Handy Auto Guide

The folks over at Motor Authority were fortunate to spend some time with the Aston Martin DB9 and recorded some informative stuff in their review of the coupe. 'At first glance, however, it’s hard to classify the DB9 as a blue-blooded Brit. The CEO of the company is a manic German engineer, whose involvement was a key factor in establishing the performance leap of the new coupe over the previous DB7. The car’s lines were penned by another German, BMW design works Chief Henrik Fisker, after the initial designer, Ian Callum, was transferred to Jaguar. The heart of the DB9, the 5.9L V12, is produced in Cologne, Germany, along with the six-speed auto transmission, which comes from gearbox specialist ZF. Even the car’s electronic and safety features were developed in conjunction with the Swedes over at Volvo.

A review of the 2007 Aston Martin DB9 super car has been posted over at Australian Car Advice. 'The DB9 doesn’t have to shout with its looks, like a patient predator, the DB9 can sit calmly next to a café as you enjoy a drink, but when its time to go, it will turn every head with its presence. Initially when we picked up the Aston we nearly walked right past it, it’s a case of a double-take with the DB9, you look, and then you look again and realise that you have just laid eyes upon a masterpiece. The design was started by Ian Calum and finished by Henrik Fisker. What these two men created is arguably the best looking Aston Martin to date. Far more sophisticated and graceful than the DB7. You can look at it in every which way you want, you can even hang upside down from a tree if you want to, the DB9 is stunning from the front, side and rear.'

Auto Express have published a review of the Aston Martin DBS supercar. 'At £160,000, it competes with Ferrari’s 599 GTB and Lamborghini’s LP640. But even though it’s more luxurious and driver-focused than any Aston before it, is the DBS really worth £50,000 more than the DB9? Well, no car can match the newcomer for coolness. Drawing on the looks of the firm’s DBR9 race entry, it adds skirts, spoilers and ducts. The result is a suave yet aggressive design. In a first for Aston, many body panels are made of carbon fibre which, along with the carbon-ceramic brake discs, help to save around 42kg.Inside, the cabin is trimmed in suede and leather, with new graphite-backed dashboard instruments.'

Auto Express have published a review of the Aston Martin V8 Vantage N400 supercar. 'Available in Coupé or Roadster trim, only 240 examples of each body style will be made, priced from £94,000 and £102,000 respectively. They are being built to celebrate Aston Martin’s participation in several editions of the gruelling Nür­burg­ring 24 Hour races, in which the company used a near standard production V8 Vantage called the N24. What’s more, the N400 has spent thousands of miles being fine-tuned at the famous German track. That presence has certainly paid a dividend in raw pace – Aston now claims the N400 is among only a handful of production cars that can lap the circuit in less than eight minutes. But carrying a price tag £11,200 higher than the standard Vantage’s, is the N400 really worth the extra?'

A review of the 2008 Aston Martin DBS supercar has been posted over at CarAdvice.com.au. 'Hand assembled at Aston Martin’s dedicated engine facility in Cologne, Germany, the 6.0-litre V12 offers prodigious power and loads of linear, usable torque. An impressive 380kW @6500rpm and 570Nm from 5750rpm, grants the DBS a 0-100km/h time of 4.3 seconds which though at first may seem a little uninspiring by comparison to similarly priced Italian supercars, pales in to insignificance when compared to the rapid increase in speed delivery beyond 150km/h. This is what truly defines the DBS in to a realm worthy of so very few.'

SearchChicago have published a review of the 2009 Aston Martin V8 Vantage roadster. 'The V8 Vantage is arguably the best-driving Aston, with much of the spirit of the great old Astons I've driven, although it has a heavier feel with its added comfort, convenience and safety equipment. Steering is precise, quick and tight. Handling is superb, even during tricky high-speed mountain driving. Powerful brakes are controlled by a pedal with a smooth linear action. The ride is comfortable, although some might feel it's too firm with the new Sports Pack option