Aston Martin DB9 2005 News

And they're stunning. Rather like the progeny of Brad and Angelina, you couldn't expect offspring from Zagato and Aston to be anything less. For the famed Italian design house Zagato, intimately linked with Aston Martin for over half a century, it’s only natural to mark the centenary this year of the historic British automaker, and what better way than to roll out a new Aston Martin Zagato creation.We can confirm that Zagato will build two examples of a new Aston Martin centenary special, one based on the 2013 DB9 Volante convertible and destined for a customer in the U.S. and the other on a 2013 DBS coupe.The DB9 Spyder Zagato Centennial was conceived for American car collector Peter Read, a longtime enthusiast and collector of Aston Martins. The DBS Coupe Zagato Centennial, meanwhile, was developed for a young entrepreneur based in Japan.Their designs draw inspiration from 2002’s DB7 Zagato, which proved so popular that all 99 examples allotted for sale were snapped up before the car had even made its debut at the Paris Auto Show of that same year. The same team responsible for the DB7 Zagato, led by Andrea and Marella Zagato together with Read, also worked on the latest centenary special.Looking at the renderings, it’s hard to recognise the modern Astons underpinning the cars but there’s no missing the signature of elements of both Zagato and Aston Martin. The double-bubble roof, clean surfaces and squared-off tail all scream Zagato while the grille, fender vents and fastback body tell you you’re looking at an Aston Martin well before the winged badge comes into view.You’ll also notice that there are clear influences from the V8 Zagato of the 1980s, particularly at the front of the cars. The design team’s vision is best expressed by Read, who said, “the DB9 Spyder Zagato Centennial perfectly merges Aston Martin and Zagato’s DNA by combining the elegance of design, typical of Zagato, with the soul, power and prestige of Aston Martin, all developed over the last 100 years."No changes were made to the mechanical package of either car, so they both come with Aston Martin’s venerable 6.0 litre V12, good for 380kW. Zagato has been called upon by Aston Martin to develop special bodies for its cars for more than half a century, with the partnership starting with the legendary DB4GT Zagato first shown in 1960. The cars, though expensive, have always been stunning and as history has shown they’ve all become highly sought-after collectibles.www.motorauthority.com 

James Bond's next ride could be called DB10 or DB11 but the 2013 newcomer is one of six new models on the drawing board and the VH500 holds onto a V12 engine and lightweight construction.

You can have them all for a fraction of the price.P1 is a multi-million dollar version of a car-rental company but you need to be quick if you want to be a part of the action.Less than a year after launching its Melbourne office, memberships in the exclusive and expensive rental company are running out.More than 135 Australians have signed up and the company will limit its membership to 200 to make sure there are enough cars to go around.“We'll never go above 200 members,” says James Ward, general manager of P1 in Victoria, “basically to maintain a ratio of five new members for each new car.”Though only 29 vehicles are spread across the company's three Australian locations — in Richmond, Sydney and the Gold Coast — the quality of the cars and motorbikes has seen the company lay out $29 million on equipment.Set up by former Formula One world champion Damon Hill in 2000 in Britain, the club came to Australia in December 2006. The Richmond branch opened last March.Members can join for $4550 and pay annual charges ranging from $27,000 to $36,500 to have access to a dream garage.P1's roster includes three examples of the Lamborghini Gallardo, a Lamborghini Murcielago, Ferrari 430, Ferrari 575M, Aston Martin DB9, Bentley GT Continental, Porsche 997 GT3, Porsche Cayman S, Audi RS4 Avant, Lotus Exige, Hummer H2, and a Ducati 1098 and BMW K1200 for bikers.Packages give customers a bank of points to use through the year.As is befitting the cost, the company offers a range of services. They drop off the cars anywhere they are required and can store and wash the customer's personal car.“It's as much about the car as it is about the service,” Ward says . “It's whatever suits our customers.” 

You want cool wheels? Then stick a car into a big tank of water and turn it to ice. It has to be the ultimate ice block for car enthusiasts on a hot day.The car here is an Aston Martin. The British maker of flashy sports cars provided this image to mark its award as the Britain's Coolest Car for the second year running.The award comes from the CoolBrands Council, which combines opinions of experts and consumers on Britain's strongest brands.“On the one hand, things can become cool by virtue of their necessity or prevalence in your life,” says CoolBrands Council chairman Stephen Cheliotis.“On the other hand, it can be the things you really want but may know you'll never get.”In August, Aston Martin unveiled the long-awaited DBS, seen for the first time in the latest James Bond film, Casino Royale.Aston Martin says the DBS bridges the gap between its road and track cars, the DB9 and DBR9.Aston Martin proud of its award. “To be voted the UK's coolest brand for the second-year running proves that the growth of our brand is consistent and ongoing,” says Aston Martin's Dr Ulrich Bez.“Our exciting, design-led program of new models and unparalleled attention to detail has made a major impact in the world of international culture.”Which car in Australia do you think should claim the cool brand status? (comment below)  

It should only take a glance of these pictures to understand just why it is we here at carsguide are happy campers. Just two words sum it up; Aston Martin. In the past week we've had the privilege of not one but three Aston Martin models rolling through our garage . . . and what a week that has made it. These pure-bred exotics get through on looks alone, but a quick look at their sports car credentials; places all three near the top of the table of best cars we have ever had the pleasure of driving. First out of the blocks; with an absolute burst from the big six-litre V12 under the hood and a cracking exhaust note, which is as beautiful to the ear as the sculptured car is to the eye; was the DB9 Sport. With 335kW of power and 570Nm of torque, a top-speed of 300km (not tested), and covering 0-100km/h in 4.9 seconds, you know you have a true performance vehicle at your hands. Engulfed by luxurious fittings, feeling very much as one with this tremendously well-balanced machine, it's impossible not to enjoy this experience. With 80 per cent of the V12 engine's pulling power available from as little as 1500rpm, the DB9 relaxes on the open road, with an astonishing mid-range performance which offers instant overtaking power almost regardless of engine speed, or even which gear has been selected. With the DB9 parked safely back in the Solitaire garage at Mile End, next to roll on to Adelaide roads was the V8 Vantage Roadster. This stunning drop top embodies the qualities that are integral to Aston Martin; power, beauty and soul. It's a sports car and a show piece . . . bringing equal pleasure whether it's being driven hard or for others to enjoy its fine looks. That said, the Vantage Roadster packs a 283kW, 410Nm, 4.3-litre V8 under the bonnet and is capable of doing 0-100km in five seconds and has a top speed of 280km/h; it's light weight and efficient aerodynamics the key to its performance. Don't fancy a soft-top, then the original Vantage coupe is the way to go; the same 283kW and 410Nm pushing 80kg less and the state limit is shattered in five seconds. Aston's answer to the Porsche 911, has a V8 that's endowed with a glorious howl and it's all fired through the limited slip-diff rear end; using a mid-mounted six-speed manual or optional Sportshift automated manual gearbox. It's a body work of bonded aluminium alloy, steel, composite, and magnesium but surprisingly still weighs just over 1600kg. Calling it head-turning is under-selling the reaction, such is the handsome shape. Whole bodies pivot to watch Aston Martin cars drive by and it's easy to see why.  

It is the DB9 and will be about $370,000 on the road. The DB7 replacement is all new, with an aluminium frame and body panels, lightweight composite parts such as magnesium alloy and a 6.0-litre V12 engine. The engine belts out 331kW and 570Nm and screams to 6800 revs. You can choose from a six-speed automatic with manual shift mode or six-speed manual. There is no T-bar in the automatic Aston. Drivers select drive by pressing a button on the dashboard, and it is the same for reverse and park. The DB9 is the first car to roll out of Aston Martin's new factory at Gaydon, Warwickshire. Aston Martin, James Bond's brand of choice, is part of the Premier Automotive group that includes Jaguar, Volvo and Land Rover, and is owned by Ford. The old DB7 was built on a base borrowed from the Jaguar XK, as was the Lincoln Town Car in the United States, but the DB9 has its own new base. It takes a small team 220 hours to build each DB9 -- 25 hours are spent on the paint alone. Each car has a plate under the bonnet bearing the name of the person responsible for the final inspection, perhaps so you know who to complain to if there is problem. Aston Martin prides itself on its craftsmanship and smooth lines, the perfect welds and the sumptuous interior. Almost all of the interior is coated with leather, including the dashboard, doors and transmission tunnel. The roof lining is suede. There are large panels of wood-grain on the doors and dashboard and metal highlights spread around the cabin. Owners can customise their cars with 21 paint colours, 20 leather trims and eight types of carpet. The DB9 runs on lightweight 19-inch alloy wheels with cross-drilled brake discs and four-pot calipers. It comes with all the safety systems from the Ford family, including anti-skid brakes, electronic stability control and traction control. ON THE ROAD TRUE supercars can thrill without turning a wheel. Just sliding into the leather-bound cockpit of the DB9 is enough to stir the emotions of the car lover. But the buzz is provided by one button in the middle of the dashboard. It is the start button, the trigger that fires the V12 engine under the vented bonnet. Pressing this starter and feeling the 6.0-litre engine fire into action is one of moments you will always remember. The guttural roar, as 12 cylinders report for duty, enters the lush interior that can be serene at highway speeds. The DB9 can be driven in full auto mode, but you can also choose the magnesium alloy paddles on the steering column to move through the six gears. The test drive of the Aston was tainted by rain that ruined any chance of testing the car's full potential. The traction control system allows you to have some fun before stepping in to help you out. You can turn it off, as we did for a while, but the concrete walls remind you not to do anything silly in a $370,000 car. Even in the wet, the Aston accelerates like a jet. It is fun to rev out the awesome engine. The V12 has so much power it can limber around with hardly any effort (about 80 per cent of torque is available from 1500 revs). The gear changes are not as quick as with the BMW SMG gearbox, but the Aston is tuned for smooth changes. In Sport mode, the throttle blips on down changes to create a fabulous engine noise. The Aston seems to have excellent cornering grip given the conditions, but it is hard to test in the wet. It is a pretty smooth ride on the highway for a supercar, but ruts and bumps do still jolt occupants. The DB9 is technically a four-seater, but even jockeys would be uncomfortable in the back, there's so little head and leg room. The driver and front passenger won't have to worry, with soft supportive seats that are also heated. At 100km/h the DB9 eases along the road, the engine doing only 1750 revs. It loves the country kilometres and looks stunning on the road with its elegant form, sleek coupe roof-line and low ride height. The only disappointment was some roof trim coming loose at the back and a key-fob that is shared with Volvo. THE SUPER SPY'S CAR OF CHOICE Aston Martin company was founded in 1913 by Lionel Martin and business partner Robert Banford. The Aston comes from a hill climb at Aston Clinton, near London, a race in which Martin's cars competed. While regarded as one of the most British of British car brands, the company almost folded until rescued by Augusto Bertelli, an Italian migrant, in 1926. The firm has had many owners, most of whom have struggled with bankruptcy. Aston Martin's most famous loyalist is film legend James Bond. By 1964's Goldfinger Bond's silver birch DB5 was fitted with its famed gadgets, including revolving number plates and machine guns. The suave spy again drove the DB5 in the 1965 movie Thunderball. It made brief appearances in GoldenEye in 1995 and Tomorrow Never Dies in 1997, by which time Pierce Brosnan was playing the spy. The recent Bond car from Aston Martin was the Vanquish in Die Another Day. Aston Martin's current owner is Ford. The US giant bought into the company in 1987, taking total control in 1991. It's part of Ford's prestige automotive group. The 1948 DB1 was named after then owner David Brown. What's your favourite classic car? We'd like to know. Simply fill in the form below and we'll publish the best entries in The Daily Telegraph and on Carsguide.com.au. Herald Sun, The Daily Telegraph