The largely handmade, pricey V-12–powered DB9 is a stylish coupe that packs enough leather trim, beautiful details, and performance to satisfy even the most jaded sybarite. It’s not as engaging as its competition, and its quality is suspect, but it’s still an elegant choice. The DB9 sounds great and looks great. It might leave you stranded, and it can’t quite match its competitors’ performance.

On sale since 2004, the Aston Martin DB9 superseded the long-lived DB7 Vantage. The DB9 is powered by a 6.0-liter V-12 engine that generates 450 horsepower. Either a conventional six-speed manual gearbox or a button-controlled six-speed automatic can be installed. Aston Martin says the manual-shift DB9 can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds.

The DB9 was the first car to be hand-built at a new state-of-the-art facility in Gaydon, Warwickshire, England. In addition to the coupe, a Volante convertible is also offered.

2007 Aston Martin DB9 Base Coupe Performance 
5,935 cc 5.9 liters V 12 front engine with 88.9 mm bore, 79.5 mm stroke, 10.3 compression ratio, double overhead cam and four valves per cylinder
Premium unleaded fuel 91
Fuel economy EPA highway (mpg): 19 and EPA city (mpg): 12
Multi-point injection fuel system
22.5 gallon main premium unleaded fuel tank
Power: 336 kW , 450 HP SAE @ 6,000 rpm; 420 ft lb , 569 Nm @ 5,000 rpm
 
2007 Aston Martin DB9 Base Coupe Handling 
Four-wheel ABS
Brake assist system
Four disc brakes including four ventilated discs
Electronic brake distribution
Electronic traction control via ABS & engine management
Immobilizer
Rear limited slip differential
Stability control
Wishbone front and rear suspension independent with stabilizer bar and coil springs
Tire kit
 
2007 Aston Martin DB9 Base Coupe Exterior 
Body color front and rear bumpers
Chrome/bright trim around side windows and on side of body
Driver and passenger power heated body color door mirrors
External dimensions: overall length (inches): 185.4, overall width (inches): 73.8, overall height (inches): 51.9, wheelbase (inches): 107.9, front track (inches): 61.7, rear track (inches): 61.5 and curb to curb turning circle (feet): 37.7
Electric foldable mirrors
Headlight cleaners
Projector beam lens Xenon bulb headlights
Luxury trim wood & leather on doors and wood & leather on dashboard
Gloss paint
Fixed rear window with defogger
Tinted glass on cabin
Weights: curb weight (lbs) 3,968
Windshield wipers with variable intermittent wipe