Aston Martin has finally ended the wait and the drip-feed of details, and shown us its DBX. It's the first SUV in the company's 106-year history and as such will doubtless prove controversial to many. While we can easily imagine many not liking the look of it, from these first images and the car shown in Beijing, it's rather handsome, and certainly a better first 4x4 effort than was, say, Porsche's first-generation Cayenne.
Vantage-style rear end
At the front there's a traditional Aston Martin 'face' with the headlights set under covers, and the usual contoured grille. Well, taller than usual we suppose. Around the back, the styling is very heavily influenced by the Aston Martin Vantage coupe, with a kicked-up 'duck-tail' integrated spoiler and a slim, wrap-over brake light bar.
There are some clever aerodynamic tricks too. The front daytime running lights are part of a built-in air duct that exits behind the wheelarch and carries on down the side of the car. Meanwhile, that rear ducktail isn't a mere styling affectation, but part of an aero package that Aston says allows the rear screen to 'self-clean' while on the move. Aston Martin claims that the aero package is also aimed as much at increasing sonic comfort in the cabin as it is straight-line performance, and that it's one of the few companies to be using 'computational aeroacoustics technology' to achieve this. The DBX was even apparently tested in the wind tunnel while hitched up to a trailer (towing a classic Aston DB6!).
Under the skin, the DBX uses a new all-aluminium chassis, related to that found under the DB11 and the Vantage. It will eventually spread out to be used by other Aston Martin models in the future. Light and stiff, it means that the DBX has a relatively trim kerb weight (by large, luxury 4x4 standards at any rate) of 2,245kg.
For arguably the first time ever, Aston Martin says that it has concentrated from the get-go on making the cabin as spacious and roomy as possible, and says that the DBX is a full five-seater.
Air suspension with active anti-roll
On the suspension front, there is air suspension, which can raise or lower the car through 45mm (upwards) or 50mm (downwards) and that's backed up by adaptive damping and a new 48-volt active anti-roll system. It allows Aston to claim that "It can limit DBX's body roll for handling that is much more akin to that of a sports car than an SUV."
Power comes from an updated version of the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine found in the Vantage and DB11, and which is based on a Mercedes-AMG unit. Power is 550hp, while there's 700Nm of torque and an active exhaust system that allows it to "sound refined one moment and exhilarating the next."
With this engine the DBX will crack through a 4.5-second 0-100km/h run and go on to a top speed of 291km/h - just shy of the top speed for the Porsche Cayenne Turbo S . That power is transmitted to all four wheels through a nine-speed automatic gearbox. At the rear is an electronic differential that allows for torque to be vectored to an individual rear wheel when needs be.
Whatever about its performance, this will be by far the most practical Aston Martin product ever. The boot measures a very useful 632 litres, and the rear seats split/fold in a 40:20:40 layout. A choice of packages will tailor the car even further to customers' needs, sports or pastimes. For example, the Pet package will include, amongst other things, a portable washer to help attend to the needs of a muddy dog after a walk. Alternatively, the Snow package will feature boot warmers to make a ski trip "just that little bit more pleasurable."
Up front, there's the expected levels of luxury, with a full leather interior by Bridge of Weir, a large central touchscreen and a new digital instrument package. You'll spot a few bits and pieces from the Mercedes parts bin, but details such as the automatic gear selector buttons set into the top of the centre console are pure Aston Martin. It's also an Aston very decisively aimed at female buyers, with the car maker going as far as drawing on the expertise of a Female Advisory Board when it came to the cabin design and layout.
If you get your order in early enough, you'll be in line for one of the first 500 DBXs, which will come with a special '1913' package. This includes a unique front wing badge, sill plaques and an inspection plaque detailing its limited build-run, while each of these first examples will be personally endorsed and inspected by Andy Palmer, Aston's CEO. In addition, each customer will also receive a unique build-book signed by both Palmer and Chief Creative Officer Marek Reichman and an invitation to a regionally hosted Waldorf Astoria celebration cocktail party, hosted by a member of the Aston Martin Lagonda executive team.
A word from the boss
Dr Andy Palmer said: "DBX is a car that will give many people their first experience of Aston Martin ownership. As such it needed to be true to the core values established in our sports cars, while also providing the lifestyle versatility expected of a luxury SUV. To have produced such a beautiful, hand built, yet technologically advanced car is a proud moment for Aston Martin.
"I can't emphasise enough how incredibly exciting and significant DBX is for Aston Martin. Through its development alone, this beautiful SUV has already taken the company into new territories and in inspiring directions. DBX also marks a key moment in the delivery of the third and final phase of our Second Century Plan, not only representing the promised expansion of our portfolio but also signalling the start of production at Aston Martin's second manufacturing plant. We have both delivered this model through our expertise, but also by garnering invaluable experience and knowledge from external counsel, including our Female Advisory Board. This is a real landmark for this great British brand, and I promise that DBX will reward all who experience it in their everyday lives."
First deliveries will take place in the second half of 2020, and prices start from £158,000 in the UK, so expect one to cost well over €300,000 here.