Aston Martin DB9 Volante Touchtronic

 

What‘s it? Strange how car makers often leave the very best until last. Here’s Aston Martin DB9 Volante Touchtronics five-year-old DB9 Volante going through its second mid-life tweak, with just a few many years of life left, and It‘s struck gold. The alterations are minimal, really, but what an effect. Visually, You will find a few external styling tweaks towards the grille, bumpers and tail-lights. But crucially, the Volante also gets new computer-controlled Bilstein dampers, managed by mapping that shows Aston’s engineers can produce a nicely balanced yet compliant chassis still proficient at excellent body control. What’s it like? In so doing, they’ve fed some Jaguar-style sophistication straight into the DB9’s chassis. Exactly what a contrast towards the first-gen Volante, a soggy and ill-disciplined machine. The foundations for that transformation were laid inside the DB9’s 2010 model year revisions late last year. A brand new cross-car beam with beefed-up support to the steering column sharpened the steering and also a shear panel stiffener to the front subframe eradicated front-end waywardness. Aston introduced Bilstein dampers set up of Multimatic units back then, however they still operated with distinct bump / rebound steps. There was only one setting.

For better body control, you had the need to spec the sports chassis, using the inevitably compromised ride. These new infinitely variable dampers eliminate those steps, and convey a far better standard setting or firmer ride in the touch of the button. For some drivers, one‘s body control still may not be sufficiently Germanic and iron-fisted, even inside the sports setting. But other consumers will regard it as an excellent step forward. Actually, the convenience with which the Volante now carries speed through corners throws the spotlight upon the ZF auto, which, sometimes, seems non-plussed from the Volante’s new alacrity.

It’s a small point, however it gives clues to where Aston Martin DB9 Volante will certainly be going using the new DB9, out around 2012 / 13. That car will certainly be based around today’s underpinnings. Should I buy one? If Aston can squeeze further significant improvements from the existing bonded alloy chassis, as It‘s inside the 2011 model year cars, probably the DB9 includes a fascinating future. But at this time, this is actually the best DB9 Volante you can purchase.   Aston Martin DB9 Volante TouchtronicPrice : £134, 445 ; Top speed : 190mph ; 0-62mph : 4. 6sec ; Economy : 19. 4mpg ; CO2 : 345g / km ; Kerb weight : 1800kg ; Engine type : V12, 5935cc, petrol ; Power : 470bhp ; Torque : 443lb ft ; Gearbox : 6-speed automatic.