Aston Martin DBX prototype | Driven
Discussion
NFC 85 Vette said:
Production is capped at 5000 units per year, and priority is being given to overseas markets initially, as they're expected to be more popular than the UK (China, USA, India etc). Benteyga unit production comes in between 5000-6000 per year AFAIK.
From the 1800 orders thus far since the unveiling late last year, most dealers would have 1 static and 1 dynamic demonstrator, the rest are customer orders - most dealers in the UK seem happy with the business it's doing already, and that's before anyone's driven a production version.
4.962 URUS delivered to customers in 2019, so looks like 5000 annually is the approx number to be on par with Lambo and Bentley....From the 1800 orders thus far since the unveiling late last year, most dealers would have 1 static and 1 dynamic demonstrator, the rest are customer orders - most dealers in the UK seem happy with the business it's doing already, and that's before anyone's driven a production version.
NGK210 said:
In terms of speed, will anyone choose a DBX over a Urus?
In terms of comfort, will anyone choose a DBX over a Bentayga?
Unless the DBX is much cheaper than the Urus and Bentayga, I fear Aston is about to launch the GT86 of SUVs - ie, being nimble but also relatively ‘slow’ will not suffice.
Is your only criteria for an SUV is how quick it is?In terms of comfort, will anyone choose a DBX over a Bentayga?
Unless the DBX is much cheaper than the Urus and Bentayga, I fear Aston is about to launch the GT86 of SUVs - ie, being nimble but also relatively ‘slow’ will not suffice.
Edited by NGK210 on Wednesday 15th January 12:20
Then why are people buying RR's, Cayenne's etc? Because people want choice. To some an Aston SUV will be all they want, as they `want` an Aston. Others will be repeat Porsche customers, so will stay loyal to the brand. Those with more money than taste, will buy the Urus.
There are many other reasons why people buy SUV. Being the quickest, or the most comfortable, won't be the No1 priority.
LucyP said:
The Jeep Trackhawk isn't a true competitor though. It isn't a luxury SUV, and they only made 20 available for sale in the UK last year. It's an ordinary SUV with a body-kit and a massive engine. It's a cartoon SUV. If Ford stuck a Mustang engine and a body-kit into a Kuga or an Edge, it wouldn't make them Cayenne or Macan competitors would it?
I thought it was 100? Although still not big numbers. But it's more than just the regular GC with a bigger motor; it's full leather and shiny carbonfibre, heated this, cooled that, monster Brembo brakes, radar braking and whizz-bang computer stuff. In truth I've never sat in a Bentley, Lambo or Alfa SUV so I can't say what it is makes them 'luxury'; I just don't know. I'm not really sure what they bring to the party other than a badge on the back. Not as if they've used unicorn leather hand-stitched on a virgin's thigh and mammoth tusk ivory for the hard shiny bits polished by dwarf artisans in caves north of the Arctic circle. I'm assuming their leather came off a cow too, and was stitched by a mortal on a sewing machine. I'm assuming the hard stuff is wood, carbinfibre or some form of plastic, and the carpets are, well, carpet. And maybe some alcontara here and there? It's a serious question that I don't know the answer to - what makes any of these SUVs 'luxury' and a TrackHawk not? ...apart from the badge.And using the Ford example, if they did indeed stick in a Mustang engine in a Kuga, put in a decent interior, made changes/updated the handling and suspension, stuck on brembos, and added every toy conceivable and made it quicker and at least dynamically equal to a Cayenne or Macan then why couldn't it be a competitor...apart from badge snobbery.
BigChiefmuffinAgain said:
Odd that they have ended up with a lower powered engine then Mercedes themselves use in their 4x4's.
You wonder if their engine supplier is "holding back" a bit ? Can't imagine it would be have been that much harder/expensive to put in a higher powered engine from the off. I know that in reality, the 0 to 60 time is irrelevant, but for many people who buy in this area ( not me ! ) bragging rights are important.
Seems a missed opportunity.
How many different versions of the Cayenne can you buy? Each with a different power output. Would it not be sensible to assume this will be the entry level car? Then an AMR version will no doubt follow, and probably a couple more over time.You wonder if their engine supplier is "holding back" a bit ? Can't imagine it would be have been that much harder/expensive to put in a higher powered engine from the off. I know that in reality, the 0 to 60 time is irrelevant, but for many people who buy in this area ( not me ! ) bragging rights are important.
Seems a missed opportunity.
Or should Aston only build one version and that's it?
LucyP said:
The Jeep Trackhawk .......It's an ordinary SUV with a body-kit and a massive engine
Only one bit of that is accurate......There's a lot more to the chassis and suspension and other bits than just a body kit (ps. there isn;t a body kit). So bonus point for noticing it has a massive engine
cirks said:
LucyP said:
The Jeep Trackhawk .......It's an ordinary SUV with a body-kit and a massive engine
Only one bit of that is accurate......There's a lot more to the chassis and suspension and other bits than just a body kit (ps. there isn;t a body kit). So bonus point for noticing it has a massive engine
cirks said:
NFC 85 Vette said:
The infotainment is an interesting one. Just recently there were complaints about Audi's new touch screen only system. The fact you had to look at what you were pressing because it's just a load of plastic / glass slabs, and the wish for a jog dial to still be present. Alas, DBX has just that, but apparently it's behind the times and should be a swathe of touch screens... they just cant win.
Exactly - I don't understand the fascination/need for touchscreen controls in cars. They require far more taking of eyes off road than mechanical controls ever have done. We've got an XC60 and the Trackhawk - I'd much rather have mechanical stuff in both as I know I have to look at their screens more than I have in any other car we've ownedNFC 85 Vette said:
.
The infotainment is an interesting one. Just recently there were complaints about Audi's new touch screen only system. The fact you had to look at what you were pressing because it's just a load of plastic / glass slabs, and the wish for a jog dial to still be present. Alas, DBX has just that, but apparently it's behind the times and should be a swathe of touch screens... they just cant win.
Each to their own, but IMO a touchscreen has no place in a car iutside of nav.The infotainment is an interesting one. Just recently there were complaints about Audi's new touch screen only system. The fact you had to look at what you were pressing because it's just a load of plastic / glass slabs, and the wish for a jog dial to still be present. Alas, DBX has just that, but apparently it's behind the times and should be a swathe of touch screens... they just cant win.
Volume should always be a rotary control. Skip / tune, source etc should be buttons.
Why the hell would yiu want to replace intuitive controls with ones you need to take eyes off the road for? For the "asthetics" of having an ipad slapped on the dash a la tesla / Porsche? Looks cack imo.
IMO Aston have picked the right thing for their target market.
cirks said:
Only one bit of that is accurate......
There's a lot more to the chassis and suspension and other bits than just a body kit (ps. there isn;t a body kit). So bonus point for noticing it has a massive engine
Yes there is a bodykit! Look at the front and rear bumpers and the sills of an ordinary Grand Cherokee and then look at the cartoon version. Those bumpers are and sills are a bodykit for sure. They probably slip over the original in parts like they used to on a Capri in the 1980s. Probably left over from a Fiat X/19 or some other old FCA crap that will now be in the skip, since the PSA takeover!There's a lot more to the chassis and suspension and other bits than just a body kit (ps. there isn;t a body kit). So bonus point for noticing it has a massive engine
Blackpuddin said:
The trouble with the homogenous styling of SUVs is that they really dilute a brand's image. From even not that far away this could be a Qashqai.
Or even a Juke 
Looks aside, the price tag will decide if it will sink or swim. No hybrid model is a big mistake.
It will be interesting seeing what Ferrari's SUV will be like...
LucyP said:
Yes there is a bodykit! Look at the front and rear bumpers and the sills of an ordinary Grand Cherokee and then look at the cartoon version. Those bumpers are and sills are a bodykit for sure. They probably slip over the original in parts like they used to on a Capri in the 1980s. Probably left over from a Fiat X/19 or some other old FCA crap that will now be in the skip, since the PSA takeover!
Silly me.....I should have known. Just walked outside and all the extra stick on bits of body on mine just fell off as they're all stuck on cartoon bits.....
MDL111 said:
I love that Trackhawk and wanted to buy an STR, but comparing it to an Aston is like comparing a LWB 7-series to a Phantom - they just don't play in the same market
I wasn't comparing them other than on a performance basis and pointing out that it's not a standard GC with a big engine and body kit!
tvrolet said:
LucyP said:
The Jeep Trackhawk isn't a true competitor though. It isn't a luxury SUV, and they only made 20 available for sale in the UK last year. It's an ordinary SUV with a body-kit and a massive engine. It's a cartoon SUV. If Ford stuck a Mustang engine and a body-kit into a Kuga or an Edge, it wouldn't make them Cayenne or Macan competitors would it?
I thought it was 100? Although still not big numbers. But it's more than just the regular GC with a bigger motor; it's full leather and shiny carbonfibre, heated this, cooled that, monster Brembo brakes, radar braking and whizz-bang computer stuff. In truth I've never sat in a Bentley, Lambo or Alfa SUV so I can't say what it is makes them 'luxury'; I just don't know. I'm not really sure what they bring to the party other than a badge on the back. Not as if they've used unicorn leather hand-stitched on a virgin's thigh and mammoth tusk ivory for the hard shiny bits polished by dwarf artisans in caves north of the Arctic circle. I'm assuming their leather came off a cow too, and was stitched by a mortal on a sewing machine. I'm assuming the hard stuff is wood, carbinfibre or some form of plastic, and the carpets are, well, carpet. And maybe some alcontara here and there? It's a serious question that I don't know the answer to - what makes any of these SUVs 'luxury' and a TrackHawk not? ...apart from the badge.And using the Ford example, if they did indeed stick in a Mustang engine in a Kuga, put in a decent interior, made changes/updated the handling and suspension, stuck on brembos, and added every toy conceivable and made it quicker and at least dynamically equal to a Cayenne or Macan then why couldn't it be a competitor...apart from badge snobbery.
The difference between the interiors is night and day.
The Bentley is a wonderful place to sit the seats are large and thick and supportive (I actually think they're more comfortable than any I have at home) whilst also being made of beautiful expensive real leather.
The switchgear is mostly metal, feels solid and upmarket.
Everywhere you can put your hands you can feel leather rather than plastic as soon as you're outside of the eye line.
The carpets are super thick...they just feel yummy no matter what shoes you are or aren't wearing.
Add to that the near silent V8 and the very well set up air suspension and you have exactly what I wanted: the polar opposite to the Ferrari I was coming out of that used to leave me needing regular massages.
It really is a fabulous place to sit and drive in. The only criticism I suppose is that it's a little chintzy.
After I'd owned it for 6 months I had gotten so used to its cosseting nature that I wondered if it was actually a total waste of money and a little dull per £. A friend was test driving a brand new diesel X5 so I went along with him. The BMW felt like a transit van and made me appreciate my car massively.
As for the Aston, I desperately want them to succeed. Would I buy one over another Bentley? Gotta be a no, sadly.
I think it's a decent looking car, and if we're comparing it to the offerings from Bentley, Rolls and Lambo....it's the best looking of that bunch (for me).
Having seen one in the flesh and having sat in one, it's a nice car and pretty spacious. Obviously it's highly unlikely I'll ever be able to afford one but I did like it.
I had a Peugeot as a hire car last week and that was all touchscreen. Personally I'm not a fan and like a few buttons to press but that's personal preference. I mean, why do I have to go into a menu, just to raise the temperature by half a degree?
As a total aside, the Peugeot system is crap and be super laggy, when you start the car.
Having seen one in the flesh and having sat in one, it's a nice car and pretty spacious. Obviously it's highly unlikely I'll ever be able to afford one but I did like it.
I had a Peugeot as a hire car last week and that was all touchscreen. Personally I'm not a fan and like a few buttons to press but that's personal preference. I mean, why do I have to go into a menu, just to raise the temperature by half a degree?
As a total aside, the Peugeot system is crap and be super laggy, when you start the car.
Taaaaang said:
a lot about differences in interiors....
Can't disagree with you about there being a big difference between some interiors of vehicles whether a perceived 'high quality' vehicle like the BMW and the true quality Bentley. However, what I think Tvrolet and I are both saying is that stepping into the Trackhawk is not like stepping into what most people associate with a Jeep! Vast majority of the interior is better or as good as my FFRR I had previously and a big step up from a lot of cars I've owned or travelled in. Then again, a lot obviously comes down to what any of us want from a vehicle and what it's "worth". For the vast majority of what anyone uses their cars for, no one 'needs' to spend £160K on a car. If you want good leather, fully electric adjustable bolsters, seat base, massage seats, heated seat, cooled seat then our XC60 does all of that. It's of course not as quick as the Trackhawk or a DBX but for just about every journey we or anyone else would do, it doesn't need to be.
The DBX will sell easily and I wish AM all the best with it as I like their sports cars (despite the Vantage I specced and had deposit on when they were released 10+ years ago doing absolutely nothing for me!) but is it or anything else of similar nature 'worth' £160K cost price or £80K more (for the very expensive cows, wool, aluminimum) than something of equivalent performance? Simple answer is "no". However, Trackhawk is also probably not 'worth' what I paid for it.
Glad all these cars exist and we have the ability to choose what all of us want from a car and how much we're willing to pay for one. If we only wanted something that will do the majority of our journeys comfortably, at reasonable speed in a decent interior, we'd all buy the same car and that would be a .........
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