The DBX is produced at the brand’s new manufacturing plant in St Athan, Wales (All photos: Aston Martin)
One of the final few luxury carmakers to get into the SUV game, Aston Martin has made the wait well worth it with its new DBX. An SUV intended to expand the sales reach of the brand worldwide, the DBX is produced at the brand’s new manufacturing plant in St Athan, Wales. With its all-wheel drive system, DBX will allow the iconic British carmaker to increase its presence in markets where perhaps the weather or terrain is less than conducive to rear-wheel drive sports cars.
The clear emphasis on a spacious and luxurious cabin — whether seated in the front or back — will also allow Aston Martin to better reach customers who prefer to be driven rather than drive. Might this be the SUV to beat all others? We'll have to wait and see until we get behind the wheels. In the meantime, here are five things you should know about this stunning new car.
Ultra-lightweight
Utilising bonded aluminium, a construction method Aston Martin has refined through the development of its sports cars, the body structure of the DBX is both very light and incredibly stiff, assisting in the delivery of an overall kerbweight of 2,245kg. Right from its genesis, it was designed to allow maximum room in the cabin, putting a premium on refinement and class leading spaciousness for both front and rear occupants. Meanwhile, the exceptional stiffness inherent in the design of the new platform has also enabled DBX to achieve exceptional dynamics both on and off-road.
Power platforms
Powered by a new version of the characterful 4-litre, twin-turbocharged V8 engine found in DB11 and Vantage, DBX features an impressive output of 550PS and 700NM of torque, carefully tuned to meet the specific needs of this model. With a sound character that is unquestionably Aston Martin, the active exhaust system ensures this is a luxury SUV that can sound refined one moment and exhilarating the next.
The engine’s versatility isn’t restricted to its vocals either; the turbocharged V8 has cylinder deactivation to enhance fuel economy, yet it can also propel DBX from 0 to 100km/h in 4.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 291km/h. Transmitting this power and torque to the ground 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).
Space exploration
With 632 litres of boot space and 40:20:40 split folding rear seats DBX possesses all the flexible load capacity expected of an SUV with class-leading interior space. The load space offers a practical and cleanly designed space. A narrow load sill and broad aperture maximises the practicality for a variety of luggage, such as suitcases, golf bags and full loads of groceries — with the rise in Covid-19 cases around the country, we are likely to be spending a bit more time at home in the coming weeks.
Interior luxuries
The luxuriously handcrafted interior of the DBX has been designed to provide equal space and comfort whether seated in the front or rear. Class-leading headroom and legroom combines with a full-length glass panoramic roof and frameless door glass to offer a fantastically light and spacious cabin environment. The use of sports car seat packaging in the front not only provides the driver with exceptional support and long-distance driving comfort, but also provides knee and footwell clearance for those at the back.
The seats are trimmed in sumptuous, full grain leather, sourced from long term partner Bridge of Weir. An industry first, both the headlining and electric roof blind are available in a luxurious Alcantara finish, providing a harmonious design, light obscuration and solar attenuation without compromising headroom. Throughout the cabin, DBX maintains an authenticity of materials, with judicious use of metal, glass and wood. This being an Aston Martin, you can customise the car to suit your personal tastes — as part of Q by Aston Martin, optional features of the centre console, for example, can be machined from a solid piece of wood for added tactility.
Exterior design
DBX’s exterior works as hard as the interior at bringing the elegance of Aston Martin’s sports cars into the world of the SUV. From the signature ‘DB’ grille at the front, through the sculptured sides and design feature line, to the tailgate with a flip that draws inspiration from Vantage, this is an Aston Martin from first glance to detailed inspection. Beautiful details like the hidden side glass seals on the frameless doors and glass B-pillar finishers add an elegant sleekness and confidence to the stance. Cutaway sills also assist in narrowing the stepover required to enter the sumptuous cabin, while reducing the risk of ruining a fine dress or suit on arrival to a dinner engagement.
The Aston Martin DBX is available from the base price of RM818,000 (before duties, customisation options, taxes and insurance) and is now available for viewing and booking. For more information, contact Aston Martin Kuala Lumpur at 03 2163 1196 or see here.
