DB7 i6 Coupe
DB7 i6 Coupe

DB7 i6 Coupe

(1994 - 1999)

1994MY, 1995MY, 1996MY, 1997MY, 1998MY 1999MY

Production of the DB7 eventually began late in 1994 with a handful of cars delivered to customers before the end of the year. They were built at the new Aston Martin factory at Bloxham near Banbury in Oxfordshire, previously used by JaguarSport for the construction of the XJ220. The construction of the DB7 was a significant departure from previous AM practice as the body structure was a steel semi-monocoque with some composite panels such as the nose and bonnet. These early cars, built prior to the introduction of the open Volante model are known as 'pre-airbag' cars or very occasionally 'Series 1'

DB7 i6 Coupe

Whilst many small modifications have been made to the DB7 during the five years of production, the main changes were made with the introduction of a revised model in July 1996 (air-bagged – ‘Series 2’ perhaps). The later cars are relatively easily spotted as they have twin air bags plus new switchgear, seats, steering, brakes and softer ‘Volante’‘ suspension. A steel bonnet also replaced the composite original. Yet externally, the car appeared virtually identical to the motor show prototype.

DB7’s are seen with a wide variety of wheel options. Here are a few examples that I have seen including a few very rare styles. The DB7 i6 has the widest variety of factory standard and optional wheel styles ever available on an Aston Martin at the time.

During 1999 the V12 Vantage was introduced at a price of just £92,500, a tiny £7550 premium over the straight six. Whilst the supercharged 6 cylinder car oddly remained in the price list throughout 2000, production had quietly ceased during May 1999 and the DB7 Vantage came on-line. By this time, production of the i6 coupe and Volante combined had reached 2473 cars. Of this number, 1578 were coupes and of these coupes, less than half, 529 had the desirable 5 speed manual transmission. At the time, the i6 production run had exceeded that of any other Aston Martin model although when considered against the numbers built from 2004, the DB7 i6 is in actual fact, quite a rare car.

  • Body/Coachwork:
    • Two door 2+2 coupe
    • Steel under-frame with steel body panels. Composite bonnet (steel from 1997MY), front wings, sills, boot lid and front & rear bumper/apron
    • Side-impact protection in doors
    • Cd 0.31
  • Interior:
    • Full Connolly leather with burr walnut veneers
    • Alcantara headlining, Firth carpets. Wilton carpets optional (as used on the ‘V’ cars)
    • Electrically operated front seats
    • CFC free automatic climate control
    • Driver and front passenger airbags (from 1997MY)
    • Sony six speaker stereo radio cassette with CD option, Alpine radio cassette with CD auto-changer from 1997MY
    • Cobra 6019 alarm/immobiliser interacting with central locking system. Megamos alarm system and PATs engine immobiliser from 1997MY.
  • Engine:
    • All-alloy, twin overhead camshaft, 24 valve, 3,239cc straight six cylinder
    • Single Eaton M90 ‘Roots’ supercharger   Maximum boost 14 p.s.i. (1 bar)
    • Water cooled intercooler for the compressed air with bypass valve
    • Fully catalysed stainless steel exhaust system
    • Compression ratio 8.3:1
    • Max power 335 bhp @ 6000 rpm (312 bhp @ 5500 rpm for AM02/02**** engine)
    • Max torque 361 lb/ft @ 3000 rpm (336 lb/ft @ 3000 rpm for AM02/02*** engine)
    • Zytec engine management system (EECV from 1997MY) with multi-point sequential fuel injection and electronic distributorless ignition system
  • Transmission:
    • Getrag 290.711, five speed manual gearbox
    • Optional switchable GM 4L80E four speed automatic
    • Final Drive, GKN Powerlock limited slip differential. Ratio 3.54 : 1, giving  28.6 mph per 1,000rpm
  • Steering:
    • Rack and pinion , power assisted 2.76 turns, lock-to-lock
    • Column rake adjustment, reach and rake 1997MY onwards
  • Wheels and tyres:
    • Lightweight 8J x 18 alloy wheels
    • Bridgestone Expedia 245/40 ZR18 tyres
  • Suspension:
    • Front:    Independent double wishbone, coil springs, mono-tube dampers with anti-roll bar, anti-dive geometry.
    • Rear:     Independent double wishbone with longitudinal control arms, coil springs, mono-tube dampers. With anti-roll bar from chassis 100172
  • Brakes:
    • Front:    285mm ventilated steel discs with four piston calipers
    • Rear: 295mm solid steel discs (vented from 1997MY) with sliding aluminium calipers
    • Teves Mk II anti-lock braking system, Teves Mk IV from 1997MY
  • Dimensions:
    • Length: 4646 mm
    • Length for North American market, 1997MY onwards – 4722 mm due to deeper rear bumper
    • Width: 1830 mm excluding wing mirrors
    • Height: 1238 mm
    • Wheelbase: 2591 mm
    • Front Track: 1516 mm
    • Rear Track: 1531 mm
    • Kerb Weight: 1994 to 1996MY manual 1700 kg, auto 1750 kg. 1997MY onwards, manual 1775 kg, auto 1825 kg
    • Fuel Tank Capacity: 89litres
  • Performance:
    • Top Speed: 165 mph (manual), 160 mph (auto)
    • Acceleration: 0-62 mph, 5.7 seconds (manual), 6.9 seconds (auto), 6.4 seconds (1997MY auto onwards)
  • Price at launch:
    • October 1994 (1994MY)                 £78,500
    • October 1996 (1997MY)                 £82,500 ($130,000 US)
    • 1998  (1999MY)                               £84,950