Kiwis to get first batch of Aston Martin super SUVs
The newest, and, arguably, best looking luxury SUV has been revealed in Sydney, and New Zealand buyers will be among the first in the world to drive the new five-door five-seat super SUV.
Previewed to the public at the Bathurst 12 Hour, the DBX was unveiled with big numbers and modest but confident aspirations, in Sydney days later.
At $330,000, it’s targeted at potential buyers of the Bentley Bentayga, Lambo Urus or RollsRoyce Cullinan, and the handful of pre-orders scheduled for delivery in 2020, combined with its global popularity, has pushed the waiting list to 12 months.
“We’ve pre-sold 1800 units already, in record time,” said Patrik Nilsson, president, Aston Martin Asia Pacific. “It’s the fastest selling Aston ever.
“Our research has shown that 73 per cent of current Aston Martin customers own an SUV [of another brand]… we didn’t have an offering.”
“It’s not necessarily the volume seller,” said Aston Martin regional manager, Kevin Wall, “but it’ll open up new markets for us. And the reaction has been excellent… though we’ve been telling our customers about it for five years.”
Speaking speed, key numbers for the SUV include a 4.0-litre twinturbo V8, making 405kW and
700Nm, good for 0-100km/h in 4.5 sec and a 290km/h top speed.
Though the engine and ninespeed gearbox is supplied by Mercedes-AMG, the DBX is an allnew bonded aluminium platform,
“We wanted it to look, feel, sound and drive like an Aston Martin, and it’s surprisingly roomy. ‘I can sit behind myself’,” says Nilsson, a
1.93m tall Swede. Indeed, it’s comfortable and cosseting, featuring frameless front and rear doors, two info screens with CarPlay, 64 lighting colour options, a
360-degree camera and the kind of touch and smell opulence expected from James Bond’s brand of choice.
A full panoramic roof is standard and, with all the safety features offered,
635 litres of boot space and 40:20:40 split-folding rear seat offer the versatility of everything from four golf bags to ski gear. Eccentric and eclectic options include a moose-hunting gun cabinet, snow, polo and pet packs. It’s well specced, said Wall. “Customers can choose their sound system upgrade, the look and feel of the leather and the style of the 22in wheels.”
The white, righthand drive early prototype unveiled looks imposing in person — and not just “for an SUV”, dripping in carbon fibre details.
Sunken on its lowest of seven height settings for on- or off-road, the DBX could be mistaken for a large sports hatchback, though its 95mm suspension range through six different modes keeps it traditional and capable, even if the majority will likely never leave the road.
A whisker more than 5m long, it looked smaller in the Aston Martin Sydney showroom, possibly because of the lowered suspension.
“We’ve sold out our initial allocation in Australia/NZ,” said Nilsson. With demonstrators arriving in showrooms as early as April, Kiwis can expect to car-spot customer DBXs on the road around June.
New Zealand will be one of the first countries to get the DBX.
“New Zealand waves the flag well above its average, because it has enjoyed world-leading market share for at least the last seven years,” said Nilsson, whose Kiwi connection includes a time living in Huntly.
“In 2019, we were over 30 per cent of our stated target market. We’re very proud of this performance… NZ is just a total gem for us.”