[vc_single_image image=”38794″ img_size=”article-image”]The Aston Martin DB9 Coupe is a charismatic, rapid and classy roadster that offers scintillating pace and performance.
It’s technically a Grand Tourer, but sports dynamic coupe looks that are a match for its rivals in this market. If you like your engine notes vocal and raspy, the V12 unit here is always on song, but it settles down if you just want to cruise long-distance. Beautifully built and adorned in a typically gorgeous handmade interior, the car has got bags of desirability.
OSV takes a closer look at what it’s all about with our Aston Martin DB9 Coupe review.
Overview Of The Aston Martin DB9 Coupe
On The Road
[vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”38795″ img_size=”article-image”][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″]The machine is powered by a meaty 6.0-litre V12 engine which rewards you with blistering pace. It covers the 0-62mph sprint in a matter of 4.6 seconds, before maxing out at 180mph. The car is at home on the race track just as much as it is on a twisty country road on a lazy Sunday afternoon, and while it still isn’t the fastest in its class (that particular honour goes to the Bentley Continental GT), it will be quick enough for most.
The engine is decidedly heavy, though, which means agility is compromised. Tackling bends won’t be as easy as you’d like. The car is, however, heaps of fun on the road, and is also a fantastic long-distance buddy. The suspension setup can be adjusted for maximum comfort via three-mode adaptive dampers, and you can toggle between a trio of driving settings. Go for the hardest one, and your DB9 Coupe will be ready for Silverstone.
The carbon-ceramic brakes are worth mentioning; super powerful, they provide the perfect yin to the engine’s yang. The great news is that they’re standard across the range, and offer solid pedal feel. 20” tyres and wheels offers lots of grip without ever impeding ride quality, while the 6-speed semi-automatic transmission rules out the need for a manual ‘box.
Interior, Design & Build
[vc_column_inner width=”1/2″]The Aston Martin is a legendary vehicle that has become known for its exceptional designs. The DB9 Coupe is another striking proposition from the brand who delivered models for James Bond. It looks very similar to the outgoing Virage Coupe, with brand new body panels only strengthening the comparisons. Such similarities are no bad thing, of course, and the car retains that unmistakable Aston Martin charm.
The only problem is that the DB9 just doesn’t stand out in the brand’s canon by virtue of the fact that it looks so similar to a number of other models.
With that said, the interior is as always impeccable. Buy this and you’ll be treated to exquisite wood panelling, hand-stitched leather trim, and a whole lot of top-notch fit and finish throughout the cabin. If you’ve got the money, you can choose what you want to trim the cabin with – carbon fibre, aluminium or wood are your options. Leather seat upholstery comes as standard fare.
Again, there is a caveat, though. While its rivals have been busy refreshing their interiors and bringing them up to date, this one is still a little bit stuck in the past. The handmade aspect is a selling point, but things are looking their age.[vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”38798″ img_size=”article-image”]Space up front is plentiful and impressive, and power adjustable seats are standard across the line-up. The back seats are a bit cramped and you’ll struggle to fit two adults in there. As extra luggage spaces, though, they’re ideal. The boot measures 227-litres of space, which is a bit disappointing. The lack of proper luggage space is hindered by the vehicle’s sweeping lines.[vc_single_image image=”38799″ img_size=”article-image”]
Equipment
Standard equipment across the range is fairly generous, and includes full-grain leather interior, a leather sports steering wheel, memory seats, heated front seats, cruise control, satellite navigation, front and rear parking sensors, alarm and immobiliser and electrically adjustable sports seats.
The list of optional extras wa extensive and expensive. For extra cash, you can choose from the likes of 20” ten-spoke alloy graphite wheels, Volante body style, lightweight seas that come with 6-way adjustment and a black alcantara steering wheel – plus much, much more![vc_single_image image=”38800″ img_size=”article-image”]
Costs Of The Aston Martin DB9 Coupe
The new Aston Martin DB9 Coupe started at £140,000. As Aston Martin has stopped making them and if you want to buy one, we would be looking at a used vehicle which depending on age and mileage you would be looking from £50k upwards.
Unsurprisingly, running costs are going to be astronomical, but if you’re already shopping around for one of these, the chances are that you’re not going to be put off by its fuel economy. Although the V12 6.0-litre 510bhp engine is actually more efficient than before, and now emits “just” 333g/km of CO2, you aren’t going to achieve fuel economy returns better than 19.5mpg.
Unlike its rivals, the DB9 doesn’t come with an energy-saving stop-start system. Such a reluctance to get with the times further decimates the running costs. Road tax will cost you £505 per year, which is fairly competitive in this niche, while insurance will also be very steep. In terms of servicing, you should check your coupe in every twelve months or 10,000 miles.
Deprecation is also poor, and it will struggle to retain much of its value after three years of ownership. Reliability is not fantastic either, but this is something that comes as a result of the hand-made quality of the car. The car is, however, ten years old and the team have managed to fix most of the problems. Moreover, it also share lots of its parts, such as the electronic, gearbox and brakes, with mainstream vehicles.
The car hasn’t been given the once over by Euro NCAP, but safety levels are good.
Pros And Cons Of The Aston Martin DB9 Coupe
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Pros:
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V12 Engine Emits A Great Sound
If you like your engines to reward you with thunderous, bellowing notes that make you feel alive, the V12 engine is addictive. While other models in this sector are reducing the tone of their engine noise, such as the Porsche 911, Aston Martin are holding onto theirs. It’s one for the enthusiasts.
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It’s Rapid
There aren’t many cars that are quicker in this class than the DB9 Coupe, with only the likes of the Bentley Continental GT capable of outdoing this one’s 0-62mph sprint time of 4.6 seconds.
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Classically Handsome Looks
There is an argument that the new car looks too much like a few other models in Aston Martins’ stables. Despite its lack of proper originality, it’s still a classically handsome thing that is austere, sophisticated, comely and sporty. It’s a true gentleman of the road that purrs.[vc_column_inner width=”1/2″]
Cons:
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Lack Of Manual Gearbox
The lack of a manual gearbox might be troublesome for a few of you, but the 6-speed Touchtronic semiautomatic is still capable. It’s a quick shifter, but it will impede on running costs.
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Interior Starting To Feel Dated
Aston Martin have stuck to their guns in a few areas with this car, and one of them is the hand-built cabin. It looks attractive enough, and it’s as unique as they come, but it isn’t as up-to-date as some of the other major players in this sector and lacks certain advanced technology that would make it feel and look more contemporary.
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Thirsty
It’s simply not true that all these cars are as thirsty as a man in the desert, and there are a few things the British brand could have done to boost fuel economy.
As it is, you’ll be looking at regular trips to the filling station with this one.[vc_single_image image=”38801″ img_size=”article-image”]
Aston Martin DB9 Coupe vs Porsche 911 Coupe vs Mercedes S-Class Coupe
The DB9 has a few kinks in its armoury. To help you form a more balanced opinion, let’s take a look at how it fares against its closest rivals in the comparison section of our Aston Martin DB9 Coupe review.
Aston Martin DB9 Coupe vs Porsche 911 Coupe
[vc_column_inner width=”2/3″][vc_single_image image=”38802″ img_size=”article-image”][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″]The Porsche 911 Coupe has been in existence for over fifty years, which makes it one of the oldest sports cars on the planet today. The new model has a lower roof and slicker rear lights, but the biggest change up is that the engines are now turbocharged.
There was a lot of conjecture floating around when Porsche announced the introduction of turbocharged engines to this car for the first time ever, but the good news is that the move has not watered own the driving experience a jot.Porsche have spent the best part of fifty years perfecting the way this car drives, and they weren’t going to throw away all that hard work for the sake of trying to reduce emissions. So, despite the engines now housed in the back, the 911 is still well-balanced and super agile.
The coupe is quick too, and can match the DB9 when it comes to pace. Even the entry-level variant covers the 0-62mph dash in just 4.6 seconds, while the Carrera S manages it in 4.3 seconds. And because the engines here are lighter than the hefty one powering the Aston Martin, the 911 is a better handler.
So, turbo power hasn’t effected performance, with indeed the only thing it has negatively impacted being engine noise. Unlike the DB9, the 911 Coupe has lost some of its distinctive voice. However, turbocharging the 911 has made it cheaper to run than ever, and the base-level model is capable of achieving returns of around 34mpg off a sensible drive. Even the blisteringly quick Carrera S is good for 32.5mpg. Annual road tax bills are far cheaper than the DB9, too, with the Carrera S costing £265 per year.
The Porsche’s cabin is much more modern than the one in the Aston Martin. Plush materials about, and everything looks and feels solidly built. The driving position is set really low, but it’s easy enough to get comfortable in, as the major controls are within easy reach. And despite its small size and layout, the Porsche is surprisingly pretty practical. Visibility is good, head and legroom up front is excellent, but the 145-litre boot is super small.
Price:
Aston Martin – £140,000
Porsche – £76,000 – £146,000
Aston Martin DB9 Coupe vs Mercedes S-Class Coupe
[vc_column_inner width=”1/3″]The new Mercedes S-Class Coupe combines a luxurious interior, breathtaking performance and assured handling to great effect.
The S-Class roadster is more entertaining to drive than the saloon from which it’s based, partly because the wheelbase is slightly shorter. The saloon was also an adept handler, and although this coupe is fun to drive, it’s also worth pointing out that it’s too heavy to ever be considered a sports car. There is an arsenal of power available but it’s more of a quick cruiser than any an agile racer.[vc_column_inner width=”2/3″][vc_single_image image=”38803″ img_size=”article-image”]The smooth and comfortable ride has been enhanced by the introduction of some smart technology, such as Active Curve Tiling, a system which uses sensors to scan the road ahead before adjusting the suspension in the event of an oncoming bump. It’s a fast car too that gives the storming DB9 roadster a run for its money in a straight line. A 4.7-litre engine covers the 0-62mph dash in 4.6 seconds, while a 6.0-litre V12 engine can do it in 4.4 seconds.
There are no diesel engines available in the S-Class Coupe’s range, which already suggests that fuel economy will not be cheap. However, the car does cost less to run than the Aston Martin overall. The entry-level engine can achieve respectable returns of 30mpg while costing £290 to tax, while the twin-turbo V8 unit returns fuel economy of 28mpg and costs £490 per year in tax.
The interior is supremely luxurious and comfortable. Air suspension enhances ride quality by smoothing out bumps and lumps, while supportive leather seats are a real source of pleasure. Unlike the DB9, there is a lot of advanced technology to get giddy about here. Active Curve Tilting is brand new, while Magic Body Control is also useful. The list of standard equipment is wide and barely comprehensible, and there is also a heap of safety tech that will help you out in case of an accident.
Although it’s a coupe, the S Class Roadster is fairly practical. Space up front is good, and all the switches, buttons and dials are exactly where you’d expect and want them to be. The car has a bigger boot than the Aston Martin which offers 358-litres of space – but no rear seats at all.
Price:
Mercedes – £98,000 – £185,500
Verdict Of Our Aston Martin DB9 Review
[vc_single_image image=”38804″ img_size=”article-image”]This coupe is now ten years old, and while it’s showing its age in some areas (the cabin), it’s ageing like a vintage wine in others. Classically good looking and still as desirable as ever, its handmade cabin is a real source of pleasure. The machine is also bombastically powerful and quick, and its V12 engine sounds as amazing as ever.
Although it’s expensive, buying an Aston Martin DB9 Coupe is just one of those “if you can afford it, why wouldn’t you?” things.[vc_separator color=”custom” accent_color=”#00625a”][vc_row content_placement=”middle” bg_type=”image” parallax_style=”vcpb-default” bg_image_new=”id^51445|url^https://www.osv.ltd.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/MercedesGLE0915.jpg|caption^null|alt^Mercedes GLE Front View|title^MercedesGLE0915|description^null” css=”.vc_custom_1581605058065{margin-right: 10px !important;margin-bottom: 10px !important;background-color: #f4f4f4 !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/6″ css=”.vc_custom_1581605012017{margin-top: 20px !important;margin-right: 10px !important;margin-bottom: 20px !important;margin-left: 30px !important;border-bottom-width: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”]
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