The DB9 LM was based on the final batch of 2008MY spec coupes fitted with Touchtronic 2 automatic transmission. The six-speed manual gearbox was not available even as an option. What made the car rather special was it’s unique Sarthe Silver exterior paint finish, named after the region in France where the Le Mans circuit is based. In addition, all the meshes were  finished in bright Magnum Silver, the first time that these were available on the DB9. Another DB9 first were the clear rear lamp lenses. The car was also equipped with the normally optional DB9 Sports Pack as standard. Inside, the DB9 LM was fitted with handcrafted black leather with red stitching, perforated leather inserts, unique and vivid ‘Tertre Rouge’ facia trim and numbered sill plaques.

Full specs of the DB9 LM are:-

• 2008MY Coupe with Touchtronic 2 transmission as standard
• Sports pack as standard
• Sarthe Silver coachwork
• 19 inch Sports pack alloy wheels, Sarthe Silver painted with a diamond turned finish
• Meshes in Magnum Silver
• Bright front grille
• Clear rear lenses with trim finishers in Sarthe Silver
• Small red enamelled badge on the on the boot with a map of the Le Mans 24 hour curcuit
• Obsidian Black leather with course red stitching, and perforated leather seat inserts
• Le Mans circuit map embroidered in red on the centre arm rest
• ‘Tertre Rouge’ facia and door cappings (named after the famous corner on the circuit)
• Tailors grey or black headlining
• Numbered sill plaque
• Red brake calipers

Deliveries to customers were made during February and March of 2008 at a price of £124,000 or 180,000 Euros in Germany. The intention was to limit the number of DB9 LM’s to just 124 examples although it is believed that 69 were actually made. By March 2008, the DB9 received it’s first major revision, the 2009MY DB9, together with the more powerful AM09 engine and DBS style centre console.

” Built around ‘near-future’ technologies such as its advanced Battery Electric drivetrain, the Lagonda All-Terrain Concept is an ultra-stylish, supremely luxurious, fully electric emission-free vehicle that can transport its occupants to remote and spectacular locations “

The styling of the 2019 concept had a marked similarity to the 2018 saloon but was also intended to be much closer to production reality. The concept still had rear-hinged back doors and the front seats could turn to face backwards. Set into the very wide clamshell rear hatch, was a thin and elegant light strip with hidden LED’s allowing light to be beamed downwards and then reflected out. Although the car was a non-functioning concept, the sandwich floor was intended to house the battery packs and provide the cars structural rigidity. A practical yet neat element of the Lagonda All-Terrain Concept’s design was the rear shelf, which could slide out from the floor. Hidden and flush with the body when stowed, the shelf extended when required to offer a platform for occupants to sit on.

Sadly by the beginning of 2020, AML was in such financial difficulty, the related RapideE was cancelled and the launch of Lagonda as an all-electric luxury brand was pushed back to 2025. By March 2021, the Lagonda EV plans were eventually canned and the ‘Lagonda’ name could return in a similar way in which “Maybach” is used on top-end Mercedes Benz cars.

Most importantly the DB9 2009MY was fitted with a revised version of the 5.9 litre V12 engine tuned to deliver improved power and torque. Peak power of 470 bhp (+20bhp) was now reached at 6,000rpm, resulting in a power to weight ratio of 267bhp per tonne (+11bhp per tonne over the original DB9). Peak torque of 600 Nm was delivered at 5,000rpm.  Accordingly, the quoted top speed went up to 190mph and the all important 0-60mph time improved by 0.3 seconds (to 4.6 seconds) for the Touchtronic 2 transmission, which benefited from a new valve box and integrated transmission controls to achieve quicker gear shifts. The very rare manual DB9 was also quicker to 60mph by 0.1 seconds, down to 4.6 seconds.

How to spot a 2009MY & 2010MY DB9 coupe

The 2009MY DB9 also incorporated a series of chassis developments for both the Coupe and Volante derivates. Bilstein dampers were introduced in addition to revised upper suspension arms and retuned suspension bushes to deliver improved ride quality. The highly desirable Premium Sports Pack was made available as an option early in 2010 which featured the Adaptive Damping System from the DBS. Deliveries of the revised DB9 coupe began during the second quarter of 2008 with a starting price in the UK of £113,950 with rarely specified manual transmission and £116,950 for the Touchtronic 2.

The DBR22 design concept is the latest in a long line of exclusive projects, by the in-house bespoke division, Q by Aston Martin, which launched in 2013 with the CC100.

The chassis of the DBR22 is believed to be based on that of the AM6 Vantage with 5.2 litre front mounted V12 engine producing 705 bhp.This is the same engine as previously used in the DBS Superleggera and V12 Vantage. The engine is mated to the familiar 8-speed ZF Touchtronic 3 transmission. The DBR22 achieves the dash from 0-60mph in 3.4 seconds and will max out at a top speed of 198mph. The coachwork compromises of a minimal number of carbon fibre panels.

There’s an all-new dashboard with two distinctive vertical air vents on each side of the integrated central touchscreen – almost a year before the same feature was first seen on the DB12 in Spring 2023.

The DBR22 is intended for production with a run of perhaps 10 cars with a base price of £1.5 million. As the Q division offers an almost unlimited range of colours, finishes options and bespoke features, no DBR22 will be even close to the base price.

At first glance, this DB9 coupe shown above, was on the AML stand during the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. It, appears to be finished in Morning Frost White – but it isn’t. Difficult to show in photographs but the finish is Blue Pearl White with exterior metal work in gun metal.

Below you will also find a picture of the DB9 Volante Works demonstrator and a range of re-upholstered seats showcasing the customisation that is now offered. Whilst Aston Martin Gaydon now offer the ‘Q by Aston Martin’ service for brand new cars, Works are happy to create a unique car for owners of both new and previously owned cars.