Aston Martin makes some small cosmetic changes to the DB9 to mark the change of model year. Iconic car brand, the DB9 is gaining a new shield, a radiator grille with bright finish and a redesigned air intake. The optics have also been reworked, the wheels finally win a diamond while the brake calipers go silver. The DB9 Volante and 2011 feature version of the new Adaptive Damping System, more driving comfort and sportiness when switching to Sport mode. The change of year is also highlighted by a new Bang & Olufsen audio system and a new microphone for the Bluetooth system.
Under the skin, the only update of note is the fitment of Aston’s Active Damping System, which features Comfort and Sport settings, in place of last year’s passive (but hardly sloppy) system. Tire-pressure monitoring and Bluetooth connectivity have found their way into the DB9 for next year, and the options list has grown to include a new “Double Apex” alloy trim treatment and a Bang & Olufsen sound system, the latter also previously available throughout the rest of the Aston lineup. There are no changes to the sonorous, 470-hp, 5.9-liter V-12 under the hood, nor the six-speed manual or automatic transaxles. The engine and ZF automatic saw upgrades for the 2009 model year.
While the changes are limited in our eyes, Aston did have its hands full with development of the Rapide and One-77, so we’re willing to cut it some slack. Now, whether customers will bear that in mind as Aston asks them to hand over a large sum of money—$188,965 for the coupe or $202,465 for the Volante—in exchange for a brand-new car that, while still aesthetically brilliant, appears virtually identical to the last seven years of DB9s is a tougher call.
