Mighty, mighty, Aston Martins are always fun tuning subjects, especially if they come in the package of a DB9 Volante.
Already possessing a 6.0-liter V12 engine that produces 470 horsepower and 442 lb/ft of torque with a 0-60 mph sprint time of just 4.6 seconds and a top speed of 190 mph, the DB9 Volante was treated with a new tuning program courtesy of Britain’s very own, Project Kahn.
Known for their expertise in British vehicles, Project Kahn has tuned an Aston Martin or two in the past. This particular program for the DB9 Volante carries a bevy of modifications, including a new matte Pearl Grey finish, a new set of 20" RSV Kahn lightweight wheels, a new suspension set-up, and new, red brake calipers on the outside. Inside, the DB9 Volante receives a new leather finish with matching cream stitching, Pearl Grey trimming, and an overall new design on the sports car’s dials.
The performance figures remain unchanged, but don’t expect that to be a turn off on the package. On its own, the DB9 Volante is a masterful machine by itself. Project Kahn’s dress-up only adds more flavor to an already delicious program.
Just when it seemed a brand new collaboration was on the verge of rising, talks between Aston Martin and Daimler have been slowed almost to a halt. The two brands had an interest in working with each other because it would be mutually beneficial: Aston Martin would have helped in developing Maybach models and they would, in turn, be able to take advantage of Mercedes’ latest technology. Now, German publications have reported that this agreement has collapsed and, as a result, Aston Martin’s future is in grave danger.
The first Aston Martin vehicle to feel the heat may be the DB9 supercar. This model is built on the VH platform that was developed when Aston was owned by Ford Motor Co, but since a redesign is expected for the 2014 model year, Aston Martin finds itself scrambling for a new platform; one they thought they would be able to get from Daimler. The redesigned Vantage scheduled to come out in 2015 is in the same precarious situation, leaving Aston working doubletime to re-engineer the current platform, powertrain, and sheet metal.
The highly anticipated Lagonda models aren’t any safer. This bump in the road leaves their production entirely uncertain because the SUV was going to be built on the Mercedes GL platform and the sedan was supposed to use the Mercedes S-Class platform.
Aston Martin is completely at a loss, though. They just secured a £304 million bond - about $440 million at the current rates - from global investors at a rather high 9.25% interest over the next seven years. This money will be going towards designing all new platforms for their full line of sports cars, including the DB9, Vantage, and Rapide.
With Aston Martin’s recently acquired £304 million bond - about $440 million at the current rates - the brand is full speed ahead on supplying an all new platform for their full line of sports cars, including the DB9, Vantage and Rapide models. In fact, the new DB9 has already been caught testing for the first time, under heavy camouflage of course. The highly decorated model doesn’t exactly tell us much, but at least we’ve got an official confirmation of the car’s current development.
The first details for the 2013 Aston Martin DB9 suggest that it will get new lights like the ones found on the Rapide and Virage, a new side profile, new side skirts, a more aggressive front spoiler, and a rear trunk lid lip. The rear end also looks to be a bit wider and taller than the current DB9 and there will also be new mesh-grilled hood vents and side mirrors that stand farther away from the doors, mounted on thinner, more aerodynamic stalks. Under the hood, the new DB9 will feature the same 6.0-liter V-12 engine that delivers 510 HP and is mated to a a choice of six-speed manual or shift-by-wire six-speed automatic.
Expect the 2013 Aston Martin DB9 to make its debut sometime next year.
UPDATE 08/17/2011: A member of the TeamSpeed forum has captured the 2013 DB9 replacement through the use of a webcam. Check out the glimpse of the future model!
Investors are getting more and more strict when it comes to allowing people to borrow their money and it seems as if Aston Martin is getting the short end of that stick. The British sports car maker has secured a £304 million bond - about $440 million at the current rates - from global investors at a rather high 9.25% interest over the next seven years. That’s a 3-4% increase over the typical interest rate. Desperate or not, Aston Martin now has the money to design an all new platform for their full line of sports cars, including the DB9, Vantage and Rapide. Expect the new line to debut in 2015 or 2016 with the first details of the new design and production engineering showing up in a concept car sometime in 2012.
Before the British automaker moves to the new platform, however, their current VH platform will have to be modified to obey the new Federal FMVSS pedestrian impact rules. This re-engineered platform will be used for facelift versions of all three models. The new models will also benefit from new skin panels, revised interiors, and tweaked chassis and engines.
The Aston Martin DB9 has already received a major update for the 2011 model year, but one lucky tuner in Miami, Fl got the chance to make the supercar even better with a tuning package of their own. RSC Tuning have already started working on the exterior modifications for their super project, with engine mods to follow in the near future.
Changing it up a little for the Aston Martin DB9 is new RSC clear rear tail lights, a new RSC sports exhaust, RSC performance air filters, COR wheels, RSC lowering springs, RSC custom floor mats, and Vantage Collection rear diffuser. Future updates will make the kit much better as RSC Tuning is planning on performing an ECU update and using RSC 100 Cell secondary sports catalysts.
Since the engine updates have not been executed as of yet, the tuner could not volunteer any information on how it would affect the performance of the DB9. We know the 2011 Aston Martin DB9 is currently working with a 6.0L V12 engine that produces 470bhp and 442lb ft of torque. Mated to a six-speed ‘Touchtronic’ paddle-shift automatic or six-speed H-pattern manual transmission, the DB9 gets from 0-60mph in just 4.6 seconds with a top speed of 190mph. We fully expect to get much more power once the engine has been revised, and we can’t wait to hear about it!
