Elite offering in super crossovers 2023 Aston Martin DBX707
Aston Martin’s top-line DBX707 all about performance
Tribune News Service
Aston Martin has thrilled auto enthusiasts the world over since 1964, when 007 sped across the silver screen in the now-iconic DB5 in “Goldfinger.” That one came with essential secret-agent options like .30-caliber machine guns up front, oil and smoke emitters in the rear, and an ejector seat to dispense with unwelcome passengers.
None of those is available in the brand’s top-line DBX crossover, the DBX707, but it does offer amazing skills and thrills and a shipload of high-end but tamer features. First question is, are you comfortable with a price tag of a quarter-mill or more for a midsize crossover?
Aston Martin entered the super-crossover party over two years ago but has upped the ante with this one, named for its 707 metric horsepower (that’s 697 hp to you American types). With launch control at the ready, it faces foes like the Porsche Cayenne GT (which started the craze), Lamborghini Urus, Bentley Bentayga Speed and Ferrari Purosangue.
The first thing to get your head around is a supercar in the crossover market. Of course, the 2023 DBX707 isn’t just a crossover: Aston calls it the world’s fastest production SUV with 0 to 60 mph coming in
3.1 seconds. Potent carbon ceramic brakes shed the speed remarkably quick, and adaptive dampers with a 48-volt anti-roll system keep it flat on corners.
It even goes from track to trail with an off-road drive mode. An air suspension system can raise ground clearance by 1.8 inches or lower it for improved on-road performance.
The 707 has the same exterior design as the DBX. But it has a larger (by 27 percent) dark chrome grille to suck in extra air for engine cooling, additional new air intakes and brake cooling ducts. A wider and lower stance combines with new daytime running lights and carbon fiber front splitter to give the front end a more aggressive look.
In the rear, a longer ducktail spoiler provides better downforce, and there’s a larger rear diffuser, too. Larger quad exhausts in black look great.
Power comes from the same 4.0-liter, twin-turbo V-8 engine as in the DBX but with new turbochargers, tuning and electronics. At 697 horsepower and 663 pound-feet of torque, the DBX707 offers 155 more hp over the core DBX and an extra 147 units of torque.
A key piece of the technology, says engineering chief Drummond Jacoy, is a new wet-clutch, nine-speed transmission that provides smoother and 30 percent faster shifts.
This crossover is crazy fast: 0 to
100 mph checks in at 7.9 seconds. A new racing launch control rockets the DBX to the quarter-mile mark in just 11.5 seconds at 119 mph.
With an amazing top speed of 193 mph, Jacoy calls the 707 the fastest ultra-luxury SUV in the world.
Back on real roads, where people commute and run errands, the allwheel-drive DBX707 remains fun to drive and engaging. Steering is quick to respond, corners are barely noticeable, and the ride is comfortable though on the stiff side (this is high performance, remember?).
Stopping power is strong with massive rotors (16.5 inches up front, 15.4 rear) that are matched with calipers painted in one of six colors.
Five drive modes control the settings for the ride, chosen with a dial on the center console. Four of the modes are for on-road, one for mild off-road activity. The default mode is GT and serves best for daily driving.
Seats are firm but well padded and comfortable even for all-day driving. They have 16-way power adjustment to accommodate all sizes. Driver visibility is good at front and sides, but gets squeezed in the rear because of the sloping roof. But the rear seat accommodates three adults with comfort.
■ MSRP: $236,000
■ As tested: $292,586 (includes a long list of options such as gloss 2-by-2 twill carbon fiber inside and out, $17,100; Apex gray paint, $5,000; painted brake calipers, $1,500; dark-grille finish, $800; rear acoustic privacy glass, $1,900; smoked taillights, $1,200; textured black 23-inch wheels, $5,700; tri-tone leather interior, $13,500).
What’s all the excitement about? Are you kidding? Amazing power, speed and performance wrapped in a super-crossover from Aston Martin.
■ Powertrain: 4.0-liter, twin-turbo V-8 engine produces 697 hp and 663 poundfeet of torque; mated to nine-speed, wetclutch automatic for quicker shifts.
How’s the performance? Bullet-like acceleration to 60 mph in 3.1 seconds, the quarter-mile in 11.5 seconds with launch control. Adaptive damping and 48-volt anti-roll system keeps it well planted on corners.
■ Fuel economy: Epa-estimated 15 mpg city, 20 highway, 17 mpg combined.
Ignition switch and gear-selector buttons, oddly, are found across the top of the dash where it’s a reach even for taller folks when seats are pushed back.
The driver faces a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster. Meanwhile, infotainment comes from a Mercedes-generated system on a 10.3-inch screen, but it is not a touch screen. Rather, it is operated with a rotary dial and touchpad that seems outdated in this modern cabin.
Expect the usual advanced safety features, like adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind spot and lane change alerts.