2011 Aston Martin DB9

Aston Martin officially took the wraps off its updated 2011 DB9 a little over a week ago, but now the iconic automaker has revealed new details and pricing for the U.S. market.

Although the changes to the 2011 DB9 may be relatively slight in nature, the refresh marks the DB9′s first serious upgrade since launching in 2003.

Styling changes include a new front bumper, bright finish radiator grille and a re-shaped lower intake featuring bright hexagonal mesh, new headlight surrounds, re-styled sills, silver brake calipers and clear rear taillights. New 20-inch diamond turned wheels are also on tap for 2011.

Underneath that new body work the DB9 features Aston Martin’s new Adaptive Damping System, which promises to improve both ride and handling. Other technical changes include a new tire pressure monitoring system, a revised Bluetooth system and a new high-end Bang & Olufsen sound system.

No changes were made underhood, with customers able to choose from a six-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission.

The 2011 Aston Martin DB9 Coupe and Volante have already begun production and will hit dealers in July for the U.K., with the DB9 Coupe starting at £122,445, and the Volante convertible listing from £131,445.

Across the pond, Americans can expect the latest DB9s to begin arriving the third quarter, 2010, with pricing starting at $187,615 for the Coupe, and $201,115 for the Volante.

You might have seen elsewhere that CAR was embedded in the Aston Martin pit team at the weekend's 2010 Le Mans 24-hour race. Which meant we were well placed to pilfer one of the facelifted DB9s on display at the Aston customer hospitality unit at the French race circuit and drive it back to Blighty.

A 'facelifted' 2010 Aston Martin DB9? It doesn't look very different!

Yes, let's call it the 2011 model year DB9. Aston types hesitate to use the word 'facelift', it's just part of the continuous improvement that's gradually spruced up the DB9 since launch back in 2003.

CAR bumped into Aston Martin design director Marek Reichmann in the AMR pits at Le Mans and he gave us the lowdown on the 2011 DB9. 'We are continuing the elegant feel of the DB9: there's a new front bumper, new side skirts, new colours,' he explained. 'These are mild changes – we've made 12,000 DB9s since launch and don't feel the need to start afresh. There are also plenty of under-the-skin changes.'

Still looks the biz, then?

You bet. I've previously criticised Aston's current line-up for looking too samey and while I stand by that, there's no arguing with the basic building blocks of the Aston look. The DB9 set the template back at the 2003 Frankfurt show, but carries its years well. This is an elegant 2+2 coupé, and looks every inch the £122,445 sports car from every angle. I especially love the coke bottle swell to the hips that lends the DB9 a sprung, muscular feel.

What's new? The double-decker grille with (slightly tacky) perforated mesh low down is fresh, while the sidesills are recontoured with a more exaggerated 'hockey stick' kink said to be most visible on lighter colours and the rear bumper and lights are minutely different, too. Fresh wheel designs are available and our car came in a fetching silvery green.

And what's new inside the 2011 model year Aston Martin DB9?

The interior of the DB9 is spruced up with some previously unseen toys and equipment. A Bang & Olufsen stereo with pop-up tweeters (think top-end Audi style) is now available at a steep £4000 or so and delivers crisp, clear tunes; it seamlessly mates with your iPod too.

The 6.0-litre V12 is unchanged, but fettling the details means that CO2 has been poleaxed by nearly 50g/km. The claimed carbon dioxide figure tumbles to 345g/km. Meanwhile the aluminium VH chassis is spruced up by the addition of Bilstein variable dampers; we've seen them on the DBS and Rapide, but it's the first time the DB9 has offered them in place of the regular Bilstein struts.