New 2011 Aston Martin DB9 Coupe and DB9 Volante Pictures

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2011 Aston Martin DB9 Coupe and DB9 Volante

Aston Martin’s long-awaited update to the DB9, a car many consider to be as close to aesthetic perfection as any coupe or convertible can get these days, brings almost no changes to the exterior. How can we complain about that without sounding bratty? Although timelessness counts for a lot in this business, so does freshness. So we sort of wish that the 2011 model changes, the most significant since the DB9’s 2004 introduction, went a little further than a new front fascia, brighter grillework, subtly reshaped side sills, and “new” headlamp bezels that we’re still struggling to see as different. (Where are the LED turn signals or DRLs, à la Rapide and Vantage, guys?) Diamond-turned 20-inch wheels, like those available on Aston’s other offerings, become DB9-isms for 2011 as well.

Under the skin, the only update of note is the fitment of Aston’s Active Damping System, which features Comfort and Sport settings, in place of last year’s passive (but hardly sloppy) system. Tire-pressure monitoring and Bluetooth connectivity have found their way into the DB9 for next year, and the options list has grown to include a new “Double Apex” alloy trim treatment and a Bang & Olufsen sound system, the latter also previously available throughout the rest of the Aston lineup. There are no changes to the sonorous, 470-hp, 5.9-liter V-12 under the hood, nor the six-speed manual or automatic transaxles. The engine and ZF automatic saw upgrades for the 2009 model year. While the changes are limited in our eyes, Aston did have its hands full with development of the Rapide and One-77, so we’re willing to cut it some slack. Now, whether customers will bear that in mind as Aston asks them to hand over a large sum of money—$188,965 for the coupe or $202,465 for the Volante—in exchange for a brand-new car that, while still aesthetically brilliant, appears virtually identical to the last seven years of DB9s is a tougher call.

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