Landmark Aston
The new DBX heralds a new era for Aston Martin in the pursuit to deliver exceptional performance, style, and usability in a segment previously unexplored by the manufacturer. Yet it is late to market, making it difficult for the sporty luxury SUV to find
The new Aston Martin DBX may signal a bold new chapter and a landmark moment in the illustrious 106-year history of the marque but the recently launched luxury SUV is a very late arrival in this highly competitive segment. As such it may find it difficult to get a foothold and gain acceptance in this market.
According to the British manufacturer the DBX signals a new era in its pursuit to deliver exceptional performance, style, and usability in a segment previously unexplored, by combining the versatility and indulgence expected of a luxury SUV with sports car levels of dynamic performance.
While this sounds prodigious, many other sports car orientated luxury SUV manufacturers, including Porsche, Lamborghini, and Maserati, also lay claim to this mantra, and they have the pedigree to prove it with their Cayenne-, Urus-, and Levante offerings.
The Cayenne, introduced in 2003, pioneered this segment and is now already in its third incarnation (with an even more sporty Turbo S Coupé version). The Levante, produced from 2016, now has a Trofeo model in its line-up and the Lamborghini Urus made its debut late in 2017.
So, what does the DBX offer that sets it apart or make it stand out from its rivals? Well, while late to market, it has the advantage of an extensive development programme using the latest technology, with virtual development stretching back to 2015.
Unlike its rivals, the DBX, set to be built in the purpose-built Aston Martin manufacturing facility in St Athan, Wales, is constructed on a new dedicated SUV platform. This allowed the carmaker to innovate and push the boundaries of design and engineering.
Utilising bonded aluminium, a construction method Aston Martin has refined through the development of its sports cars, the body structure is very light and incredibly stiff, assisting in the delivery of an overall kerb weight of 2 245 kg. Right from its genesis, the DBX was designed to allow maximum room in the cabin, putting a premium on refinement and classleading spaciousness for all occupants.
Aston Martin also claims the exceptional stiffness inherent in the design of the new platform that enables the DBX to achieve outstanding dynamics both on- and off-road; the culmination of an extensive development programme that began with physical testing in Wales last year.
Adaptive suspension
The first SUV and the first full five-seater in the history of this British firm features adaptive triple-volume air suspension combined with the latest 48v electric antiroll control system (EARC) and electronic adaptive dampers to provide it with a huge breadth of ability.
Ride height can be raised by 45 mm or lowered by 50 mm, giving any driver the confidence to tackle a wide range of terrain. Its adaptive triple chamber air springs enable variable spring stiffness, ensuring both comfort and dynamic prowess. The EARC – capable of 1 400 Nm of anti-roll force per axle – can limit body-roll for handling more akin to that of a sports car than an SUV.
Twin-turbo power
Power comes from a twin-turbo 4,0-litre V8 sourced from Mercedes-amg and shared with the DB11 and Vantage,
although in the DBX it offers 405 kw and 700 Nm and a “sound character that is unquestionably Aston Martin”. The manufacturer claims this makes a sprint time from standstill to 100 km/h of 4.5 seconds possible (matching the Cayenne Turbo S but slightly slower than the Levante Trofeo and Urus) and a top speed of 292 km/h.
Transmitting this power and torque to the wheels is a nine-speed torque convertor automatic gearbox, allied to an all-wheel-drive system with active differentials featuring an active central differential and an electronic rear limited slip differential (ediff), allowing the torque to be moved precisely fore and aft. Inside, Aston Martin claims the DBX has classleading levels of headroom and legroom, as well as 632 litres of boot space. It also features a full-length glass panoramic roof and frameless doors, along with full-grain leather trim, plenty of Alcantara (the headlining and electric roof blind are available in Alcantara finish, an industry first) and a range of wood, composite- and metal veneers.
A 10.25-inch TFT screen sits flush in the centre console, while a huge 12.3-inch TFT screen provides information to the driver. Apple Carplay comes as standard, as does a 360-degree camera system and ambient lighting that offers 64 different colours in two zones. Its exterior also brings the elegance of the Aston Martin sports cars into the SUV world through the signature ‘DB’ grille at the front, the sculptured sides and design feature line, and the Vantagetype tailgate.
The DBX, fourth car in transformational Second Century Plan of Aston Martin, is now available overseas and is expected to be launched locally early this year. It will be priced from R3,6 million (compared with the Lamborghjni Urus starting at R3,495 million and the Porsche Cayenne Turbo S E-hybrid Coupé retailing for around R2,844 million).
This means it will slot into the local range above the Aston Martin Vantage V8 and Rapide S but below the DBS Superleggera. In the DB11 model range only the V8-powered coupé will be less expensive than the SUV. Even at that price point, Aston Martin still has huge expectations of the DBX as the model that will propel the brand to new heights worldwide.