Two of Britain’s most impressive and beautiful GTs get a makeover this year, not that anyone thought they needed them…
Aston Martin DB9
When you think of cars in need of a facelift, the Aston Martin DB9 really isn’t the first that springs to mind. A truly stunning design today, even 6 years after it’s launch, it has beauty and grace befitting a high-end Aston Martin Gran Tourismo.
But after 6 years Aston needs to keep it’s potential customers interested, especially with newer rivals out in the marketplace. So a ‘facelift’ is introduced. Now we wouldn’t be suprised if you, the reader, looks at the picture below and says “What facelift?”
And to be honest, you’d be right. Only the front bumper and wheels have been changed. But why alter what is arguably one of the most beautiful designs ever penned? The headlights have some slightly different graphics, and the lower intakes of the front bumper are reprofiled with some sating silver mesh. The grille has a different finish too. The new alloy wheel design was originally seen on the DBS in grey/polished finish, in this form they are all in silver. The final touch are the rear lights which now come in clear as standard, though thankfully the original red lights are still available at no cost.
The majority of the changes to this facelift are mechanical. Under the skin the DB9’s passive damping system has been replaced by a new Adaptive Damping System (ADS) from the Rapide, which offers enhanced ride comfort together with sharper handling when switched to Sport mode. The ADS system is offered as standard equipment across the range, encompassing both Coupe and Volante (convertible). A new tyre pressure monitoring system, a revised Bluetooth microphone system and the addition of a new Double Apex alloy finish trim and Bang & Olufsen hi-fi options are also available.
Performance still comes from the 6.0 liter V12 engine, which develops an unchanged 470bhp and 442lb-ft of torque. The engine is mated to a choice of six-speed ‘Touchtronic’ paddle-shift automatic or six-speed H-pattern manual transmissions. A top speed of 190mph and the ability to hit 60mph in just 4.5 seconds finish off the complete story.
The Aston Martin DB9 is available as either Coupe or Volante with rear mid-mounted six-speed manual gearbox as standard or optional ‘Touchtronic 2’ six-speed automatic transmission. Production of the revised DB9 is already underway, with deliveries commencing in July.
Jaguar XKR 75
A faster, more focused and exclusive XKR special edition has been launched to celebrate Jaguar’s 75th anniversary.
Badged – wait for it – the XKR 75, the new model will be limited to just (go on, guess…) 75 examples. Which is a shame, because we think the car looks stunning with its new Stratus Grey finish and unique (but optional) body graphic that runs from the front bumper to the rear haunches.
Other visual highlights include red brake callipers to set-off the 20-inch gloss Vortex forged lightweight alloys, while the interior is finished in Charcoal with ivory stitching, a piano black facia and Jet suedecloth headlining.
But there’s more to the XKR 75 than a fancy exterior. Jaguar engineers have increased the power and torque of their 5.0-litre supercharged engine to 523hp and 483lb ft respectively, to deliver even greater performance. Top speed is electronically limited to 174mph (280km/h), but the XKR 75′s 0-60mph acceleration time is reduced from 4.6 to 4.4 seconds compared to the standard 510 PS XKR.
The car gets Increased spring and damper rates (front springs 28 per cent stiffer, rear springs 32 per cent stiffer), and new fully-machined aluminium front and revised rear suspension upright for increased camber stiffness (increased by 25 per cent). The Adaptive Dynamics damper control software has been retuned, and ride height reduced by 15mm at the front and 10mm at the rear. The XKR’s computerised Active Differential Control also adjusts to reduce steering sensitivity at very high speeds, further improving stability and driver control.
There’s also said to be an improved acoustics package for what Jaguar terms a ‘semi-active sports exhaust’, so we’re looking forward to hearing the XKR 75 in action at Goodwood next week.
All this extra driver-focus character has not been achieved at the expense of Jaguar’s traditional values of refinement and comfort, says company ride and handling supreme Mike Cross: “We conceived the XR 75 as a sports car with a duality of character that makes it perfectly suited to driving across Europe to the Nurburgring, completing some very fast laps, and then driving home again,” he says.
Production of the XKR 75 will be limited to just 75 vehicles, which will be available to order from next month priced from £85,500 OTR. Customer deliveries will commence during October.
If you need longer than that to save up, don’t worry as we fully expect many of the 75th anniversary car’s upgrades to be available on ‘regular’ XKRs soon….
