THE ADVENTURE-LOVING MEMBER OF THE FAMILY
ASTON MARTIN’S DBX MODEL IS A STEP INTO THE WORLD OF SUVS, WHICH COMBINE THE PERFORMANCE AND THE PLEASURE OF RIDING FOUND IN SPORTS CARS WITH THE COMFORT AND DIVERSE UTILITY ASPECT OF OFF-ROAD VEHICLES.
In the past, during press meetings, when asked “Are you planning on producing off-road vehicles?” CEOS of luxury sports cars brands reacted in a way that showed how foreign this idea was to them. However, times have changed. Those who were so foreign to the idea of being associated with the SUV class are now competing to be part of it.
Porsche, which showed great courage with the Cayenne model about 20 years ago, was followed by Maserati, Bentley, and Lamborghini. At this point it is unacceptable for Aston Martin not to be in this class as well. The British manufacturer finally said “I’m in” and in the past couple of months introduced the DBX model which it has been working on since 2015. This new model proves that the increasingly popular off-road vehicles can be as enjoyable as high-performance cars with their ability to deal with harsh conditions and their comfort.
The DBX, Aston Martin’s first five-seater model, despite its size and high body, feels like it belongs to the family. With its long front blinds, which is a symbol of the brand, and the two output ducts on top it is obvious to whom the DNA belongs. The output ducts while playing an important role in cooling the twin-turbo engine, also enable the air from below to be released and stop the front from rising. At the back, with a dual exhaust system, the wings at the end of the glass ceiling and the taillights that go from end to end catch the eye. When observed from the side, the frameless windows and the 22-inch wheel rims come to the fore.
Superior Craftsmanship
It would not be wrong to say that Aston Martin started designing the new model from the cabin. The most important reason for this is that there are no limits to the necessary inside space and comfort. According to the company, the production of the DBX involved more thinking than any of its other models. It took six months just to come up with the ideal driving position. The front seats that are reminiscent of the DB11, the steering wheel designed specifically for the model, and the control buttons will raise your expectations. The 12.3-inch dashboard and the 10.25-inch screen of the info-entertainment system of the central console reflect the innovative face of the brand while making them enjoyable to use. The knee and foot space in the back seats, designed to fit two adults and a child, is one of the best in its field. With 64 different options for interior lighting and 14 speakers made by Harman/samsung, an 800 Watt-powered music system completes the final touches. The craftsmanship required to build the cabin, where leather, wood, aluminium, and carbon fibres are used in harmony, adds up to about 200 hours of work.
In the trunk of the well-detailed SUV there is a magic button. When putting heavy pieces into the trunk this button lowers the body of the car. The trunk has a total capacity of 694 liters, 632 normal capacity and 62 extra liters.
Track or Off-road?
Having foreseen that its customers would not want to drive off-road, Aston Martin gave priority to road use. This does not mean that the vehicle will not be able to find its way off-road. The four-levelled air suspension and the electric active roll control (EARC) prevents the body from turning on its side, and gives the feeling of driving a two-passenger model. The strong gear system gives the same feeling while braking with its results being equivalent of the DBS Superleggera. With the help of advanced suspension, you can increase the height of the body 45 mm over or 50 mm below the standard driving position.
The four-wheel drive system, which makes it easier on harsh roads, can distribute the engine power either completely to the back or 47/53 between the front and back depending on the information it gathers from the censors. The power that reaches the back wheels, depending on the limited-slip differential and the ground grip, is distributed accordingly between the left and right sides.
We mentioned how power was distributed. Now it is time for the main issue: the engine that provides the power. The Mercedes-amg-produced twin-turbo 4.0 liter V8 engine, also used by Aston Martin in the DB11 model, went through many modifications from turbos to cylinders to firing order when being adapted to the DBX. Following these developments,
the DBX, which reaches 527 horsepower, completes its
0-100 km/h acceleration in 4.3 seconds and reaches a speed of 291 km/h. When we remember that the DB11 required
4.0 seconds, we can easily see that this really is not a bad performance for an SUV. In achieving these figures, the role played by the lightweight technology we know from the brand’s sports cars is crucial. The fact that the chassis, the body, and the suspension are made largely out of aluminium provides for the high endurance and the impressive light weight (2,245 kg) for this class of cars.
The new model has four road and two off-road driving modes in order to distribute the power most effectively while increasing the ease and safety in driving. The system, which deactivates half of the cylinders when on ease mode, promises economic fuel consumption and performance in the DBX. According to the information received, Aston Martin is working on hybrid and electronic engine options to provide comfort for environmentally concerned customers.
Aston Martin has stated that 70% of the brand’s customers also own SUVS of different brands. Considering the devotion of Aston Martin lovers, we can say that the DBX has been born into a good family and does not carry any worries in regard to the future. The DBX is an important milestone not only for the 106-year history of the brand but also for all car enthusiasts.