aston martin db9

The Aston Martin DB9 is a GT sports car launched by Aston Martin in 2004.
The DB9 is the first model to be built at Aston Martin's Gaydon facility in Warwickshire, England. The moniker "DB" stems from the initials of David Brown, the owner of Aston Martin for a significant part of its history. The DB9, which was designed by Ian Callum and finished by his successor, Henrik Fisker, superseded the now-discontinued Aston Martin DB7 (also by Callum) which started production in 1994.

OVERVIEW
                                    The Aston Martin DB9 comes in two variants; the coupé and 'Volante' convertible, each producing 470 bhp (350 kW; 477 PS) from a 6.0L V12 engine, originally taken from its sister car the V12 Vanquish. In fact, this V12 engine is why Aston Martin did not call the car the DB8, which could suggest that it has only a V8 engine. One report states that Aston Martin believed that this car was such a huge leap from the Jaguar XJ-S based DB7 that it named it DB9 instead of DB8, which they thought would indicate a gradual evolution. The Gaydon facility's production capacity for the DB9 could allow for approximately five thousand units per year, which is roughly the same production volume as other esteemed sports cars, in particular the Ferrari F430 and Porsche 911 Turbo. The DB9, however, is more often compared against other competitors in its segment: the Ian Callum designed Jaguar XKR, the Volkswagen-produced Bentley Continental GT, the ten-cylinder powered BMW M6, and the AMG variants of the Mercedes-Benz SL. Traditionally being a maker of more exclusive automobiles, CEO Dr. Ulrich Bez assures Aston Martin loyalists that production numbers of the DB9 will be slightly higher than previous models; however, Aston Martin will still retain only a small statistical percentage of the high-end sports car market.

The DB9 is the first Aston Martin model to be designed and developed upon Ford's aluminium VH (vertical/horizontal) platform. The body structure is composed of aluminium and composites melded together by mechanically fixed self-piercing rivets and robotic assisted adhesive bonding techniques. The innovative bonded aluminium structure possesses more than double the torsional rigidity of its predecessor's, despite being 25 percent lighter.[4] Aston Martin's engineers designed the quad-cam, 48-valve engine for the V12 Vanquish in collaboration with Ford's Research and Vehicle Technology team (RVT) and were able to reduce its weight by 11.8 kg (26 lb) for use in the DB9.

SPECIFICATION

 Base Price: £111,000 Coupe; £124,000 Volante convertible
Power: 350 kW (476 PS; 469 bhp) (469 hp) @ 6000 rpm
Torque: 600 N·m (443 lbf·ft) @ 5000 rpm
Weight: 1,760 kg (3,880 lb)
0–60 mph (0–97 km/h): 4.6 seconds
0–100 km/h (0–62 mph): 4.8 seconds
Top Speed: 306 km/h (190 mph)

FEATURES
                     The DB9 features a 6.0-liter V12 engine producing 470 horsepower at 6,000 rpm, and a torque output of 443 lb-ft at 5,000 rpm. At the same time, the car's six-speed automated manual with a computer controlled clutch has been reprogrammed to allow it to shift faster. These changes combine to make the car three tenths of a second quicker in the 0 to 60 mph sprint, while the six-speed manual cars are only a tenth quicker thanks to a power hike.

In addition to the straight-line performance, handling of the newest DB9 is improved thanks to Bilstein shocks, new suspension arms and bushings, and 19-inch wheels. These suspension upgrades resulted in a sportier ride, while the Volante's (convertible model) ride is made cushier.

The DB9's bumpers are invisible. The front number plate is part of the crash structure and computer modeling has enabled Aston Martin to use invisible 'hard pressure zones' to cope with bumps.

The side strakes - an Aston Martin DB signature - are made from metal. The door handles are flush with the body opening the unique 'swan wing' doors, which rise at a 12-degree angle for improved access.

There are no visible gutters on the roof panel, and no visible drain channels at the front or rear windscreens. Nor are there any plastic 'dressing' plates.

The interior features an elegant center console, finished almost entirely in
die-cast zinc with an iridium finish. What isn't finished in iridium is finished in a mix of high quality leather or one of five different hand-finished wood trims, ranging from Walnut to Piano Black.

The Aston Martin DB9 is also available in a convertible model, designated by the unique Volante name.

Engine Cooling System

Liquid cooling systems are employed by most engines today. A typical automotive cooling system comprises

(1) a series of channels cast into the engine block and cylinder head, surrounding the combustion chambers with circulating water or other coolant to carry away excessive heat,
(2) a radiator, consisting of many small tubes equipped with a honeycomb of fins to radiate heat rapidly, that receives and cools hot liquid from the engine,
(3) a centrifugal-type water pump with which to circulate coolant,
(4) a thermostat, which maintains constant temperature by automatically varying the amount of coolant passing into the radiator, and
(5) a fan, which draws fresh air through the radiator.

For operation at temperatures below 32º F (0º C), it is necessary to prevent the coolant from freezing. This is usually done by adding some compound to depress the freezing point of the coolant. Alcohol formerly was commonly used, but it has a relatively low boiling point and evaporates quite easily, making it less desirable than organic compounds with a high boiling point, such as ethylene glycol. By varying the amount of additive, it is possible to protect against freezing of the coolant down to any minimum temperature normally encountered. Coolants contain corrosion inhibitors designed to make it necessary to drain and refill the cooling system only once a year.

Air-cooled cylinders operate at higher, more efficient temperatures, and air cooling offers the important advantage of eliminating not only freezing and boiling of the coolant at temperature extremes but also corrosion damage to the cooling system. Control of engine temperature is more difficult, however, and high-temperature-resistant ceramic parts are required when design operating temperatures are significantly increased.

Pressurized cooling systems with operating pressures up to 14 pounds per square inch (100 kilopascals) have been used to increase effective operating temperatures. Partially sealed systems using coolant reservoirs for coolant expansion if the engine overheats were introduced in 1970.