Bentley has one, Rolls-Royce has one, and not even Lamborghini has resisted the temptation — now it's Aston Martin's turn. THE Aston Martin DBX it is the brand's first ever SUV, and nothing similar has been seen so far in its 106 years of existence.
In addition to being its first SUV, the DBX is also the first Aston Martin ever to have… a capacity for five occupants.
Premieres don't end there; the 4th model to be born under the “Second Century” plan is also the first to be produced at the new plant, the second, by Aston Martin, located in St. Athan, Wales.
The pressure on DBX is great. Its success depends a lot on the future sustainability of Aston Martin, so the expectation is that it will have the same effect on the brand's accounts as we saw, for example, in the Urus at Lamborghini.
What is the Aston Martin DBX made of?
As in its sports cars, the DBX uses an aluminum platform, and despite using the same connection techniques (adhesives), this one is completely new. Aston Martin tells us that it combines high rigidity with lightness.
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However, even with abundant use of aluminum, the final weight of the DBX is 2245 kg, in line with other SUVs of similar volume and mechanics.
It promises a spacious cabin — as we said, it's the brand's first ever five-seater — as well as a generous trunk, around 632 l. An Aston Martin as familiar? It seems so. Even the rear seat folds down in three parts (40:20:40), something you would never think of writing about an Aston Martin.
look like an aston martin
The typology and shape of the bodywork are alien to the brand, but the effort on the part of its designers to ensure an Aston Martin identity to the new DBX was great. The front is dominated by the brand's typical grille, and at the rear, the optics refer to the new Vantage.
A five-door Aston Martin is also unprecedented, but comes with more common details in sports cars, such as the doors without frames; and more peculiar ones, such as the B-pillar glass finish, which helps in the perception of an uninterrupted lateral glazed area.
Aerodynamics was also given special care by Aston Martin, and if the word downforce is meaningless when we talk about the DBX, there was special care to reduce the SUV's aerodynamic drag.
It even involved unprecedented exercises for the development team, more used to coupé and low-rise convertibles, such as simulating the aerodynamic performance of the Aston Martin DBX towing a trailer with a DB6…
Andy Palmer, CEO and President of Aston Martin LagondaThe DBX is a car that will give many people their first experience of owning an Aston Martin. So it has to be true to the core values established by our sports cars, while providing the versatile lifestyle expected from a luxury SUV. To have produced such a beautiful, hand-assembled yet technologically advanced automobile is a proud moment for Aston Martin.
Can an SUV behave like an Aston Martin?
We believe that the challenge is not easy, but it was not an impediment for Aston Martin to try it, arming the DBX with a sophisticated chassis.
The new Aston Martin DBX comes with an adaptive air suspension (three chambers) capable of raising or reducing ground clearance by 45 mm and 50 mm, respectively. A feature that also facilitates access to the passenger compartment or luggage compartment.
The dynamic arsenal doesn't stop there. Thanks to the presence of a 48 V semi-hybrid system, the stabilizer bars are also active (eARC) — capable of exerting an anti-rolling force per axle of 1400 Nm — a solution similar to what we saw in the Bentley Bentayga; and the DBX also comes with active differentials — a central and an eDiff on the back, ie an electronic self-blocking differential.
All this allows for a huge range of dynamic capabilities, says Aston Martin, from a comfortable roadster to a more sharply sporty one.
British but with a German heart
As in Vantage and DB11 V8, the engine of the new Aston Martin DBX is the same 4.0 V8 twin turbo of AMG origin. We've got nothing against this powerplant, no matter which machine it's equipped with — whether it's a hardcore sports car or even an off-road icon. It is without a doubt one of the great engines of our times.The twin turbo V8 on the DBX delivers 550 hp and 700 Nm and is capable of launching the more than 2.2 t of the DBX up to 100 km/h in 4.5s and reaching a maximum speed of 291 km/h. The sound also varies, thanks to an active exhaust system, and thinking about the (possible) fuel economy, it has a cylinder deactivation system.
To transmit all the power of the V8 to the asphalt, or even to tracks off the asphalt, we have an automatic gearbox (torque converter) with nine speeds and the traction is, of course, all four wheels.
Interior à la Aston Martin
If on the outside we can question that it is an Aston Martin, on the inside, those doubts disappear.
Entering the DBX cockpit is entering a universe of skin, metal, glass and wood. We can also add Alcantara which, optionally, serves as a ceiling lining, and can even be the material for the panoramic roof curtain (as standard); as well as a new material whose composition is 80% wool. It also debuts for a new composite material, based on linen, as an alternative to carbon fiber, with a distinct texture.
By opting for “Q by Aston Martin” personalization services, the sky seems to be infinite: center console carved from a solid block of wood? It's possible.
One of the many possibilities for the DBX interior.
Despite the luxurious appearance, tending towards the craft, there is also space for technology. The infotainment system consists of a 10.25″ TFT screen, and even the instrument panel is 100% digital (12.3″). Compatibility with Apple CarPlay and 360º camera are also present.
There are also specific equipment packages, such as one for pets, which includes a portable shower to clean our pets' paws before they get into the car; or another for snow, which includes a warmer for… boots.
The most intriguing of them all? The equipment package for hunting enthusiasts…
When does it arrive and for how much?
The new Aston Martin DBX is now available for order, with the first deliveries taking place in the second quarter of 2020. There are no prices for Portugal, but as a reference, the British brand announced an initial price of 193 500 euros for Germany.
It should also be noted that the first 500 customers of the new Aston Martin DBX benefit from the exclusive “1913 Package”, which in addition to bringing several unique personalization elements, will all be inspected by Andy Palmer, the CEO, before being handed over to their future owners. This package also includes the delivery of a unique book on building the DBX, signed not only by its CEO, but also by creative director Marek Reichmann.