Aston Martin DB9 Makes World Debut

**explorer** · September 6th, 2003 04:17 PM

GAYDON, England, September 5, 2003 -- The Aston Martin DB9 is making its world debut at the 2003 Frankfurt Motor Show next week. The DB9 is the first car to be produced at the company's modern and recently completed facility at Gaydon.

The innovative DB9 heralds an exciting new era for Aston Martin as it reflects the direction the company is taking with all future models.

Using a radical new aluminium bonded frame, the 2+2 DB9 is one of the most sophisticated and technically advanced sports cars in the world. It successfully balances the attributes of a sports car with features normally found on luxury cars.

It is also the first production model to use the uniquie Aston Martin VH (Vertical/Horizontal) Platform strategy. The VH Platform is light, provides better performance, handling and durability and yet is extremely rigid.

"The DB9 will without doubt be the most important Aston Martin model ever," said Dr. Ulrich Bez, chief executive officer, Aston Martin. "Not only is it the first time in our history that we have a purpose-built facility, but we now also have a dedicated platform.

"The DB9 is an excellent example of what we as a company stand for today -- namely making elegant and understated British sports cars for individuals," concluded Bez.

The all-new DB9 will be crafted at Aston Martin's new Gaydon facility, which is one of the most advanced of its kind in the world. Using the very latest in automotive technology and materials to create the DB9, Aston Martin will spend more than 200 hours hand-building each car.

Power for the DB9 comes from a 450 bhp V-12 engine specifically developed for this model. The DB9 also will be offered with an extensive list of materials and colour combinations for the interior and exterior paint finishes allowing customers to continue the Aston Martin tradition of personalising their car.

The DB9 will replace the current DB7, which finishes production at the end of 2003. Launched in 1993, the DB7 is linked to Aston Martin's achievements over the past decade with more than 7,000 examples produced and serves as Aston Martin's most successful model ever.

The Aston Martin DB9 will be introduced into the markets around the world in spring 2004. Final pricing and specification will be announced at that time.

Aston Martin DB9 Picture