Already 10 years old, the Aston Martin DB9->ke210 will continue to be around until 2016, when the British automaker will unveil its successor. Whether the next-gen model will still carry the DB9 moniker or not is still unknown, but a report coming from Autocar claims Aston Martin->ke13 has submitted trademark filings for names DB10 through DB14.

Although these trademarks could be used for five different models, Aston Martin is expected to pick the DB10 name for the next-generation DB9. The Brits are known to move forward with the numerical denomination of its models to emphasize the advances made in terms of design and performance. However, Aston Martin skipped on the DB8 name, jumping from DB7->ke352 to DB9 in 2004. That being said, the next-gen DB could very well be launched as the DB11, with the DB10 trademark filed just to protect the numerical denomination.

Scheduled to go on sale for 2017 model year, the next-generation DB9 will ride on a brand-new modular platform and feature a twin-turbocharged V-8 engine built by Mercedes's->ke187 AMG->ke8 division.

Click past the jump to read more about the Aston Martin DB9

Why It Matters

While the news doesn't shed too much light on the next-gen DB9 and its official name, the trademarks confirm things are well underway in Gaydon, with Aston taking care of all the little details before building and testing new prototypes. Hopefully we'll see them being tested on public roads in 2015.

Aston Martin DB9

Introduced in 2003 in both coupe and convertible guises, the Aston Martin DB9 replaced the aging DB7. Designed by Ian Callum and Henrik Fisker, the DB9 is built on the company's ubiquitous VH platform is uses a naturally aspirated, 6.0-liter, V-12 engine mated to either six-speed manual or automatic transmissions. Initially power stood at 450 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque, but engine updated operated for the 2013 model year increased output to 510 ponies and 457 pound-feet. The coupe needs only 4.1 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph, while top speed is rated at 183 mph.

Throughout its life, the DB9 received many special-edition models and two race-spec version -- the DBR9 and the DBRS9. The former has won events in the American Le Mans Series and the FIA GT Championship, including the 12 Hours of Sebring and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.