Aston Martin’s “leviathan”: the fastest production SUV on sale
Aston Martin describes its new DBX707 as “the Supercar of SUVs”, and it is true that in “the rarefied world of the ultra-rapid luxury SUV, they don’t come any better than this”, said Steve Sutcliffe in Auto Express. “Even at £190,000.” With a top speed of 193mph, it is the fastest production SUV money can buy. A “true leviathan”, it weighs more than 2.2 tonnes, with 697bhp and 900Nm of torque. Thanks to a revised nine-speed automatic gearbox, it can do 0-62mph in a “surreal” 3.3 seconds and, “crazier still”, it takes just 7.4 seconds to hit 100mph from a standstill.
It’s when you turn the new rotary controller into Sport+ mode that the DBX707 “goes full Hellcat on you”, as the revs “whip and crack”, said Stuart Gallagher in Evo. But it’s not the reach of the engine that impresses the most, it’s the changes to the DBX’s chassis. With revised suspension, new dampers all round and gigantic 420mm carbon ceramic brakes, the DBX exerts “impressive body control”; larger ball bearings in the twin turbochargers reduce friction, and there’s a new exhaust system, too.
The 707 is a very different type of DBX – “harder, angrier”, said Ollie Marriage in Top Gear. “But it doesn’t look as aggressively sporting as it is to drive.” Yes it’s got huge 23in wheels, a bigger gaping grille at the front for cooling and new sports seats, but it’s not imposing enough: “it’s too elegant”. Inside, there are other drawbacks that will irritate many buyers – such as the fact that there’s no touchscreen – but nevertheless, it’s “still a hoot”.