The most noteworthy update occurred in 2012 when Aston Martin gave the car a completely redesigned front fascia.

[9] Reports indicated that Aston Martin held the belief that naming the car "DB8" would suggest a progressive evolution, given that the DB9 marked the introduction of an entirely new vehicle.

[10][11] In 1994, Aston Martin, which Ford Motor Company owned at the time, began producing the DB7, a grand tourer positioned as an "entry-level" vehicle.

[12][13][c] It was the only Aston Martin that incorporated a steel monocoque construction, which was designed by Jaguar—a company that Ford also owned at the time.

[16][17] In 1999, Aston Martin began manufacturing the DB7 Vantage, which featured a V12 engine developed by Ford in the United States.

[18] Ford made significant investments in enhancing engine and structural technologies to create an entirely new platform, helping to restore Aston Martin's reputation as a desirable luxury automaker.

In July 2000, Ford appointed Ulrich Bez as chief executive officer and chairman of Aston Martin.

[26] When asked by the magazine Car and Driver how much he had contributed to the vehicle, Callum replied, "I would say pretty much 100 per cent, including the interior.

"[26][27] Numerous DB9 pre-production prototypes and concepts were tested over various locations globally, amassing over 1,000,000 miles (1,600,000 km) collectively.

Aston Martin subjected the vehicles to hot-weather trials in Death Valley, the world's hottest location, and cold-weather evaluations within Sweden's Arctic Circle.

[29][30] The official series manufacture of the DB9 coupe began in January 2004 at the Gaydon facility in Warwickshire, England; the DB9 marked the first model built there.

[31][32] In a 2007 interview, Bez stated that, though Aston Martin was traditionally a maker of more exclusive automobiles, he believed that the company needed to be more visible and build more cars.

[30][29][36] The body structure comprises aluminium and composite materials melded together by mechanically fixed self-piercing rivets and robotic-assisted adhesive bonding techniques.

[39][40] The rear suspension incorporates additional anti-squat and anti-lift technology to control heavy acceleration or braking.

[62][63][64] Featuring Bridgestone Potenza 235/40ZR19 tyres in the front and 275/35ZR19 in the rear,[65][66] the car's braking system relies on Brembo four-piston callipers.

[68] The car was largely unchanged; the updates included stylistic tweaks such as door mirrors resembling those of the DBS model, revised wheels and a grille with new elements integrated into its traditional design.

The change resulted in improved handling, addressing the previously harsh ride quality at low speeds.

[1][74] Adjusted by Marek Reichman,[75] the updates involved a refreshed front bumper, clear tail-lights and more defined wings.

[75][76][77] A smoother body contour decorates the door sills, extending from the updated front fascia to the rear wings.

Aston Martin made significant changes to the bodywork by adapting design cues from the Virage such as enlarging the recessed headlight clusters with bi-xenon lights and LED daytime running strips, implementing a new five-bar grille and integrating a new rear spoiler with the boot lid.

[86][87] At the Detroit Auto Show in January 2004, Aston Martin unveiled the DB9 Volante convertible;[88] manufacture began in February 2005.

[89] In case of a rollover incident, the Volante features reinforced windshield pillars and two deployable hoops behind the rear seats.

This special edition includes the DB9's optional sports pack as standard and is exclusively available in coupe body style with automatic transmission.

[94] Commissioned by the collector Peter Read,[95] the car was painted green and revealed alongside the Aston Martin DBS Coupe Zagato Centennial.

The automotive show Top Gear held the DB9 in high regard, even giving it a special mention in its "Cool Wall" segment.

The presenters called the DB9 "too cool" for the wall, however, and it earned its own category dubbed "the DB9 Fridge", likened to a mini-refrigerator containing the car's card.

[125] While reviewing the Volante, Richard Hammond called the interior of the DB9 "one of the best known to man", although he found the car to be less rigid than the coupe, leading to a somewhat "wobbly" experience.

[127] Similarly, compared to the Bentley Continental GT, Mercedes-Benz CL600, and the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti F1, the DB9 ranked poorly again, though reviewers said that "despite its problems, the DB9 would be [their] personal choice".

[9] Likewise, reviewers complained that the space for cargo was limited, though many quipped the small back seats could help hold luggage.

[132] Another common complaint was the car's poor satellite navigation system, which the magazine Automobile described as the "Achilles' heel", noting that "selecting a route is painful at best".