Aston Martin DB9
2004-2016 · Aston Martin DB9 — Grand Tourer, V12, designed by Henrik Fisker.
The Story
The DB9 defined modern Aston Martin. Launched in 2004 as the first car on the new bonded-aluminium VH platform and the first built at Gaydon, it paired Henrik Fisker and Ian Callum’s timeless shape with a 6.0 V12 – a design so right it underpinned Aston’s look for over a decade.
Aston skipped ‘DB8’ to avoid implying a V8; ~16,500 were built across 12 years (DB9, DB9 GT). It was the volume backbone that funded the modern era – and remains a benchmark front-engined GT.
The Numbers
Benchmarked against its class
Each dial ranks this car within its Grand Tourer class — fuller means higher, and the tick marks the class midpoint.
Signature Colors
The Designer
Henrik Fisker
Danish designer-entrepreneur; as Aston’s design director (2001-05) he shaped the DB9 and V8 Vantage. Earlier designed the BMW Z8; later founded Fisker (Karma, Ocean EVs). Source: Wikipedia.
Studio Motors POV
The car that set the modern Aston template and still looks a million dollars – currently the most car-for-money in the V12 GT world. Buy the GT, or a rare manual.
The Engine
Aston Martin V12 (NA)
Market & Value
Values on cars like this move monthly. Our brokers price from real transactions.
What Reviewers Said About DB9
Worth Knowing About the DB9
3 Things You Didn’t Know
- 1. Aston skipped 'DB8' entirely – fearing the name implied a V8, it jumped from DB7 to DB9.
- 2. It was the first Aston built at the new Gaydon factory and the first on the VH bonded-aluminium platform.
- 3. Its Fisker/Callum shape set Aston's design language for more than a decade.
5 Fast Facts
- 1. 2004-2016; ~16,500 built – a modern-era backbone.
- 2. 6.0 V12: 450 bhp rising to 540 bhp (DB9 GT, 2014).
- 3. First VH-platform car; first built at Gaydon.
- 4. 0-60 ~4.4-4.7s; ~183-186 mph.
- 5. Designed by Henrik Fisker & Ian Callum (Marek Reichman facelifts).
Provenance
Owners & what to look for
Famous Owners
No specific DB9 celebrity owner verified (widely owned).
Studio Buyer’s Brief
The DB9 GT (2014-16, 540 bhp) is the best to own – most power, best interior, run-out desirability. Early manuals are rare and prized. Check the V12 coil packs, auto/clutch and bonded-chassis accident history. Superb value for a V12 Aston GT right now.
Full Specifications
- Make / Model
- Aston Martin DB9
- Class
- Grand Tourer
- Production years
- 2004-2016
- Units built
- ~16,500 units
- Variants
- DB9 Volante; DB9 GT (2014, 540 hp); DB9 LM
- Engine layout
- Front
- Engine
- V12
- Engine family
- Aston Martin V12 (NA)
- Displacement
- 5,935 cc (5.9L)
- Power
- 540 hp
- Torque
- 457 lb-ft
- 0–60 mph
- 4.4 s
- Top speed
- 183 mph
- Power-to-weight
- 303 hp/tonne · 7.3 lb/hp
- Transmission
- 6-speed ZF Touchtronic auto (6-speed Graziano manual early)
- Drivetrain
- RWD (front-mid engine) · Petrol
- Curb weight
- 3935 lb
Questions
DB9 FAQ
Why is the Aston Martin DB9 historically significant?
The DB9, launched in 2004, was the first car built on Aston Martin’s new bonded-aluminium VH platform and the first produced at the Gaydon factory. Aston Martin deliberately skipped the ‘DB8’ name, fearing buyers would assume a V8 engine, and jumped straight to DB9.
Who designed the Aston Martin DB9?
The DB9 was designed by Ian Callum and Henrik Fisker — Callum laid most of the early design work, and Fisker (Aston Martin Design Director from 2001) completed and refined it for production. Marek Reichman later oversaw facelifts.
What is the Aston Martin DB9 GT?
The DB9 GT, introduced in 2015, is the final and most powerful variant, producing 540 bhp from the 6.0-litre naturally aspirated V12 — up from the 450 bhp of the original 2004 car. It also received revised suspension and interior upgrades, making it the definitive specification to seek for the production run.
What is an Aston Martin DB9 worth today?
Aston Martin DB9 examples trade for approximately $45,000-$95,000 in 2025. The DB9 GT (2014-2016, 540 bhp) and rare early manual cars command the highest values. With approximately 16,500 produced, the DB9 offers strong value as an entry to V12 Aston Martin ownership.
What is the difference between the Aston Martin DB9 and DBS?
The DBS (2007) sits above the DB9 in the range. It uses the same 5.9-litre V12 but tuned to 510 bhp versus the DB9’s 450-540 bhp, adds carbon-fibre body panels, a larger front splitter, revised suspension, and carbon-ceramic brakes. The DBS was Aston’s flagship super-GT; the DB9 was the mainstream grand tourer.
The Aston Martin Lineup
Explore every Aston Martin
DB4 GT Zagato ’60DB5 ’63DB6 ’65DBS (1967) ’67V8 ’69
Lagonda ’76V8 Vantage (1977) ’77
V8 Vantage (Supercharged) ’93DB7 ’94DB7 Vantage ’99
V12 Vanquish ’01DB9 ’04V8 Vantage (2005) ’05DBS (2007) ’07V12 Vantage (2009) ’09One-77 ’09
Rapide ’10Vanquish (2012) ’12V12 Zagato ’12V12 Vantage GT12 ’15DB11 ’16Vanquish Zagato ’16Vantage ’18DBS Superleggera ’18
DBX ’20Valkyrie ’21V12 Speedster ’21V12 Vantage (2022) ’22Valour ’23Vanquish (2024) ’24Valiant ’24Valhalla ’25
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