Aston Martin DB9 review - verdict
Aston Martin DB9 5.9 V12 Auto Road Test
Test Date 01 June 2004
Price When New £106,000
Verdict
Dealing with the bad is a gratifyingly short process with the DB9. Its steering is too heavy, as is the brake pedal, the ride is choppy on poor surfaces and a few of the switches are unbecoming of a £103k car. Other than that, as you have probably guessed, we are consumed with admiration for what Aston has achieved with this car.
It has a near-perfect transmission connected to a musical instrument of a V12 that together provide ideal performance in both quantity and quality of delivery.
More gratifying still is just how well the team that created it understand what they want Aston to be, and how closely those aspirations fit with customer demands.
And yet, for all the dynamic achievements, much of the DB9’s success must be attributed to its looks. There are very few genuinely beautiful cars replete with full 360-degree walk-round perfection, but this is one such car. People cannot believe how graceful it is in the flesh: they just point and stare. That, even more than a delightful cabin and polished dynamics, is the real denominator of success.
It matches the emotive appeal of a Ferrari or Lamborghini, adds its own brand of practicality and offers a driving experience unmatched for its versatility and all-round appeal.
Extraordinarily desirable and supremely capable, the DB9 is the best car Aston Martin has ever made and a tantalising preview of what’s to come from Gaydon.
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