http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/ne...t-spy-pictures

A couple of things in this article make me pause and worry...

- modified AMG engines to "sound, respond and feel" like an AM - eeeesh.

- Mercedes 9 speed auto and not ZF 8 speed. Well, can't say I have personal experience with the Mercedes 9 speed but: that's too many gears! Frankly, this obsession with more and more gears (efficiency in top gear, I know) is getting silly, especially when mated to high torque engines in cars that, if driven as a gearhead should drive them, will rarely be in top gear anyway!

On the other hand, they say it'll be lighter.

 

I don't see this engine going into the DB9 replacement, I know for a fact our V12 is not going anywhere anytime soon, old motor but little engineering in spurts, nothing much has been done yet from past lack of funding., VVT was just added recently in 2012 to the road cars and now 2015 Bosch engine management, this stuff should off been added years ago, and there's still room to grow ..

That test mule also had bonnet racing tie downs that AMR use..don't recall seeing those on past mules.. Seems kinda sketchie

We should start seeing some more test cars throughout this summer and prob a revealing near/in this fall and the final product no more than 18 months away for DB9 replacement

I do see the AMG being a V8 twin, but only in the vantage replacement.. I also see V12 still being in the larger cars but with more power, nothing less than 580bhp

 

9 gears on man. And I thought 8 was too much. 7 always seemed perfect to me. Excited to see the final product I shall be paying close attention for this next year and a half.

 

This made me frown then chortle:

"AMG will not provide a bespoke version for Aston. Instead, off-the-shelf engines will be modified to sound, respond and feel like an Aston Martin engine. Spy photographers have reported a particularly loud sound coming from this early test mule."



As for the V8, I read in a few places that the AMG V8TT would be the base engine for the next DB9 and an updated version of the V12 would be an option.

A lot of weight savings should be had from the AMG V8TT compared to the V12, but I'm surprised they aren't sticking with the ZF 8-speed, too. It's be getting great reviews everywhere that I've seen, and AML is already using it.

 

ZF 9 speed starts in 2nd gear in Auto mode and S mode, unless downshift to 1st manually. The ZF9 operates like 8 speed under most driving conditions. Not if it's the same for Mercedes 9 speed.

 

Have you guys watched the video at the bottom of the link? It talks about the 15DB9 and all new added features. Sounds to me like all the DBS options. Any thoughts?

 

That car was released in 2013 and yes had very similar options to the DBS in the newer virage inspired body. I owned one and it was a great car.

 

Ok gotcha, 2013. Seems to have lots of DBS goodies. I'm curious to know what it lacks from the DBS.

 

Dbs body is carbon fiber whereas the db9 is aluminum (so a little lighter). DBS suspension is more sporty and it has an optional manual transmission. The 2+0 option is available for the DBS. DBS has a higher top speed. There are some other things but the db9 engine has the same 510 hp and a little more torque (I believe).

 

Thanks for the info!

 

For the sake of accuracy, AFAIK the DBS body panels are partly CF, partly aluminum. CF = hood, front wings, door surrounds, trunk lid and trunk surround. Rest = aluminum.

New Vanq is all CF panels, methinks.

 

I believe that is correct! DB9 is aluminum.