'DB9... Aston Martin DB9' like 'Bond... James Bond'?

by Dhaneshi Yatawara

In an exclusive telephone conversation with the 'Sunday Observer', Dr. Namal Senasinghe admitted from the UK that he is the owner of the questionable Aston Martin DB9, which he uses in England under 'NAMAL' plate.

It all began after both Dr. Namal Senasinghe and the President's eldest son Namal Rajapaksa (who was an invitee) attended the '2006 Josephian Nite' in London. Dr. Senasinghe had come in his Aston Martin DB9, with the 'Namal' number plate,which had been parked prominently. However, our own investigations have revealed that there is another Aston Martin in Sri Lanka, imported by Dilshan Fernando after paying normal customs duty.

Hearing so much about world famous, sophisticated cars and characters in the country we Sri Lankans seem to be the luckiest among island nations of the world to be so much up-to-date. It is very interesting that we find James Bond series 'Casino Royale' Sri Lankan version has become the hullabaloo of the town.

With the expensive arrival of a luxurious Aston Martin DB9 car into this island nation, media was spurring many 'James Bond' characters in its sphere. Many were trying to find the new 'Sri Lankan actor' for this legendary British secret agent character - if found it would have added a unique Sri Lankan identity to the world's hottest and striking list of James Bond actors, from Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan, and Daniel Craig and may be more to come.

The legendary British secret agent, James Bond, drives an Aston Martin DB5 in 'Casino Royale' of his adventurous and exiting detective series. This DB5 encapsulates a link between the DB9 road car and the powerful DBR9 race car.

DB9 of the Aston Martin cars is not less in its character to James Bond. What is this Aston Martin DB9? How was it shipped to Sri Lanka? Above all why do people get such expensive craziness over a sports car?

Aston Martin DB9 is a luxurious sports car, one that is supremely comfortable - a combination of power, beauty and soul. Its great looks, sounds and strengthened with its power and performance can stir the soul of a car enthusiast. As its mother company hails, DB9 is one of the most technically sophisticated cars in the world. Aston Martin Company says DB9 is the most thoroughly tested and engineered car in their history.

The uniqueness of this beauty is that these are hand-built cars made on customer requests. The car cabin is hand trimmed in beautiful natural material, primarily wood and leather. This 5935 cc, 48 valve, all alloy beauty has a maximum torque of 570 Nm at 5000 rpm and a maximum power of 335 kW.

The company web page states that DB9 coupe model is priced at 109,750 sterling pounds and valante model is 118,750 sterling pounds.

How did Aston Martin DB9 become a hot and spicy, crispy story among Sri Lankans?

This was all unknown in November 2006 when a Sri Lankan, definitely one among the richest, imported a unique, oyster silver DB9 coupe from the Aston Martin Company. The car started its destined cruise from Singapore to its consignee named as Dilshan Fernando of Christy Lanka Apparels (Pvt) Ltd. Then at that time, nobody would have guessed the car would lead to such a stir in the town apart from stirring one's soul with its beauty and power.

Certain media carried it to such an extend saying the roads were closed in a particular stretch during the wee hours of the day just to test the vehicle and a son of a VVIP politician was involved in the series.

When inquired from a highly responsible police officer about the possibilities of such an occurrence, he said it can be highly impossible as several police divisions are involved in that particular stretch and closing would have been very complicated. "If they wanted to test the vehicle those people would have easily gone to a racing track close to Colombo city," he added.

At present the custom has released the vehicle to the owner, collected by the clearing agent, as the documentation of the import is transparent and legal. The customer has paid approximately 14.5 million rupees as custom duties and taxes. Yet it was held up in the harbour by the Sri Lanka Customs as they required a verification of the price the customer has declared in the papers with the Singapore agent of the Aston Martin.

Advising the customer that custom officials will reach them if there is even a slight price difference when they receive information from the company, officials have released the car to the owner.

According to the Director General of Customs Mr. S. Jayathilaka the formal procedure for such an inquiry from a foreign company where there is no local agent, is done through the Regional Intelligence Liason Office - Asia Pacific region. Customs was compelled to do so as there is no previous importation recorded for them to compare. Custom officials are waiting for an answer from the RILO for Asia Pacific region.

According to International Custom norms and standards this is the formal procedure for any country to get such information, Mr. Jayathilaka said.

The CIF value the customer has declared in the papers is 92,969 Singapore Dollars. The tax invoice is by the Singapore agent of the original Aston Martin Company. This Oyster Silver petrol car with an engine capacity of 5935 cc carries the chassis number SCFAC01A36GA06463.

To import a car (any type) a list of taxes are imposed. A custom's duty of 28%, 10% surcharge, 20% Value Added Tax, 60% Excise Levy, 5% Cess tax, 2.5% Port and Airport Levy (PAL), 1% SRL and 2.5% as Regional Infrastructure Development levy adds to the cost. When inquired from the office of the Commissioner of Motor Traffic, a high official said such a vehicle is not yet registered to their knowledge.

A gift to my wife, says importer Dilshan Fernando

"Importing the Aston Martin DB9 has no involvement of a political figure, the importer of the car, Dilshan Fernando told our sister newspaper Dinamina yesterday.

Fernando had imported this car for his wife after she delivered a baby girl.

"I was longing to have a daughter. When she was expecting, I promised her I would give her whatever she likes if the baby is a girl. She wanted an Aston Martin, so I kept my promise," he said.

According to Fernando this car was imported in 2006 and after a few days of its arrival he had registered it at the office of the Registrar of Motor Vehicles. He further added that he imported the car after paying all the relevant taxes and strictly adhering to the rules.

"It is difficult to drive such vehicles in the day time. So, me, my wife and kids drive around in the nights. I have the car with me at present," Fernando said.

Government denies VVIP involvement

Cabinet Spokesman and Media Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa asserted there is no link whatsoever of any Government politician with the Aston Martin car of James Bond fame as reported in certain media. "This is very irresponsible and unjustifiable mud-slinging which should be avoided," he added.

"Even though someone has imported the said vehicle, I state with full responsibility that no Government politician is connected with it," he said. Addressing the weekly Cabinet press briefing at the Government Information Department, Minister Yapa categorically denied that he was aware that a person named Dr. Namal Senasinghe domiciled in England, owned an "Aston Martin'.

Minister Yapa was of the view that the instant DB9 "Aston Martin" with an engine capacity of 5935 cc, could not be imported to Sri Lanka on a 'Duty Free' permit as alleged in the media. No one in the Government is prepared or interested in using a luxurious and exorbitantly priced vehicle of that calibre. We are investigating further on this matter and will soon inform the public," he further said.

Aston Martin DB9 - A striking balance

DB9 is a thoroughbred sports car with GT levels of comfort and refinement. Its design philosophy is uncompromising and brings together everything that makes a sports car great with that unique Aston Martin character, borne out of craftsmanship and use of the finest quality materials. So what is it that makes a great sports car?

Most cars are a series of compromises. The result is usually rational -- even impressive on paper -- but often bland and soulless in reality. Sports cars should be all about character and driver involvement. They need to look great, sound great and have power and performance to stir the soul.

But what is beauty without aerodynamic efficiency? Power encumbered by weight? Straight-line performance without agility? Great sports cars balance these apparent opposites, creating an experience that is both unique and unforgettable. What the driver sees, hears and feels is in harmony. The reward is total involvement: a level of engagement that truly stimulates the senses, that re-ignites the passion for driving. DB9 meets all of these challenges.

Undeniably beautiful yet efficient.

Power in proportion to weight. Harmony of sound and performance and dynamic ability inherent through good design.

But an Aston Martin is also luxurious. On those occasions when top speed and maximum acceleration are not really necessary, indulge yourself.

Be uplifted by the magnificent styling; revel in a sumptuous, fully equipped cabin trimmed in the finest quality materials; enjoy the superb Linn audio system; select Drive and let DB9s 6.0-litre V12 and shift-by-wire fully automatic transmission do the rest.

(http://www.astonmartin.com/thecars/db9)

Specification

Body

- Two door coupe or convertible (Volante) body style with 2+2 seating

- Extruded aluminium bonded body structure

- Aluminium and composite body panels

- Extruded aluminium door side impact protection beams

- High Intensity Discharge (HID) projector lamps (dipped beam)

- Halogen projector headlamps (main beam) with power wash

- LED rear lamps

Engine

- All alloy, quad overhead camshaft, 48-valve, 5935cc V12

- Compression ratio 10.3:1

- Visteon engine management controlling fuel injection, ignition, diagnostics and misfire detection system.

- Stainless steel by-pass valve exhaust system

- Maximum power 335 kw (450 bhp) at 6000 rpm

- Maximum torque 570 Nm (420 lb ft) at 5000 rpm

- Acceleration 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds

- Maximum speed 186 mph (300 km/h)

Price (from) Sterling Pounds 109,750 (Coupe) / Sterling Pounds 118,750 (Volante)

Sri Lankan Customs

Waiting for a verification from the Singapore agent of Aston Martin on the customer declared value in the papers. Sent the car back to the owner, if there is any disparity in prices given by the customer; customer has agreed.

Total Tax paid - Approximately 14.5 million rupees

CIF Value - 92,969 Singapore dollars

Police

Closing a stretch of road coming under several Police division is complicated. Testing could have easily be done at a racing track near Colombo.

Specifications:

All Aloy body, Engine Capacity 5935cc, 48 valve

Maximum power - 335 k W (450 bhp)

Maximum torque - 570 Nm (420 lb ft) at 5000 rpm

Two models - DB9 coupe and DB9 valante

Office of Commissioner of Motor Traffic

No such vehicle is registered yet,"

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