Aston Martin DB9 models

For the last forty years, the Aston Martin brand has been best known for its DB series sporting automobiles, which featured a DB5 in a 1964 James Bond film
For the last forty years, the Aston Martin brand has been best known for its DB series sporting automobiles — thanks in part to Hollywood, which featured a DB5 in a 1964 James Bond film. But the DB didn't premier with Mr. Bond and his battle-ready car. The first of the series was the 105-horsepower, six-cylinder powered DB2. The DB2, which was named after David Brown, who was in control of the company at the time, was based on a 1949 Aston Martin Le Mans race car. The brand returned to Le Mans for the 1950 race with the new DB2 production models and came home a winner. Shortly thereafter, a convertible was added to the lineup. Various series models with minor changes were introduced along the way. Race-only DB3 and DB3S models were produced concurrently with the DB2.

In 1958, the DB4 coupe premiered to critical acclaim. With a 240-horsepower 3.7-litre six, it was quick for its time. With coil-spring suspension and a tube chassis, it was light and nimble as well. Carrozzeria Touring of Milan sculpted the body, and the car's Italian accent made it an instant hit at the London Motor Show of 1958. A convertible was added to the line in 1962. A lightweight GT DB4 with Weber carbs and dual-plug ignition boasted 302 horsepower, which was enough to take the car to 150 mph. Other variations included a Vantage and a Vantage GT.

The DB5 of 1963 was based on the DB4. While the cars were similar, the DB5 offered upgrades, including an increase in displacement to 4 litres, triple SU carbs and a five-speed trans. The engine revisions upped the output of the standard offering to 282 horsepower. Numerous model variations included a DB5 Vantage with triple Webers and 314 horsepower, a convertible, and even a shooting brake. (That's a station wagon in American-speak.)

Aston Martin DB9 models
The DB6 came along in 1965 with a slipperier shape and longer wheelbase. It went out of production in 1970. The DBS of 1967 featured a fastback shape and square grille. It was meant to succeed the DB6, but the 6 hung around, and the cars were produced concurrently. The DBS outlasted its stablemate by two years before going out of production.

The next DB appeared in 1994. Produced as both coupe and convertible the supercharged 6-cylinder sports car was based on the Jaguar XJ-S platform. A V-12 Vantage version followed in 1999 and a V12 GT model in 2002.

Skipping the DB8 name to avoid confusion in regard to the number of cylinders, Aston Martin launched the V-12-powered DB9 coupe and convertible in 2004. With 450 horsepower, the new machine was capable of 190 mph, all the while treating its well-heeled occupant to a lavish display of automotive luxury. An upmarket DBS version was launched at Pebble Beach in 2008. With a 570-horsepower V-12, a high-tech composite body, numerous technical wonders, and a plethora of amenities, this latest DB series automobile places Aston Martin solidly in the supercar class.