Slithering by means of the muck on the off-road driving course for the Gleneagles resort in Dunblane, Scotland, the 2025 Aston Martin DBX707 utilized simply the correct amount of its 697 horsepower and 664 lb.-ft. of torque by means of its computer-controlled all-wheel drive system to confidently traverse the hilly fields and slippery stream crossings.
Aston’s SUV might be greatest recognized for its spectacular on-road efficiency and dealing with, however we headed into the hills to expertise its acumen for delivering passengers to messier locales. Switching to the off-road drive mode, the DBX’s response to the appropriate pedal slows, making it simpler for the motive force to maintain a gradual throttle whereas the automobile churns its 4 Pirelli Scorpion Zero low-profile 23-inch tires by means of the mess with unbelievable grip for such racy wanting rubber.
Aston Martin’s identify usually evokes its superb sports activities automobiles with their Le Mans-winning heritage and an uncanny capacity to get fictional British spies out of tight conditions. However, the model’s overriding theme is one among unique luxurious. That’s why the corporate has diversified into actual property, with Aston Martin Residences, luxurious condominiums in Miami. Aston’s head designer, Marek Reichman, participated of their design and their facilities embody butler providers and entry to luxurious boat leases, VIP occasions, and seaside experiences.
So whereas the corporate’s transfer into the SUV area with the DBX is a departure from its sports activities automobiles, it’s protecting nearer to house than condos, and is solidly throughout the luxurious realm. Think about that these clients are those who’re more likely to wish to tow a horse trailer, which the DBX can do because of its accessible hitch. Or that they’re more likely to have to churn by means of muddy pastures to spectate at equestrian occasions utilizing the DBX’s accessible Occasion Seating package deal of a sliding rear-facing seat that shops within the cargo space for snug tailgate seating.
These are the varieties of shoppers who may traverse equally muddy fields for some fowl searching with their unique Boss & Co. shotguns and who wish to make these excursions in Aston Martin type. The DBX707 delivers on all counts, making itself proper at house on Vary Rover’s turf, with fellow new arrivals, the Rolls-Royce Cullinan and Bentley Bentayga.
Switch of energy
When the DBX debuted in 2019, it was with the unique base model, which was powered by a 542-hp V8. The corporate later launched the DBX707, and with this refreshed version, the twin-turbocharged $249,000 DBX707 is now the one model accessible, befitting its place towards the rarefied rivals talked about above. The DBX, Aston factors out, is the one machine on this class that doesn’t share its underpinnings with another fashions.
On this refreshed model, these underpinnings embody a brand new 9-speed transmission that makes use of a computer-controlled moist clutch pack rather than the earlier torque converter. This contributes to the brand new mannequin’s 3.1-second 0-60 mph acceleration, in accordance with chief engineer Andy Tokley. “The true large enchancment for us was the moist clutch aiding the acceleration efficiency of the automobile,” he says. “In a moist clutch, not like in a torque converter, you’re in a position to maintain it totally open, maintain the RPM as much as construct inertia and likewise begin to construct torque and enhance. If you shut that moist clutch, it provides you a really, very dramatic pull-away within the automobile.”
Importantly, throughout low-speed driving–by means of parking numerous moist Scottish fields–the pc’s management of that clutch was excellent, with no lurching or different annoyances that generally come up when there is no such thing as a hydraulic torque converter offering the connection between the engine and the transmission.
Tokley’s engineering group additionally re-tuned the DBX’s already-excellent suspension, offering even higher on-road and off-road trip and dealing with. The air suspension system selects from 4 completely different spring charges, relying on the situations and the drive mode the motive force chooses.
The pc-controlled dampers are individually adjustable for each compression and rebound management for optimum response to highway situations. On the identical time, an lively roll management system each holds the DBX flat whereas carving curves on tarmac whereas additionally releasing the person wheels to allow extra off-road articulation to comply with the terrain.
Contained in the DBX
The DBX additionally advantages from a refreshed inside, with an all-new in-house infotainment system changing the earlier out of date Mercedes-sourced system. Aston has modified to a toggle shifter on the middle console rather than the dash-mounted push-buttons used beforehand. Push-buttons have a excessive cool issue, however they require the motive force’s consideration to find and press them in a method that the toggle shifter doesn’t, so it is a main enchancment.
The show for the infotainment is a Pure Black panel that gives stunning graphics. However the true magnificence within the Supernova Purple DBX707’s cabin is the comprehensively coloured upholstery is deeply crimson, with superb shade on each floor. That is in distinction to the frequent observe of providing inside colours which are solely utilized to the seats or perhaps to the sprint pad, whereas leaving all the pieces else a dismal black.
Not so within the DBX. There’s crimson carpet, crimson headliner, crimson dashboard and crimson door panels. That is partially due to the corporate’s use of leather-based to trim its cabins, studies Alex Lengthy, Aston’s director of product and market technique. “There are not any plastics or substitute leather-based within the automobile,” he says. “Even the parcel shelf, the trimming on the C-pillar, and proper by means of the cabin is all achieved in that actually wealthy crimson shade and will be matched to the seats and the dashboard and even the headliner within the automobile.”
This sort of thoroughness and authenticity is indicative of the identical consideration to element that has gone into the DBX707’s powertrain and suspension. Which is why this British luxurious model is making credible inroads to new segments past its sports activities automobile roots.
