The ancient Greeks worshipped a pantheon of gods—deities for the rising sun, rest and relaxation, and even the flour mill. In their quest to make sense of the world around them, they created mythological beings in a futile and ultimately misguided attempt to ward off misfortune in this life and the next.

However, one deity the Greeks did not conceive of was the God of Government Bailouts. This god truly is omnipresent and omnipotent, and we know it today as the modern European Union.

The Aston Martin DB9 is neither a myth nor a tool of subjugation for mere voters. Launched in 2004, the DB9 continues to exude a fresh, almost unimpeachable visual perfection that solidifies its place as one of the most desirable GTs—a grand tourer that seems as if it were defined by the hand of God and sculpted by angels.

Your interpretation of its transcendent appeal may depend on your belief system. The ancient Romans, for instance, assimilated many Greek gods into their own pantheon of prayers, while Shintoism might offer a more fitting lens through which to appreciate the DB9’s almost spiritual harmony.

God: an omnipotent master forger, an omniscient presence, a supernatural creator of worlds, and the divine protector of humankind. This celestial being oversees Earth’s journey and that of its inhabitants in an endless, radiant dance through the burning cauldron of deep space. Without a physical form, this mysterious entity crafts wonders from light and dust.

Interestingly, the word “God” is derived from the Proto-Germanic term gudan, which over the centuries evolved into the familiar lexicon we use today. Its meaning—”to invoke”—captures the essence of humanity’s call to the divine.

“Launched in 2004, the DB9 continues to exude a fresh, almost unimpeachable visual perfection that solidifies its place as one of the most desirable GTs—a grand tourer that seems as if it were defined by the hand of God and sculpted by angels.”

No other GT or supercar can rival the exterior elegance of the DB9. It stands as a powerful lesson in automotive design, possessing a magnetic allure that leaves one speechless in admiration. Even after many years in production, the DB9 has never looked better.

The Carbon Black Special Edition tested here adds several cosmetic enhancements to the standard DB9, which itself received a minor facelift in 2011.

Step into the cabin, and it instantly exudes quality, reflecting the traditional craftsmanship of Aston Martin’s past while maintaining a luxurious ambience and a driver-focused design. The interior is nearly as elegant as the exterior, from the sweeping centre console to the almost bejewelled switchgear, which has faced criticism for being difficult to use—but in reality, it’s not.

The Carbon Black Edition features a unique black paint finish, complemented by equally distinctive 19-inch, 10-spoke forged alloy wheels in Gloss Black, and a sports exhaust with graphite tailpipes. The black theme extends inside, with the interior wrapped in the finest leather, including the roof lining. Polished glass switchgear and a piano black finish on the interior surfaces further enhance the sense of opulence.

One must insert the emotion control unit, otherwise known as the key fob, into the center console to start the engine. Even this simple act carries a dramatic sense of occasion, as the air is momentarily filled with a sharp, menacing snarl. The beating heart of the DB9 is its 6.0-litre V12 engine, a majestic powerplant. With 470 bhp and 600 Nm of torque, the DB9 accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds, propelling its 1,750 kg mass so swiftly that, at first, your senses are overwhelmed by the speed.

As you shift through the gears above 3,500 rpm, the sound is simply intoxicating. It overshadows the car’s top-of-the-range Bang & Olufsen sound system. The DB9’s soundtrack is rich and pure, a mechanical operatic tenor that sings from one gear to the next, filling the world with symphonic glory.

“The brief for a GT car is to transport its occupants vast distances in luxurious comfort and style, and this is where the DB9 truly excels. Traversing the UK’s motorways is effortless; it will quietly cruise at 90 mph all day, offering a comfortable and compliant ride.“

The six-speed automatic transmission is rear-mounted for better weight distribution and can function as a traditional automatic or be controlled via the magnesium-mounted paddle shifters. While automated paddle-shift technology often takes a backseat to manual and dual-clutch transmissions, the Touchtronic II Automatic in this DB9 feels just as satisfying. Gear changes are smooth and instantaneous, responding immediately. Press the sports button, and the gear shifts and engine mapping become even sharper.

The paddle-shift transmission outperforms Aston’s manual gearbox, allowing you to focus more on driving without sacrificing engagement. The 600 Nm of torque is delivered smoothly, offering flexibility and versatility no matter which gear you select.

The brief for a GT car is to transport its occupants vast distances in luxurious comfort and style, and this is where the DB9 truly excels. Traversing the UK’s motorways is effortless; it will quietly cruise at 90 mph all day, offering a comfortable and compliant ride. The spacious cabin cocoons its occupants from the outside world, with the glass thickened by a few millimeters to reduce cabin noise. In sixth gear, the engine is so quiet below 3,500 rpm that you might be fooled into thinking the beating heart has stopped altogether.

While the DB9 is perfectly suited for long-distance travel, its true calling lies in blasting through the sweeping unpredictability of country roads, where the roar of the V12 echoes through the surrounding area like a distant, active volcano.

There have been concerns about the handling, with some claiming it’s too stiff. While this is partly true, the DB9 handles both slow and fast bumps with reassuring composure, offering excellent feedback. The steering weight is just right—not too heavy, nor too light. As you enter a medium-speed corner, the DB9 comes alive, relaying information about the chassis, tyres, and available grip. Cornering is flat, precise, and accurate, while the brakes cope effortlessly with the car’s mass.

Approach a downhill bend, and as you brake into the corner, the rear end becomes slightly loose as the car’s mass shifts forward. This rear-end looseness is minimal, not at all unsettling or unstable, and seems to occur only during downhill braking.

In fact, it doesn’t require any correction; there’s more than enough predictability and just enough play to power out of the corner with a bit of oversteer, if needed. Overall, the DB9 has a very well-balanced setup, considering its GT brief. Driving through country roads feels almost too easy, and to truly understand its capabilities, you’d need to take it to a track. This is where the functionality of the Adaptive Damping System (previously an option) comes into play.

The DB9 is a majestic “big bang”—able to transport you in luxurious comfort one moment and then shift into an explosive supernova of speed, all while remaining composed and charismatic. With the Virage and DBS, the DB9 may now be the opening act, but what an opening act it is.

From the DCB Archives