We initially thought the tales from the British car maker were not true, but we were wrong as the company has now confirmed the discontinuation of the Virage model sports car. Instead of the Virage, Aston Martin is launching the all new DB9 in its 13th generation.
Appearing hot on the heels of the all-new Vanquish Super GT, the introduction of the new DB9 gives the British luxury sports car maker the perfect opportunity to further enrich the appeal of its mainstay in the GT sector, with significant developments affecting styling inside and out, plus key changes under the new DB9’s classically beautiful ‘skin’. The styling changes see DB9 adopt an even more lithe, fluid and pure form reminiscent of the outgoing Aston Martin Virage, which ceases production with immediate effect. Taking a classic Aston Martin GT silhouette as its base, the new DB9 adds a more pronounced rear boot ‘flip’ to further enhance the aerodynamic performance of the car.
This DB9 sees the introduction of the new generation AM11 V12 engine. The new V12 takes some of the ‘Gen4′ VH architecture hardware technology developed for Aston Martin’s forthcoming all-new super GT, the Vanquish, but has been tuned to suit the character of DB9. The result is an engine with effortless torque of up to 620Nm and peak power of 517bhp – both significantly improved versus the outgoing unit. Key features of the AM11 unit include a revised block and new head including dual variable valve timing, enlarged throttle bodies, uprated fuel pump, revised intake manifold and machined combustion chambers.
As befits a luxury GT in this class DB9 of course features convenience items such as automatic headlights, now operated by a new master switch unit control panel located on the lower instrument panel beneath the driver’s side air-vent. Automatic windscreen wipers are also a standard-fit feature, with their operation triggered by a rain sensor built into the header pod in front of the rear-view mirror. Arch-filling 20-inch alloys wheels in a variety of designs, full-grain leather interior, leather sports steering wheel, electrically adjustable Sports seats with side airbags, memory seats and exterior mirrors, satellite navigation, automatic temperature control, trip computer and Organic Electroluminescent (OEL) displays – the DB9 13MY’s list of standard equipment is suitably generous while buyers keen to further enhance the luxury look and feel of their Aston Martin sports car can select from an extensive range of optional equipment features.
