Aston Martin DB9: Mr. Bond's Wild Ride

Aston Martin DB9: Mr. Bond’s Wild Ride
Price: $164,000 to $183,000 depending on interior finish options
Available with a 700-watt Linn sound system

Like the secret agent with whom Aston Martin been identified since the 1964, the ninth version of the DB coupe is tasked with delivering uncompromising performance while still looking great. And for the most part, it succeeds.

Aston Martin has actually produced racers and coupes in the DB line – named for long-time company owner David Brown – since the late 1940s. The 2003 DB7 was the first in the series to sport a V12 engine. That car evolved into the DB9 in 2005, and has been virtually unchanged.

The current DB9 features a 450 horsepower V12 with 412 lb-ft of torque, but betters the DB7 by incorporating an extruded aluminum chassis into its bag of tricks – making the DB9 lighter and stiffer. To achieve optimal weight distribution, the 9 mounts its engine just forward of the front bulkhead. Combine that with a rear transaxle mounted transmission, and you get a gentleman’s muscle car with perfect balance.

I drove the DB9 back-to-back on a racetrack with models from Ferrari, Lamborghini, Mercedes, and Porsche. Though not the best handling, the DB9 was the most luxurious and accommodating. It was easy to get into and out of, offered plenty of room for the driver and front passenger, and exhibited a quality of fit and finish that may be the best available.

Press the crystal start button on the DB9’s burl veneer, aluminum-trimmed dash, and its throaty engine roars to life. Zero to 60 mph takes just 4.7 seconds, with a top speed of 186 mph – though its hard to imaging going anywhere near that fast in this car. At track speeds in the 80s, the DB9 was less nimble through turns than I would have liked. Slowing from speeds in the low 100s was a frightening chore, as the DB9’s brakes seemed overmatched by its bulk. And even though Aston Martin claims 50/50 weight distribution, the DB9 exhibited a distinct nose-heaviness through tight turns at speed.

But this is academic, as most DB9 drivers will never take one on the track. Drive the Aston Martin within the confines of the law (more or less), and it is richly rewarding. It is beautiful, exclusive (each car is hand-built to order), exciting, and comfortable enough for you and yours to enjoy for hours on end.