Road Test: Aston Martin DB9 V12 2dr Touchtronic Auto [470]

Oooh look - a facelifted DB9. I can tell what you're thinking - you're thinking it looks suspiciously similar to the pre-facelifted Aston DB9. And you're not wrong. But, we ask, is that such a terrible problem? Of course it isn't. Even though this car has been on sale for seven years, it still draws crowds like few others. Quite right too.

If you're a stickler for detail, you'll have noticed that Aston has fitted a new front bumper and side sills, tweaked the radiator grille by giving it a shinier finish and re-shaped the lower intake grille. But the easiest way to spot this latest version is by looking at the rear lights - they've now got clear lenses like the DBS. Exactly what DBS owners will make of this remains to be seen, with the cheaper and older DB9 now looking even more similar to their posher and pricier car.

The suspension has also been changed. Up until now, choosing your DB9 wasn't the easiest process. If you wanted the grand tourer version, it was the standard suspension; hardcore drivers opted for the Sport Pack. And, since January, cake-and-eat-it customers could plump for the £2,495 adaptive damping pack, giving them the best of both worlds.

Now, though, the adaptive damping is standard and there's only one spec available, so indecisive people should be much happier. There's a single button on the centre dash which you can press depending on whether you want stiffer or more comfortable suspension, and the transformation is instant. In normal mode, it's still a relaxed GT - there's just enough noise from the engine to make the experience feel special and the suspension is soft enough.

Press on in normal, though, and it still feels loose at the rear end, just like previous DB9s did. It's quite disconcerting how much movement there is... and not in a fun, oversteery way. You can press the damper button and firm it all up to cure the wayward rear and tighten the whole car down, but then the ride becomes too hard. Very disappointing, because the DB9 still doesn't drive as well as it looks. There isn't a happy medium, unlike in its big brother, the Rapide. The four-door gets the same adaptive dampers, but with different spring rates so has a better balance between comfort and sport.

There's no doubt this upgrade is good for the DB9 because it gives you more driving flexibility. But ultimately it's window-dressing - other Astons are better.