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Introducing Aston Martin DBX707: The World’s Most Powerful Luxury SUV
Aston Martin shocked the world when they announced the launch of a luxury SUV, the DBX. It was a step in the right direction commercially, logically, and in the eye of the consumer, but it left petrolheads a little unsure. The brand always posed itself as more of a ‘zagger’ in the industry, its actions, at least, certainly proved the point.
They held onto the V12 engine longer than most, ceased to use turbochargers unless completely necessary and chose gorgeous design above all else while remaining British at heart. And for all these factors, every single Aston Martin was must-have poster material, add in a little James Bond effect, a few appearances on BBC Top Gear and everyone wanted one.
Would it be the same story with a luxury SUV from Aston Martin? The answer was a resounding yes.
Built on a completely bespoke platform that offers unbelievable competence and poise at all four corners, the luxury SUV has been a sales magnet in the market. Aston Martin sold 6,182 cars last year, up by almost 82 per cent. Looking at DBX alone between January and September last year, the brand delivered as many as 2,186 units of DBX SUV to customers worldwide. It wouldn’t be wild to say that this SUV saved Aston Martin (much like the Cayenne saved Porsche), and that’s all petrolheads want to hear.
What they also want to hear, is that Aston Martin is cranking up the power with the announcement of the brand new DBX707, and yep, it’s got 707PS and 900Nm of torque.
Aston Martin DBX707 Specifications
| Engine | 4.0-litre Mercedes-AMG twin-turbocharged V8 |
|---|---|
| Power | 520kW (707 PS) |
| Torque | 900Nm |
| Acceleration (0-100km/h) | 3.3-second |
| Top Speed | 193mph (claimed) |
Image: Aston Martin
What’s Changed on the Aston Martin DBX707?
The logical next step in the DBX’s lifestyle was adding a few extra ponies to the competent, Mercedes-AMG sourced 4.0-litre Twin-Turbo V8 powerplant. These engines make power like it’s going out of style (maybe it is) but the DBX does so much more than chase numbers with power, here, it’s all about delivery.
While it’s always been an outstanding piece of machinery from a handling perspective, thanks to triple volume air suspension chambers, the DBX707 features a dedicated chassis tune in this iteration. Most notably, a new wet-clutch 9-speed automatic has been introduced to handle the torque of the engine with quicker shifts, smooth actuation, and a greater sense of control that allows you to steer the mothership with ease. The introduction of Carbon Ceramic Brakes as standard is completely necessary (420mm front, 390mm rear) and gripped by 6-piston callipers with a resulting 40.5kg reduction in unsprung weight.
“We have truly unlocked the performance potential within the DBX to create a world-beating high-performance SUV. The gains we have found in both power and torque demonstrates not only the inherent prowess of the 4.0-litre Biturbo V8, but Aston Martin’s appetite and ability for finding uncompromising engineering solutions. The combination of this magnificent engine with a new 9-speed ‘wet-clutch’ transmission sits at the heart of DBX707’s formidable capabilities and unforgettable character,” said Aston Martin’s Head of Powertrain, Ralph Illenberger.
Putting the power to the tarmac is a set of 22-inch wheels as standard, with an optional 23-inch alloy wheel offered. The adoption of a larger 23-inch wheel brings dynamic benefits, with improved steering response and better primary body control.
Aston Martin DBX has always shocked drivers with how well they manage the mid-corner thanks to the trick e-differential, and the rear limited-slip unit remains, revised to handle the 900nm of torque on offer and features a new shorter final drive ratio for corner exit response. Combine this with new damper valving and recalibration of dynamic spring volume switching to further improve body control and you have a seriously capable 2,245 kg vehicle.
Image: Aston Martin
Not Bad in the Looks Department Either
Thankfully, the brand hasn’t gone ahead a butchered the gorgeous design language with carbon fibre either.
“The key to DBX707’s design DNA is capturing the confidence that comes from its dynamic supremacy. When you are the alpha SUV you don’t have to try too hard, therefore, we concentrated on those areas of the design that would make the DBX707 instantly recognisable as the highest performing model,” said Aston Martin’s Chief Creative Officer, Marek Reichman.
On the exterior, you’ll find a larger front grille and all-new design of DRL complete with new air intakes and brake cooling ducts, plus a new front splitter profile. Dark satin chrome window surrounds, new louvred bonnet blades, and a front grille and gloss black splitter add a menacing touch. The gloss black side sills are reworked for a deeper and more heavily sculpted profile to give the DBX707 a lower stance. At the rear, a new lip spoiler has been added to the roof wing to reduce lift and increase high-speed stability, with a significantly enlarged twin rear diffuser rising to meet the new large diameter quad exhaust system.
Three main interior treatments are available, with the Aston Martin Q division providing optional bespoke service for the ultimate in personalisation. There are three choices include;
- Standard-fit Accelerate, which features a mix of leather and Alcantara
- Comfort
- Inspire Sport, which features full Semi-Aniline leather complete with embroidered Aston Martin wings on the headrest, a contrast stripe down the centre of the seat and a perforation pattern in the seat back and base cushion.
Sports seats are suitably standard, with comfort seats remaining a no-cost option. All seats are 16-way adjustable with heating in front and rear as standard.
Making a big deal out of physical buttons sounds so 2022, but the revised lower console on the DBX contains new drive mode selection switches, so here we are. These include dedicated buttons for suspension mode, ESP, manual gear selection mode – which now holds manual like a sports car, rather than defaulting back to auto – and active exhaust switch, which opens the valves of new quad tailpipe sports exhaust system without needing to be in Sport drive mode.
Image: Aston Martin
A Smash Hit?
We expect the Aston Marting DBX707 to be a big sales winner when it arrives in Q2 2022. The brand has completely reworked the powertrain to offer a special vehicle that outperforms everything in its class on paper. We’ll have to see how this translates to the real world against vehicles such as the Porsche Cayenne GT Turbo, but we expect the car to be properly rapid regardless. The DBX is the flagship model in the Aston Martin range and by far its biggest seller, we eagerly await to see how the model progresses into the future, maybe a long-wheelbase variant is in its future? We’ll have to wait and see.
Image: Aston Martin
Image: Aston Martin
Image: Aston Martin
Image: Aston Martin
Image: Aston Martin
Image: Aston Martin
Image: Aston Martin
Image: Aston Martin
Image: Aston Martin
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Ben McKimm
Ben lives in Sydney, Australia. He has a Bachelor's Degree (Media, Technology and the Law) from Macquarie University (2020). Outside of his studies, he has spent the last decade heavily involved in the automotive, technology and fashion world. Turning his passion and expertise into a Journalist position at Man of Many where he continues to write about everything that interests the modern man. Conducting car reviews on both the road and track, hands-on reviews of cutting-edge technology and employing a vast knowledge in the space of fashion and sneakers to his work. One day he hopes to own his own brand.
