Spyshots: 2011 Aston Martin DB9 Facelift

Aston Martin has had a busy schedule lately, with the British company preparing the final details for the launch of the four-door Rapide and also fine tuning another car, the DB9. Photographers caught the facelifted version of the DB9 coupe on the Nurburgring, wearing no camouflage gear whatsoever, so it can be admired in its smallest details.

Aston Martin designers are preparing only a small facelift for the car, consisting of new bumpers, a bigger rear spoiler and side skirts borrowed from the more extreme DBS. Up front the lower part of the bumper has been reshaped with a single wider lower opening, while the hood gained a pair of DBS-style air-scoops.

These are definitely put there not just for the looks, so a minimum extra 10-20 horsepower are expected from the V12 engine. That's unless Aston Martin decides to switch to direct injection, which would make the power gain considerably bigger.

At the back, the DB9 gets clear lenses for the taillamps, a taller lip spoiler and a huge diffuser to help stabilize the car a high speeds. Details about interior changes are not yet available, but some subtle refinements like new materials and maybe a better telematics system are expected.

New wheel design and equipment packages may also be part of the update. The refreshed 2011 Aston Martin DB9 will make its debut at the 2010 Paris auto show, with sales most likely to begin early next year.

Aston Martin could even offer a new gearbox for the DB9, especially if the collaboration with Daimler will come to fruition. A sollution could be the multi-clutch transmission from the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG.