Aston Martin DBX - my journey
Discussion
nathwraith1 said:
I'm not into VAG cars at all, so the usual competition summarised by me;
- Urus: Usual type owners (showy lambo, celeb, tasteless etc), rebodied Audi, not for me
- Bentayga: more luxury than sport
- Cayenne: Nice blend of lux & sport but again VAG and I'm not into porsches
- Mercedes options: G wagon, similar to Urus but a worse road car, the other AMGs just don't handle like the DBX
- BMW: Not into BMWs, although I've heard good things about the X3M comp
I looked at an E63S estate but it felt just more of the same with having the C63 prior. I'm not fan of it's looks either. I'm not an SUV guy, this is my first and have to say the DBX won me over fairly quickly.
Nice write up. I had a good nose around the inside of these at the Park Lane launch event. They are as you say lovely inside and spacious too - most photos don’t show how long they are IRL (your track pic against the armco does though). - Urus: Usual type owners (showy lambo, celeb, tasteless etc), rebodied Audi, not for me
- Bentayga: more luxury than sport
- Cayenne: Nice blend of lux & sport but again VAG and I'm not into porsches
- Mercedes options: G wagon, similar to Urus but a worse road car, the other AMGs just don't handle like the DBX
- BMW: Not into BMWs, although I've heard good things about the X3M comp
I looked at an E63S estate but it felt just more of the same with having the C63 prior. I'm not fan of it's looks either. I'm not an SUV guy, this is my first and have to say the DBX won me over fairly quickly.
One car conspicuously absent from your shortlist above is a V8 petrol full fat Range Rover. Not sporty enough behind the wheel?
Saw one for the first time last week on way to North Wales. Even my wife, who is not into cars, was impressed. We nearly bought a Jaguar F pace a few months ago, and maybe the look from the rear is similar although the Aston certainly has more road presence. Unfortunately it will have to remain in my dreams for now. Respect to OP to taking it to Oulton Park.
Ooopps apologies if I cut you up! Chester is very local to me so you’ll see me a lot around there.
RE Daytona, that was a gift over 10 years ago so I promise you it’s not a flex.
Yes the NSX has got the Science of Speed gloss carbon deck lid spoiler. Mine sadly did not have the factory carbon spoiler which bizarrely is matte carbon, despite the car having a gloss carbon roof.
Yes the DBX is deceptively large. It doesn’t feel it when driving casually or spiritedly but it is a smidge over 5m long.
In response to the “why not a V8 FFRR”. Never liked the look of those cars and tbh with the amount that get stolen, I’d rather not risk it. I know that sounds stupid with an even more expensive car but they are a target. Also yes not sporty enough a drive for me.
RE Daytona, that was a gift over 10 years ago so I promise you it’s not a flex.
Yes the NSX has got the Science of Speed gloss carbon deck lid spoiler. Mine sadly did not have the factory carbon spoiler which bizarrely is matte carbon, despite the car having a gloss carbon roof.
Yes the DBX is deceptively large. It doesn’t feel it when driving casually or spiritedly but it is a smidge over 5m long.
In response to the “why not a V8 FFRR”. Never liked the look of those cars and tbh with the amount that get stolen, I’d rather not risk it. I know that sounds stupid with an even more expensive car but they are a target. Also yes not sporty enough a drive for me.
Brett748 said:
How did it feel on Oulton Park? Did it drive like an SUV or is it sporty?
Lovely way to travel around. One car that does it all I guess. You should take it green leaning next!
Genuinely felt great! You do notice the weight under braking simply because of the forward momentum. Under power though, it does not lack. Sure it “could” be sharper but it’s more capable than most people are which says it all really. Probably more capable than me. Lovely way to travel around. One car that does it all I guess. You should take it green leaning next!
Within 10mph of my top speed down the pit straight at Oulton vs my NSX (126mph speedo)if that’s an obscure enough of a thing to go off!
I’d love to take it on again now I’m much better acquainted with it, but honestly I’d rather take the NSX round (which I often do!). Although looking at NSX values, I’m tempted to keep its usage low and maybe get something else Aston shaped for some sophisticated track work.
Honestly I’d love to take it off road. I did an off road course on an Aston DBX event and it did admirably. However I think I’d be laughed out of any green leaning clubs. No more than a track day I guess but at least I have skin in the game there!
Edited by nathwraith1 on Thursday 28th April 22:44
Great intro post and I enjoyed the video. It was quite relaxing and I grew into the sound of the V8 too, so the extra ££££ on the exhaust system was worthwhile. I noticed that you seemed to grow into the track from about 3:20, were you taking it intentionally easy and just enjoying the dynamics of the car? To be clear, I'm not being judgmental or criticising, but notice that you were too aggressive hammering the throttle out of bends.
What are the displays on the centre console and also the yellow light on the dash?
Finally, do you have a thread running on the NSX? I'd be keen to know more, particularly the four wheel steering.
What are the displays on the centre console and also the yellow light on the dash?
Finally, do you have a thread running on the NSX? I'd be keen to know more, particularly the four wheel steering.
That's a good point about the ducktail. I thought that I spotted a red one on the M25 but it was actually a red Mazda suv thing (handsome though).
There's one DBX that I know of in a bespoke matte black with black badges and to me, that's the colour that suits them best, it looks fantastic.
There's one DBX that I know of in a bespoke matte black with black badges and to me, that's the colour that suits them best, it looks fantastic.
bolidemichael said:
Great intro post and I enjoyed the video. It was quite relaxing and I grew into the sound of the V8 too, so the extra ££££ on the exhaust system was worthwhile. I noticed that you seemed to grow into the track from about 3:20, were you taking it intentionally easy and just enjoying the dynamics of the car? To be clear, I'm not being judgmental or criticising, but notice that you were too aggressive hammering the throttle out of bends.
What are the displays on the centre console and also the yellow light on the dash?
Finally, do you have a thread running on the NSX? I'd be keen to know more, particularly the four wheel steering.
I’ve not made a thread on the NSX(yet) but I willWhat are the displays on the centre console and also the yellow light on the dash?
Finally, do you have a thread running on the NSX? I'd be keen to know more, particularly the four wheel steering.
As I’ve owned that car for nearly 3 years now. If you follow the DBX video on YouTube you’ll see many NSX track videos.
The DBX inspires a lot of confidence out of corners, the 4wd helps with that immensely. I left it it “individual mode” but with everything turned to sport+ mainly because if you select sport+ it turns off the traction control. Which or ally wouldn’t be an issue but at the times I’d only had the car a few weeks and the track was wet, so played it safe. So the yellow flashing is the traction braking the inside wheels “torque vectoring style”. Works well but after more time in the car, its far more engaging with traction off. The main nav screen is showing HP & lb/ft torque but mainly there to show engine oil temp.
The annoying thing I always find with track days days is that by the time you really get into it and smooth, the camera batteries are depleted! So you get plenty of footage of the early morning; wetter, more careful sessions but none of the maximum attack ones!
Yes the rear is not great from directly behind but at an angle, that ducktail really makes the difference. Not full BMW X6 “saloon on stilts” but curvaceous “big” hatch to my eyes.
Edited by nathwraith1 on Thursday 28th April 23:52
nathwraith1 said:
I’ve not made a thread on the NSX(yet) but I will
As I’ve owned that car for nearly 3 years now. If you follow the DBX video on YouTube you’ll see many NSX track videos.
The DBX inspires a lot of confidence out of corners, the 4wd helps with that immensely. I left it it “individual mode” but with everything turned to sport+ mainly because if you select sport+ it turns off the traction control. Which or ally wouldn’t be an issue but at the times I’d only had the car a few weeks and the track was wet, so played it safe. So the yellow flashing is the traction braking the inside wheels “torque vectoring style”. Works well but after more time in the car, its far more engaging with traction off. The main nav screen is showing HP & lb/ft torque but mainly there to show engine oil temp.
The annoying thing I always find with track days days is that by the time you really get into it and smooth, the camera batteries are depleted! So you get plenty of footage of the early morning; wetter, more careful sessions but none of the maximum attack ones!
Yes the rear is not great from directly behind but at an angle, that ducktail really makes the difference. Not full BMW X6 “saloon on stilts” but curvaceous “big” hatch to my eyes.
Quick Q on practicality rather than performance. I remember peering into the back of a DBX and thinking that the floorspace of the boot is huge. Have you tried loading up the back though, and if so how much of a limiter is the rake of the rear windscreen when it comes to really packing stuff in there?As I’ve owned that car for nearly 3 years now. If you follow the DBX video on YouTube you’ll see many NSX track videos.
The DBX inspires a lot of confidence out of corners, the 4wd helps with that immensely. I left it it “individual mode” but with everything turned to sport+ mainly because if you select sport+ it turns off the traction control. Which or ally wouldn’t be an issue but at the times I’d only had the car a few weeks and the track was wet, so played it safe. So the yellow flashing is the traction braking the inside wheels “torque vectoring style”. Works well but after more time in the car, its far more engaging with traction off. The main nav screen is showing HP & lb/ft torque but mainly there to show engine oil temp.
The annoying thing I always find with track days days is that by the time you really get into it and smooth, the camera batteries are depleted! So you get plenty of footage of the early morning; wetter, more careful sessions but none of the maximum attack ones!
Yes the rear is not great from directly behind but at an angle, that ducktail really makes the difference. Not full BMW X6 “saloon on stilts” but curvaceous “big” hatch to my eyes.
Edited by nathwraith1 on Thursday 28th April 23:52
BlackWidow13 said:
Quick Q on practicality rather than performance. I remember peering into the back of a DBX and thinking that the floorspace of the boot is huge. Have you tried loading up the back though, and if so how much of a limiter is the rake of the rear windscreen when it comes to really packing stuff in there?
Boot space is incredible. There is space under the floor for a space saver wheel(optional extra) which is handy. If you take the space saver out of the stupid styrofoam thing you can fit spare oil, coolant and more tools down there too.I’ve run the car without the parcel shelf(actually two pieces) because I’ve used the car for tip runs. A unexpected benefit is that without the parcel shelf in, the exhaust sound is much more noticeable in the cabin. So it’s not made it’s way back into the car.
We’ve done a trip with 4 adults in with luggage for a long weekend no issue. The boot does slope more unlike a Range/Defender etc so do keep that in mind.
Whilst I’m talking about the rear of the car. The rear windscreen doesn’t have a wiper and despite the Aston engineers talking about how it wasn’t required etc, I have to say I was still sceptical at first. Anyway after months of ownership I can safety say a dirty rear window is a non issue. The engineers were right!
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