Aston Martin DBX. Designed for an unforgettable travel
Aston Martin DBX is a premium crossover, which has been produced since 2019 by the British company Aston Martin. You could buy the first generation of this luxury crossover in Israel in 2020.
The new DBX is a super SUV! First all-wheel drive Aston Martin! The first Aston Martin SUV. The first truly serious alternative to supercrossovers likes the Lamborghini Urus and the Bentley Bentayga, with a balance of luxury and sportiness between them. It is ready to compete with both the Porsche Cayenne Turbo and the Rolls-Royce Cullinan.
First generation
It was first released at the end of 2019 and went on sale in 2020. The first-ever DBX SUV has its own platform, partially unified with the DB11 and DBS sports cars. A key feature of the platform is the engine shifted to the wheelbase, so the DBX has an impressive distance between the axles (3060 mm) and short overhangs. The weight distribution of the Aston Martin is close to ideal: 54/46 in favor of the front axle.
The British crossover is equipped with a suspension with adaptive dampers, three-chamber air bellows, and active stabilizers. The actuators in them are powered by a separate 48-volt electrical system. As the developers promise, the DBX rolls even less in corners than the brand’s supercars with passive suspension. The ride height adjustment range is from 140 to 235 mm. Front brakes are installed with six-piston mechanisms and discs with a diameter of 410 mm, there are simple floating calipers and 390 mm discs on the rear axle.
Appearance and salon
The crossover looks no larger than the Porsche Macan, while its actual dimensions are larger (longer and wider) than, for example, the Range Rover. The car has an athletic look and a striking sporty appearance. Standard wheels are 22 inches in diameter. The exterior body panels of the new Aston Martin DBX are made of aluminum and composite materials. The crossover has recessed door handles and frameless doors. Particular attention is paid to aerodynamics. The body has a minimum of protruding elements and there is no rear wiper, and the glass is cleaned by a stream of air ‘falling’ from the roof. A feature of the designers is the seals hidden under the edge of the doors, with which the joint of the door panel and glass looks ‘clean’, as well as glass lining on the pillars of the body, due to which the visual effect of a single area of the side glazing is created.
Inside, the 2020 Aston Martin DBX is truly comfortable and spacious. The wheelbase of over three meters, combined with the slim front seatbacks derived from the DB11 seats, provide rear passengers with plenty of legroom. In addition, the panoramic roof that runs at the base creates enough light and a sense of spaciousness in the second row, although it is set relatively low for the squat silhouette. The DBX has a full five-seater salon with a spacious rear row. Leather trim is standard (you can order an expensive 80% wool fabric), three-zone climate control, heated all seats, and a panoramic roof. The materials are top-notch and create an aura of luxury. The interior has excellent protection against noise, vibration, and hard shocks. This relaxing atmosphere is perfect for a long trip.
The virtual assistants are on a 12.3-inch screen. Almost all on-board electronics are the latest generation Mercedes gadgets, including a media complex with a 10.25-inch screen, a touchscreen control panel on the central tunnel, and active safety systems. For example, the automatic braking assistant has not been seen before on Aston Martins. A full-fledged trunk holds 632 liters. There is Apple CarPlay, plenty of storage space in the door pockets and under the ‘floating’ center console. This makes the car practical.
Engines and dynamics
Off-road Aston Martin has been developed with wide use of components and assemblies of the Daimler concern. It has a 4-liter AMG V8 biturbo engine. It is used for the Vantage and DB11 models, but the engine is tuned to deliver 550 hp. and 700 Nm for the crossover. The nine-speed automatic transmission with a classic torque converter and a transfer case with a front axle clutch is of Daimler origin. They are almost the same as those of the Mercedes GLE crossover. At the same time, the DBX crossover with a curb weight of 2245 kg can accelerate to 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds, and the maximum speed is limited at around 291 km/h.
This is the first all-wheel drive Aston Martin in history, so the traditional ‘transaxle’ layout for sports cars with a gearbox assigned to the rear axle is not suitable for it, which is why the entire power unit is supplied from Daimler factories. However, Aston Martin has its drive shafts and cross-axle differentials, and the rear differential is electronically controlled. Subsequently, the manufacturer promises to expand the range of engines. A hybrid will appear for sure, and a version with a V12 bi-turbo engine is also being considered, which is installed on the DB11 and DBS models.
