Performance Review: Aston-Martin DB9 5.9 V12 - [2012]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Aston-Martin DB9 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Aston-Martin DB9 5.9 V12 is the 6 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 2012. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2012 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse and the 2013 Koenigsegg Agera S 5.0 V8 Hundra.This particular Aston-Martin DB9 has a 5935cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 12 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V12's includes the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Spider 6.5 V12

The DB9 shares its Petrol V12 engine configuration with the likes of the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Spider 6.5 V12 and the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Coupe 6.5 V12. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the DB9's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1785 kgs (3935 lbs) this makes the Aston-Martin DB9 5.9 V12 in the same weight category as the 2023 Lamborghini Revuelto 6.5 V12 Petrol Hybrid or the give or take 50kg.

The Aston-Martin DB9 shares the same bhp with the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (500 bhp)

In terms of power the 5935cc 48V V12 engine produces 510 bhp (380 kW) @ 6500 rpm similar to the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (500 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 (493 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V12 throws out 457 lb-ft (619.6 Nm) @ 5500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (470 lb-ft) or the 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 5.5 V8 C8 (460 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Aston-Martin DB9 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2014 Jaguar F Type R 5.0 V8 Convertible AWD (310.6 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Aston-Martin DB9.

The Aston-Martin DB9 has a Power to weight ratio of 285.7 bhp per ton and 256.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2012 DB9 competing with the 2014 Jaguar F Type R 5.0 V8 Convertible AWD (310.6 bhp per ton) or the 2022 Aston-Martin DBX 707 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (310.4 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Aston-Martin DB9 generating around 256.0 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2021 BMW 5 Series M5 4.4 V8 Turbo F90 (280.7 lb-ft per ton) or the 2019 Jaguar F Type R Convertible 5.0 V8 Supercharged (280.7 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.50 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 4.6 secs, this made the Aston-Martin DB9 5.9 V12 as fast as the 2022 BMW i7 xDrive60 (4.50 secs) the 2021 BMW 2 Series M240i xDrive 3.0 Turbo F23 (4.50 secs) the 2021 Rolls-Royce Ghost Black Badge 6.6 V12 Twin turbo (4.50 secs) the or the 2021 BMW 2 Series M240i xDrive Cabrio 3.0 Turbo F23 (4.50 secs). This Aston-Martin DB9 5.9 V12 is also faster than the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (4.60 secs) the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (4.60 secs) the 2021 BMW 2 Series M240i 3.0 Cabrio Turbo F23 (4.60 secs) the and the 2020 Audi A3 S3 Saloon (4.60 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the DB9 and the 1993 Porsche 968 3.0 Turbo S

When talking about the performance of the Aston-Martin DB9 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.52 secs @ 109.3 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1993 Porsche 968 3.0 Turbo S (12.46 secs), the 1992 Maserati Ghibli 2.0 V6 Biturbo (12.46 secs), and the 1970 Aston-Martin DBS Coupe 5.3 V8 (12.47 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2012 version of the Aston-Martin DB9 5.9 V12 has a maximum speed of 183mph.

Top Speed of the 2012 DB9 equals the 2021 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 6.2 V8 C8 (194 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2012 Aston-Martin DB9 5.9 V12 then how about the 2021 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 6.2 V8 C8 (194 mph), the 2020 Mercedes GT AMG 4.0 V8 Bi Turbo (194 mph), or the 2016 NIO EP9 1MW (194 mph).

Related Links:

2012 DB9 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Aston-Martin

Car Comparison