As the pivotal Aston Martin DBX SUV draws closer to being revealed and put into full production, it has entered what the carmaker says is the 'more comprehensive test regime' of any Aston so far.
Sub-eight-minute Nordschleife laps
Extensive everyday, real-world driving and high-performance track evaluation is taking place in both the UK (at Silverstone) and Germany (at the Nürburgring), with chief engineer Matt Becker and his team working to ensure the DBX has a wide spread of talents. Apparently, the DBX SUV has so far matched the cornering speeds of the Vantage sports car, while also achieving braking distances superior to no less a machine than the DBS Superleggera.
So impressive has the DBX been so far that, apparently, it has regularly clocked laps of the Nordschleife in less than eight minutes a time. That is stonkingly quick for a sports car, never mind an SUV. But then the DBS has quite the engine: a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, delivering 550hp and 700Nm. That puts it ahead of the same engine in its 510hp/675Nm application as seen in other Astons, like the DB11 Volante.
V8 sounds bass-rich
With a top speed beyond 290km/h, the final and exact speed and acceleration figures are still being set, but Aston Martin has provided a video (see below) to let you hear the DBX's voice, which is nice of the company. And Becker adds: "We have concentrated our work to ensure that the calibration and tune of this 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 delivers both the everyday usability and refinement expected by SUV owners. However, we have also focused heavily on matching that with the engaging driving dynamics that are commanded by our brand and inherent in every Aston Martin and early indications of the car's overall performance have been incredibly promising. The next few months will be extremely important to us, as we continue to hone the powertrain credentials and a dynamic setup that will help make this the most exciting SUV on the market."
The Aston Martin DBX is set to be unveiled this December.