With Aston Martin’s recently acquired £304 million bond - about $440 million at the current rates - the brand is full speed ahead on supplying an all new platform for their full line of sports cars, including the DB9, Vantage and Rapide models. In fact, the new DB9 has already been caught testing for the first time, under heavy camouflage of course. The highly decorated model doesn’t exactly tell us much, but at least we’ve got an official confirmation of the car’s current development.

The first details for the 2013 Aston Martin DB9 suggest that it will get new lights like the ones found on the Rapide and Virage, a new side profile, new side skirts, a more aggressive front spoiler, and a rear trunk lid lip. The rear end also looks to be a bit wider and taller than the current DB9 and there will also be new mesh-grilled hood vents and side mirrors that stand farther away from the doors, mounted on thinner, more aerodynamic stalks. Under the hood, the new DB9 will feature the same 6.0-liter V-12 engine that delivers 510 HP and is mated to a a choice of six-speed manual or shift-by-wire six-speed automatic.

Expect the 2013 Aston Martin DB9 to make its debut sometime next year.