Brochure

• Brochure: Aston Martin AM113 DB9 Brochure (December 2012)
• Brochure: Aston Martin AM113 DB9 Carbon Edition (March 2014)

Related links

• Aston Martin: Aston Martin DB9
• Wikipedia.org: Aston Martin DB9
• Behind the Wheel: 2014 Aston Martin DB9 Review