Aston Martin DBX
A bold new chapter and a landmark moment in Aston Martin’s illustrious 106-year history, Aston Martin has unveiled its first SUV and a model that will propel the brand to new heights worldwide. That model is DBX.
The culmination of an extensive development program that began with physical testing in Wales last year and virtual development stretching back to 2015, Aston Martin DBX signals a new era in Aston Martin’s pursuit to deliver exceptional performance, style, and usability in a segment previously unexplored by the world-famous manufacturer. Bringing both the versatility and indulgence expected of a luxury SUV with sports car levels of dynamic performance, DBX sets a bold new standard in this sector.
Aston Martin Lagonda President & Group CEO, Dr. Andy Palmer said: “I can’t emphasise enough how incredibly exciting and significant DBX is for Aston Martin. Through its development alone, this beautiful SUV has already taken the company into new territories and in inspiring directions. Aston Martin DBX also marks a key moment in the delivery of the third and final phase of our Second Century Plan, not only representing the promised expansion of our portfolio but also signalling the start of production at Aston Martin’s second manufacturing plant. We have both delivered this model through our expertise, but also by garnering invaluable experience and knowledge from external counsel, including our Female Advisory Board. This is a real landmark for this great British brand and I promise that DBX will reward all who experience it in their everyday lives.”
Set to be built in Aston Martin’s purpose-built manufacturing facility in St Athan, Wales, the foundation of Aston Martin DBX is a new dedicated SUV platform, something rarely seen across the sector. More than ever before, this clean sheet of paper has allowed all departments within Aston Martin to innovate and push the boundaries of what British design and engineering can create, resulting in a truly remarkable product.
Utilising bonded aluminium, a construction method Aston Martin has refined through the development of its sports cars, the body structure is both very light and incredibly stiff, assisting in the delivery of an overall curb weight of 2,245kg. Right from its genesis, it was designed to allow maximum room in the cabin, putting a premium on refinement and class-leading spaciousness for both front and rear occupants. Meanwhile, the exceptional stiffness inherent in the design of the new platform has also enabled DBX to achieve exceptional dynamics both on and off-road.
Adaptive triple volume air suspension has been combined with the latest 48v electric anti-roll control system (eARC) and electronic adaptive dampers to provide the new SUV with a huge breadth of ability. With its capacity to raise the ride height by 45mm or lower it by 50mm the air suspension gives any driver the confidence to tackle a wide range of terrain. While this of course provides benefits while on the move, the system can be further programmed to aid with ingress, egress, and loading requirements, aiding on a practical level.
The adaptive triple chamber air springs enable variable spring stiffness, giving both luxurious comfort and dynamic prowess. Extraordinarily the eARC – capable of 1,400Nm of anti-roll force per axle – can limit Aston Martin DBX’s body roll for handling that is much more akin to that of a sports car than an SUV. This sophisticated system of adaptive air suspension, dampers, and eARC allows for maximum ride comfort when transporting up to five occupants and their luggage while maintaining a highly responsive and engaging dynamic capability.
Powered by a new version of the characterful 4l, twin-turbocharged V8 engine found in DB11 and Vantage, DBX features an impressive output of 550bhp and 700Nm of torque, carefully tuned to meet the specific needs of this model. With a sound character that is unquestionably Aston Martin, the active exhaust system ensures this is a luxury SUV that can sound refined one moment and exhilarating the next. The engine’s versatility isn’t restricted to its vocals either; the turbocharged V8 has cylinder deactivation to enhance fuel economy, yet it can also propel DBX from 0-100kph in 4.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 290kph.
Design
The work of Aston Martin’s award-winning in-house design team – led by Chief Creative Officer, Marek Reichman – DBX manages to bring a level of sculpture and sleekness to a sector perhaps not normally known for elegance. The fastback look of DBX cleverly positions the visual mass of the car over the rear wheels, just as you see in Aston Martin’s sports cars, but it does so without compromising ingress and egress. Meanwhile, the long-wheelbase not only provides excellent interior packaging but also allows a lower, sleeker roofline, giving elegance to the overall shape.
Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer Marek Reichman said, “DBX is an SUV that does not compromise beauty or performance for practicality or usability. It has been designed to deliver on the proportions that meet the criteria for beauty that we would always apply to the form language of any Aston Martin. It has been created to be elegant, purposeful, and unique in its uncompromising beauty. The considered ergonomics guarantee a cabin that is both easy to access and cossetting to be in. We have worked hard to deliver a sense of safety and protection, allowing you to indulge in DBX’s driving experience in comfort. DBX truly redefines the SUV segment”.
The design of Aston Martin DBX of course begins with the signature Aston Martin grille that recalls a litany of classically beautiful cars from the brand’s history. The bonnet blades can be specified in a range of colours and materials including satin chrome and carbon fibre. Either side of the grille is a striking new feature in the form of the daytime running lights (DRLs). These not only double as indicators but encircle an aerodynamic duct. Above the DRLs sit Bi-LED headlights that complete a confident new interpretation of a familiar face.
The bonnet has two strikingly bold vents that serve dual functions. They both relieve air pressure from under the bonnet, thus reducing front end lift, and help to cool the turbocharged engine. Vents are situated on the side of DBX, helping to minimise drag down the side of the car. The sculptured nature of the bodywork on the side of DBX contrasts with the flat, slab-like forms often seen on SUVs, accentuating its remarkably sleek look.
The smooth and sophisticated look to Aston Martin DBX continues with the glazing on the sides of the car. The first part of the equation is the frameless doors that combine with hidden seals to reduce clutter and provide a beautiful glass-to-metal junction while maximising visibility and light inside the cabin. The B-pillar is fashioned from glass giving the appearance of one piece of glazing in an uninterrupted sweep down the side of the car. At the bottom of the doors, cutaway sills also reduce the stepover required for owners to enter or exit the car, while reducing the risk of ruining clothing on a dirty exterior.
At the back of DBX, the powerful rear haunches incorporate signature rear lights, while the upswept flip at the base of the rear screen clearly takes inspiration from Aston Martin’s most focused sportscar, Vantage. Extending the roofline and sitting at the top of the powered tailgate is a spoiler that helps to direct air down the rear screen as well as creating localised downforce. Twin exhausts complete the exhilarating look at the back of the car.
Open the electrically powered tailgate and a large 632l boot is revealed delivering exceptional practicality. The rear seats split 40:20:40 to allow flexible extra load space and there is a potential for an additional 62l of stowage hidden underneath the boot floor. Close attention has been paid to the ease of loading items into the boot and as a result, there is a wide load space aperture with a very shallow sill. The inside of the boot also features very linear sides to assist with the car’s packing capability. The air suspension can be lowered from inside the boot to further aid loading, or lower the tow ball to attach a trailer.
Two designs of alloy wheels will be available from launch. Both measure 22″ in diameter, adding to DBX’s authoritative demeanour. The Sport wheel is of a beautiful V-spoke design, while there is also an optional ‘Ribbon’ alloy wheel with fluid, interlaced spokes. This optional wheel design took inspiration from the interlocking antlers of stags in battle and cleverly uses precise diamond turning to give the appearance of interwoven strands of contrasting colour metal.
DBX purposely has an assertive ride height in its standard-setting, with appreciable space between the top of the tyre and the wheel arch. This intentional injection of space imbues the whole car with a readiness and an uplifting demeanour that reflects the lightness in the way it drives whether on or off-road.
Marek Reichman said: ‘We’ve successfully managed to achieve a package with the proportions and mechanical layout that allow sports car styling to be applied to a versatile, five-seat vehicle in a beautiful way.’
Interior
And what of the interior? Well, there has never been an Aston Martin that has had so much research into its design, particularly with regard to its ergonomics and interior space. Aston Martin DBX has been designed from the inside out to ensure that the cabin is spacious and comfortable with occupants able to get in and out easily.
This began with the decision to use a bespoke body and the resultant ability to tailor the vehicle size and proportions to suit the specific needs of DBX. The length between the wheels allowed the design team to optimise cabin space while maintaining DBX’s sleek, low roofline. Over six months were spent solely defining the position of the driver within the vehicle, with enough movement in the driver’s seat to allow clear visibility across the front bonnet from the 99th percentile male to the 5th percentile female – a tall order, but achievable through the model’s versatile packaging. The target was to blend the authoritative, confident sensibility that is expected in the driving position of an SUV, with some of the focused, low-slung sports car feelings that are associated with being in an Aston Martin.
This same philosophy of being inspired by, but not merely imitating Aston Martin’s sports cars, can be found in other areas of DBX’s interior. The steering wheel, for example, is a new design, with new switchgear. The large paddles that can be used to operate the 9-speed automatic gearbox are beautifully tactile and unlike those usually found in an SUV. The seats have been based on those found in the DB11, but have been equipped with separate armrests from driver to passenger to allow for fully personalised seating positions in the front. Fundamentally, the same qualities of long-distance comfort with sportscar levels of support are required in DBX. However, the slim, svelte nature of a sports car seat’s framework also has benefits for an SUV in terms of maximising interior space, particularly for those sitting behind. Class-leading rear headroom is 1,016mm with rear legroom at 1,060mm, offering ample space to position your feet underneath the front seat.
Powertrain
At the heart of the Aston Martin DBX is a new, more powerful version of the 4.0-litre, twin-turbo V8 that has been so widely acclaimed in the Vantage and DB11. Thanks to upgraded turbochargers, a different compression ratio, and updated charge coolers, the V8 sourced from Mercedes-AMG has gained in power delivering the performance levels required of a high-performance SUV.
The new, smoother delivery better suits the engine’s application in DBX. A change in the firing order of the cylinders has also altered the vocal character of the engine. With very pure tones in the lower sound order, followed by more complexity as it rises through a louder mid-tone character to the higher frequencies, Aston Martin DBX maintains a distinct Aston Martin exhaust sound character. The active exhaust valves provide a pleasing duality to the nature of the soundtrack, with a clear step change in volume when the valves open, yet maintain a refined tone when required.
In GT mode, the valves remain closed for the quietest, most relaxed experience. In Sport mode, the valves open to reveal more of DBX’s inner sports car. In Sport+ the valves open and the idle speed is also increased from 650rpm to 800rpm to add an extra note of aggression.
DBX retains the distinctive engine start flare, the exhaust valves will open on a single, short press of the glass stop/start button. If the owner wishes to activate the quiet start option, such as early in the morning or in more discreet surroundings, then all they will need to do is hold down the stop/start button when bringing the engine to life.
In select markets, DBX will be the first Aston Martin to be fitted with a gas particulate filter (GPF) as part of new emissions regulations. A GPF smooths the airflow as it passes through and acts as an expansion chamber, which means it has the effect of a second muffler, particularly in regard to the higher-frequency exhaust tones. Despite these challenges, Aston Martin’s engineers have managed to ensure that the driver and passengers in a DBX enjoy a truly rich Aston Martin soundtrack. For those markets that don’t require the fitment of a GPF a sports exhaust will be an option ensuring the richest exhaust sound character DBX offers a 9-speed torque converter automatic, chosen to suit the demands of an SUV, with the complexities of the all-wheel-drive system and active centre transfer case also helping to deliver the smooth and refined driving experience required, alongside off-road capability & towing capacity. Once again, versatility was a key consideration and while the gearbox has been calibrated to deliver swift, crisp shifts in Sport and Sport+ modes, the ability to also handle the loads required when towing up to 2.7 tons makes it an ideal solution.
Chief Engineer – Powertrain, Joerg Ross said: “With this new iteration of the tremendous twin-turbo V8 combined with the 9-speed torque converter gearbox we have got the perfect blend of smooth and useable with exciting and powerful. It delivers exactly the character we wanted for an Aston Martin SUV.”
All things considered; I’m not too sure where I stand on the matter of the DBX. I know there is a rise in the demand of the SUV, but when I think of an SUV Aston, it seems a bit desperate. Hopefully, time will prove me wrong, and I might end up loving the DBX. The specs are all very impressive, but at this point, I like them more on a DB11 rather than a big bulky bruiser.
Wheel Reveal 