Traditionally among the most exotic of grand touring automobiles, Aston Martin’s DB9 luxury coupe now comes in GT and a special limited-run GT Bond Edition trims, both with a number of styling upgrades for 2016. The DB9 Volante convertible also returns for the upcoming model year, and all trims include Aston Martin's AMi II infotainment system.

Featuring a 2+2 seating arrangement, the DB9 allows plenty of front seat head- and legroom, but the rear seats once again defy the average adult to find a comfortable position. The coupe trims offer 5 cubic feet of trunk space, and the Volante even less, as it needs to stow its fabric convertible top somewhere (unless you decide to delete the Volante’s rear seats in favor of more cargo space).

The 2016 DB9 GT and GT Bond Edition get an extra 30 hp out of the standard 5.9-liter V12 powerplant, for a total of 540 hp, managed by the traditional 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission to the tune of 13 mpg city/19 highway/15 combined. The Volante still packs the V12 with the original 510 hp and 457 lb-feet of torque, also managed by the 6-speed shiftable automatic; it can be alternately equipped with an available Italian-made 6-speed manual transmission, something that should find immense favor with both reviewers and fans.

Furthermore, the 3-stage dampened suspension again provides this handsome Aston with some impressive handling characteristics. The coupe's well-insulated cabin and the Volante’s tightly knit convertible top help keep out unwanted wind noise while still allowing those sweet notes from the V12 to filter through.

Each 2016 DB9 variant again comes with 20-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels, while the debuting GT and GT Bond Edition also boast a new black front splitter, black rear diffuser, and a set of black brake calipers. Further exterior upgrades for the debuting GTs include a GT-engraved fuel filler cap, LED running lights, and clear LED taillights.

All 2016 DB9 iterations feature a new steering wheel design, with each of the coupes also debuting an optional microsuede-wrap for the steering wheel. Other cabin features for the coupes include upgraded leather upholstery for the heated, power-adjustable front seats, and enhanced Bluetooth-integrated AMi II infotainment technology with a new touchscreen display.

Full power accessories, cruise control, and telescoping tilt-wheel steering each return for the upcoming year, as do as memory for driver settings, a remote garage door opener, a rear-view camera, front and rear parking sensors, automatic climate control, and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror. A premium 700-watt audio system, sporting Surround Sound, also remains fine-tuned specifically to the DB9’s acoustic configuration.

The 2016 DB9 GT Bond Edition, obviously taking advantage of its major role in the recently released 007 movie Spectre, additionally boasts a Specter Silver paint job, sterling silver 007 Bond Edition badges, a Bond Edition screensaver for the new AMi II infotainment screen, gun-barrel embroidery on the leather upholstery, and a number of 007-themed personal accessories like an Omega Seamaster wristwatch.

Options for the DB9 include the popular Carbon Edition on both the GT coupe and Volante, featuring carbon black or white exterior colors and extra carbon-fiber interior accents.

Standard safety equipment aboard each 2016 DB9 iteration includes 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), traction and stability control, front side-mounted airbags, new LED daytime running lights, high-intensity-discharge (HID) headlights, and a remote antitheft alarm. The Volante also features standard pop-up roll bars, and an upgraded antitheft alarm returns optional on all trims.

Look for the 2016 DB9 to again challenge Maserati’s less potent but equally high-end GranTurismo, Bentley’s Continental, and Mercedes-Benz’s S65 AMG.