Aston Martin DB9 - the best Aston Martin yet?

For my money, this is probably the most beautiful design in current automobiles. No wings and air dams appearing as carbon-fibre add-ons. Just pure symmetry of line. If you want to be a trendsetter, this is the vehicle for you. Forget Ferrari, forget Porsche and Bentley. Order a DB9.

Aston Martin DB9

Aston Martin began with a chap called Martin, and they used to run the cars up the Aston Clinton hill climb, and became Aston Martins. Saved from extinction in 1933 by a titled gentleman, Sir Arthur Sutherland KBE, and again in 1947 by wealthy industrialist David Brown (who gave the Aston Martins their ‘DB’ model insignia), the company was later saved by the Ford Motor Company, who had also picked up Jaguar, Volvo and Land Rover, to then put all these brands together under the Premier Automotive Group (PAG) umbrella.

Despite howls of outrage from enthusiasts world-wide, the DB9 V12 is spearheading the resurgence of the marque. The DB9 is built on an all-new VH platform with twice the rigidity of the old model. VH stands for Vertical Horizontal, and this platform is exclusive to Aston Martin.

The DB9 features a bonded aluminium frame, on to which the body panels and everything else is bolted. Almost a return to classical body and chassis concept, though this time the ‘chassis’ is vertical, as well as being horizontal. Since the body panels are no longer needed to give rigidity to the vehicle’s structure, it become easy to make styling changes for different variations on the DB9 theme - even an open topped model, the DB9 Volante, due later this year.

The DB9 has a six litre V12 up front, but brought as far back as possible to end up with a 50/50 weight distribution between front and rear axles. This is Aston Martin’s own engine, but has been re-engineered for the DB9, with a new crankshaft, cams, manifold, and engine-management system for more midrange torque. For a relatively light car, coming through the extensive use of aluminium, the torque figure of 567 Nm is more than enough to keep a push in your back through to its top whack of a smidgin under 300 kph.

The ZF semi-manual gearbox is in this application called Touchtronic 2 (shades of Porsche’s Tiptronic), so that it can be used like a manual, but without a clutch pedal. It has all the electronic ‘smarts’ so that when you are downshifting it gives the engine that professional ‘blip’ to synchronize the revs, and if you insist, it will hold any gear right the way through to red-line. However, for most people, it will be a case of selecting one of the auto drive modes and just enjoy the smoothness that this car offers.

Reports from critical scribes such as in the UK Top Gear programme and from respected motor-noter Peter Robinson all are in agreement that this is the best engineered Aston Martin ever. “There is room for Aston Martin to drive a wedge between sports cars like the Ferrari 360 Modena and GT models like the Bentley Continental,” says Aston Martin CEO Ulrich Bez.

This Aston Martin is already one of the most exclusive sports cars in the world. For the trend-setters, I would suggest that you not wait for James Bond to add his armaments and accessories to this DB9. It has enough already! Place your order today.

Vehicle type: front engine, rear wheel drive, 2+2 passenger, 2 door coupe

Estimated base price: USD 155,000 (expect well over 20 million baht here)

Engine: DOHC 48 valve V 12, aluminium block and heads

Displacement: 362 cu in (5935cc)

Power (SAE net): 444 bhp @ 6000 rpm

Torque (SAE net): 420 lb ft @ 5000 rpm (567 Nm)

Zero to 100 kph: 4.7 (manual), 4.9 sec (auto)

Zero to 160 kph: 10.8 (manual), 10.9 sec (auto)

Top speed: 297 kph

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Living with an ‘orphan’ There are many good reasons for buying a Honda or a Toyota in this country, or an Isuzu or a Ford if you want a pick-up. And just about all of those good reasons come to play when the car or pick-up is a few years old. The turning point is service and spares. Unfortunately, no matter what car you buy, eventually it is going to need repair. Any wares made by man eventually wear out. This is a given. They can make anything to the finest tolerances, but eventually it will wear out. Automotive electronics too are notorious for just deciding to give up the ghost for no apparent reason. You all know just how reliable your personal computer can be. They put PC’s in cars these days, so they will fail even earlier. Guaranteed! Which gets me back to Toyota and Honda cars, Ford and Isuzu pick-ups. These vehicles wear out too, even though they all have a fine record of reliability in this country, but here’s the differences between them and buying an MG, or a Renault or a Fiat - availability of spare parts and even more importantly, availability of diagnostic equipment to work out what has failed, as they must (in time) do. Since more than 50 percent of failures have some kind of electronic component involved, you are not going to find the problem with an adjustable spanner and an insulated screwdriver. Specialized diagnostic equipment is all computerized black box stuff these days. And that gets us back to buying an orphan. You can often pick up bargains in purchasing a car that someone brought in to this country on their own. Unfortunately these cars have no parent organization behind them. Real orphans! Caveat Emptor - Let the buyer beware! Autotrivia Quiz Last week, I mentioned that with all the hysteria over crude oil prices and saving power, there is much talk about changing to alternate fuels. Gasohol has been pushed by various (vested?) interests, and biodiesel as well. Now Diesel was named after Rudolf Diesel, so last week’s question was where did the name ‘petrol’ come from? The correct answer was that it was registered as a trade name in 1896 by the firm of Capel, Carless and Leonard! (Gasoline was an American term that was used before the era of the automobile.) So to this week. There was a very famous car sometimes called the Mystery S. It was designed by a Frenchman. It was involved in land speed records. It was driven by an army gentleman. What was the ‘real’ name of this car? And what was the speed it attained? For the Automania FREE beer this week, be the first correct answer to email [email protected] Good luck! Some overland exploration trips My old friend Captain Sitthichoke has another couple of caravans organized, one for the New Year period and another in February, and has sent me some details. Captain Sitthichoke is very well experienced in these and runs a safe trip each time. He speaks perfect English too, so you can ring him up to get more details. The New Year caravan gets you to celebrate New Year at Luang Prabang in Laos. This is for a maximum of 20 vehicles and bookings close December 15. He requires 50 percent deposit upon booking. He says he can accept all types of cars but prefers 4x4 Offroad trucks or 2x4 pick up trucks and SUVs. Here is the program for the caravan to Luang Prabang (4D / 3N): 30 December 04. Meeting at the Friendship Bridge, escort to Luang Prabang on road No13 North on the way via Vang Vieng’s Village, Kasi Village, Phu Khun - late afternoon arrival Luang Prabang, check in Hay Sok Hotel. Meals - lunch at Kasi Village, dinner at hotel. 31 Dec 04 Luang Prabang - Kuang Si Waterfall. After breakfast, trip by your own vehicles to visit waterfall and Thamting Cave, afternoon picnic lunch at local restaurant. Late afternoon return to your hotel. Dinner at the hotel. 01 Jan 05 Luang Prabang - Vientiane: 380 km. After breakfast, our tour guide will take you to visit the King’s palace then return to Vientiane late afternoon arrival check in Angkham Hotel, dinner and accommodation there. 02 Jan 05 Departure. After breakfast, check out of the hotel and sightseeing Vientiane. Visit That Luang Stupa, Patuxay Monument and shopping for Lao souvenirs then transfer to Friendship Bridge to depart from Laos. The costs will be around B. 8100 per person and B. 850 per vehicle and includes accommodation in twin sharing room + breakfast / 3nights, full board meals, insurance, company car escort on the way, police service, entrance fee, car driving permit, tour guide and bridge ticket fee. It excludes the visa on arrival at border, telephone, drinks, whisky, beer and petrol. For further information you can contact Captain Sitthichoke 01 864 2270 or tel/fax 038 432 226 or email [email protected] [email protected] The February 2005 caravan is a trip to Kunming, China after Chinese New Year 2005. Tentative dates are February 13-21, 2005. He will only accept 15 cars (max) due to long convoy and traffic in China. Participants can come in both 4x4 or 2x4 pickup trucks or SUVs. All brakes and handbrakes must be in tip-top condition, otherwise they will not pass the strict rules and regulations which every foreign car must pass after arrival in China, applied by the Chinese Land Transport Departments. This is based on his experience from the last trip to Kunming in October this year. Interested participants please be warned and guided accordingly. Entries will close by January 15, 2005 and those wish to join the trip must pay a 50 percent advance upon confirming the booking. He suggests early bookings as it takes time to clear formalities, documentation, etc., for Thai registered cars on the China side.

The “ultimate” super cars? Lambo Jet-thruster I received these pictures from my old mate George Comino, and most of them do not need any explanations. The Lamborghini Diablo is the ideal transport for someone into an add-on performance booster. This should be able to do 0-100 kph in around 1.4 seconds (estimated). Bush’s Mazda The Mazda Tomcat looks just the ticket for George Dubbya for relaxing weekends at Camp David, getting rid of anyone who might have voted Democrat in the last election, while the photo of the motorcycle rider shows why Harley-Davidsons got to be called “Hogs”. The first Harley? Greenpeace Pig However, the heavily disguised Greenpeace Mercedes Benz shows just when they think the world will stop polluting itself - when pigs might fly! Thank you George for this week’s funnies!