Aston Martin has tweeted an image showing the last nine DB9s at the end of the Gaydon production line wearing badges labelling each as a ‘last of nine’. This marks the end of the 13-year-old grand tourer’s run, clearing the way for the first customer examples of its successor, the DB11, to be built. Each of the final nine DB9s was finished by the brand’s Q customisation department.

Built at Aston's Gaydon facility since its inception in 2003, the DB9 was an all-new model that helped spawn the underpinnings for the following DBS, Vanquish and Rapide. The DB11 is expected to follow a similar trend, however, Aston Martin claims that its structure is even more versatile, suggesting that each future model could be significantly different, despite their shared underpinnings.

Production of the twin-turbocharged V12-engine powered DB11 is set to start next month with first customer deliveries expected to arrive before the end of the year. Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer has pledged to personally inspect the first 1,000 cars, with each gaining a plaque to signify his approval. Pre-production cars have already gained such badges.