DBX Media Launch and First Deliveries
Discussion
I am not an SUV person myself. But fully support Aston in seeing the need to produce the DBX. I am still not a fan of new Vantage but see it as another complimentary element in Astons future requirement. But for some reason today I had that feel-good feeling that Aston it seems has pulled it out of the bag here and some positive news from reviewers for all those involved at the factory.
I really hope this provides some financial respite for Aston and Andy Palmers detractors should give him some credit for this.
I really hope this provides some financial respite for Aston and Andy Palmers detractors should give him some credit for this.
Jon39 said:
The DBX looks like a winner. If we forget all his other blunders, AP should be remembered for this.
It appears that all the attributes which buyers want for this type of luxury vehicle are present, but with an extra appeal to capture even more customers, the sports car like handling and performance. The electrically controlled anti-roll bar is a great innovation, to minimise roll for a high centre of gravity vehicle.
There is one surprising point though, which will not be of the slightest concern to luxury SUV buyers.
The DBX (and its competitors) have the appearance of being massive two ton vehicles, particularly when overhanging parking spaces.
Fold down the rear seats and measure the luggage space.
Capacity;
1,530 litres = Aston Martin DBX.
1,630 litres = Vauxhall Astra Sport Tourer (estate).
Is that due to the height of SUV boot floors?
(Not sure if you are quoting seats up or down capacity)
oilit said:
If you look at the Harry review, I would suggest it's due to the rear seats having decent legroom - longtime downside of the LR/RR product line (at least all the RR I used to own) - you needed to be a contortionist to get into the back. Harry makes a great point about the wheel arch not intruding into the access so much and the legroom when in there being comfortable.
(Not sure if you are quoting seats up or down capacity)
(Not sure if you are quoting seats up or down capacity)
Figures are seats down (I did say).
I purposely picked a modest size car for the contrast.
Expect the DBX generous rear legroom was dictated, by the insistence on that feature in their target market, China.
If luggage capacity is a more important buying motive (UK) than perceived image, traditional estate cars still offer a practical solution, as shown by greater carrying capacity. Still see a lot of estates around.
I see the practice of motor manufacturers to gradually increase the size of their models, is still popular.
Present VW Polo, now bigger than the original VW Golf.
The example which I selected, Vauxhall Astra estate, has now grown larger than its one time bigger brother, the Cavalier !
Jon39 said:
There is one surprising point though, which will not be of the slightest concern to luxury SUV buyers.
The DBX (and its competitors) have the appearance of being massive two ton vehicles, particularly when overhanging parking spaces.
Fold down the rear seats and measure the luggage space.
Capacity;
1,530 litres = Aston Martin DBX.
1,630 litres = Vauxhall Astra Sport Tourer (estate).
Is that due to the height of SUV boot floors?
The DBX has a sharply raked tailgate. Good for its sporting appearance but bad for outright storage space.
In contrast, the Astra Sport Tourer has a more traditional estate car tailgate with a near upright tailgate. Therefore, giving you a lot more luggage space - so long as you stack your luggage up high.
A more representative example maybe this…
1,710 litres: Porsche Cayenne
1,540 litres: Porsche Cayenne Coupe
An identical footprint or floorspace, but 170 litres difference due to the lower coupe profile and headroom.
The larger SUV will have a greater capacity for regular, day-to-day loads kept below the window line compared to a smaller estate car. You really have to fill out the rear of an estate car to its roof to utilise the extra luggage space.
Obviously, any hybrid battery packs located in the vehicle’s boot will also further reduce the load capacity.
ArgieBargy said:
Rather than looking down at boot floors, I think you should be looking up. The answer is quite simply explained by looking at the shape of the vehicle tailgates.
The DBX has a sharply raked tailgate. Good for its sporting appearance but bad for outright storage space.
In contrast, the Astra Sport Tourer has a more traditional estate car tailgate with a near upright tailgate. Therefore, giving you a lot more luggage space - so long as you stack your luggage up high.
A more representative example maybe this…
1,710 litres: Porsche Cayenne
1,540 litres: Porsche Cayenne Coupe
An identical footprint or floorspace, but 170 litres difference due to the lower coupe profile and headroom.
The larger SUV will have a greater capacity for regular, day-to-day loads kept below the window line compared to a smaller estate car. You really have to fill out the rear of an estate car to its roof to utilise the extra luggage space.
Obviously, any hybrid battery packs located in the vehicle’s boot will also further reduce the load capacity.
Another difference:The DBX has a sharply raked tailgate. Good for its sporting appearance but bad for outright storage space.
In contrast, the Astra Sport Tourer has a more traditional estate car tailgate with a near upright tailgate. Therefore, giving you a lot more luggage space - so long as you stack your luggage up high.
A more representative example maybe this…
1,710 litres: Porsche Cayenne
1,540 litres: Porsche Cayenne Coupe
An identical footprint or floorspace, but 170 litres difference due to the lower coupe profile and headroom.
The larger SUV will have a greater capacity for regular, day-to-day loads kept below the window line compared to a smaller estate car. You really have to fill out the rear of an estate car to its roof to utilise the extra luggage space.
Obviously, any hybrid battery packs located in the vehicle’s boot will also further reduce the load capacity.
The DBx has a sofisticated multilink rear suspension setup, with a drive shaft, rear diff. and oversized, three chamber air bellows.
An Astra has a simple, space- and money saving semi independant coil spring setup.
Edited by DeltonaS on Monday 10th August 23:59
Palmer seems quite pleased at the reception the DBX is getting.
Dr Andy Palmer said:
The reviews of Aston Martin DBX have been stunning. People have been kind about my contribution. But, allow me to thank the Female Advisory Board, planners, designers, engineers, marketeers & sales-people, not to mention the technicians in the new St Athan plant. Thank you all.
Cold said:
Palmer seems quite pleased at the reception the DBX is getting.
Good for him - he bet the company, and perhaps if Covid hadn't happened he may just have got away with it !Dr Andy Palmer said:
The reviews of Aston Martin DBX have been stunning. People have been kind about my contribution. But, allow me to thank the Female Advisory Board, planners, designers, engineers, marketeers & sales-people, not to mention the technicians in the new St Athan plant. Thank you all.
Nice to see him complimenting the wider team who made it happen - sign of a good leader in my book.
oilit said:
Cold said:
Palmer seems quite pleased at the reception the DBX is getting.
Good for him - he bet the company, and perhaps if Covid hadn't happened he may just have got away with it !Dr Andy Palmer said:
The reviews of Aston Martin DBX have been stunning. People have been kind about my contribution. But, allow me to thank the Female Advisory Board, planners, designers, engineers, marketeers & sales-people, not to mention the technicians in the new St Athan plant. Thank you all.
Nice to see him complimenting the wider team who made it happen - sign of a good leader in my book.
If DBX was too big a risk to take styling risks, then why wasn't the current main seller? Was there not a Female advisory board for the latter too
Cold said:
Palmer seems quite pleased at the reception the DBX is getting.
It looks quite nice till you get the Vantage tail end, then it falls apart. The back end needs to be more masculine. Dr Andy Palmer said:
The reviews of Aston Martin DBX have been stunning. People have been kind about my contribution. But, allow me to thank the Female Advisory Board, planners, designers, engineers, marketeers & sales-people, not to mention the technicians in the new St Athan plant. Thank you all.
AstonV said:
It looks quite nice till you get the Vantage tail end, then it falls apart. The back end needs to be more masculine.
Initially, I thought the same as you.
However I changed my opinion a while ago, because I realised that it is important for AML to make their product stand apart as much as possible, from every other SUV, in all sectors.
The rear appearance of the majority of SUVs look so similar, that it is not easy to tell an Audi from a Kia, from a Hyundai.
The generic two box shape of an SUV, creates a design differentiation problem.
The front of the DBX certainly stands out, and the rear does look different from all the others.
What alternative rear design do you suggest, to make it look more masculine, and what features qualify as masculine?
Would a masculine rear, increase Charlotte's desire for the DBX?
Marcus might even trade in his Vantage for one. My wife and I took one out yesterday for an hour around country roads and a short section of the A3. I hadn’t seen one since the prelaunch reveal and it still looks great. Like the Macan it looks smaller than it is and in the flesh is easily the best looking SUV imho.
I set off in GT mode which was a bit of a surprise. The car is very quiet and refined, little engine noise in the cabin and a very easy ride. Body control was outstanding but it never felt firm or harsh. I haven’t driven the latest X5 but it handles much as I would imagine they do. Ride was signify better than FFRR and RRS we have driven recently and felt more composed than even a Cayenne. I had expected something more raw from Aston so was a impressed but a bit disappointed at the same time. About 30mins into the drive I switched into Sport mode and the change in the car was incredible. Suddenly you could hear the engine and everything was so much more responsive. The car shrinks around you and tempts you to attack the corners and use the power - it felt just like my DB11 and I don’t think I have ever been in a car that changes character so much yet still feels integrated and well sorted in either mode. Steering is fairly light but gives you confidence and is very accurate for a big tall car. Brakes were slightly grabby at low speed but nothing like the DB11 was when new (after a few k they improved enormously and now are perfect so would expect the DBX to bed in the same). There was some road noise at low speeds on certain surfaces but TBH if I hadn’t read about it in a review first I might not have noticed it. It is a big car but once you get used to it actually felt less wide on the road that the DB11 - I think the improved high up visibility and straight sides give you more confidence.
My wife then drove the last 15-20mins (her daily is a Discovery 4). Honestly her first comment was that she didn’t like the integrated sat Nav because it took your eyes too far off the road and preferred the top of dash layout on my DB11 ! There is another map integrated into the instrument display, we didn’t have it set up right but I expect you would learn to use that instead with practice. She found it very easy to drive and very familiar being used to SUVs - even she noticed the improved body control and turn in - normally when she test drives something as a potential replacement for the D4, which I think is too soft, she denies there is any difference ! Her big issue was the seat which she just couldn’t get comfortable in despite stopping to readjust it several times. It wasn’t the fully adjustable version so I think she would need the adjustable side bolsters to get comfortable. She is fine with the DB11 seats which are fully adjustable. One extra option to tick.
I only tried the radio briefly once we had stopped - quick impression was not quite as good as the B&O but perfectly acceptable. The panoramic sunroof was great - it was a 35c day but the sun didn’t feel hot on your head although there is a shade if needed. I wasn’t won over by the new graphics on the instruments but that is probably just my dislike of change - all the reviewers seem to think them a big improvement. I like the central speedo / rev counter on the other cars. Interior felt tight and well finished.
Now will we buy one ? My wife had already decided it couldn’t replace her Disco since it she often fills it to the roof with kayaks and paddle boards and other junk (on our last trip to Devon we had to use 2 cars to get everything in) and doesn’t believe I would allow our dog to wreck the leather in it (she said previously if she bought a Porsche I wouldn’t care what she did to it but with an Aston she would always feel worried). So it would have to replace the DB11. As I drove away from the dealer I was reminded just how comfortable the DB11 seats are and just how much torque the V12 delivers - not sure I can give it up but I am desperate to support the company and British manufacturing jobs.
Overall it looks and drives incredibly, if you need a luxury SUV rather than a workhorse it is the one. To replace the DB11 not sure; although 4 seats and more room for shopping would be a massive advantage. Will let you know.
I set off in GT mode which was a bit of a surprise. The car is very quiet and refined, little engine noise in the cabin and a very easy ride. Body control was outstanding but it never felt firm or harsh. I haven’t driven the latest X5 but it handles much as I would imagine they do. Ride was signify better than FFRR and RRS we have driven recently and felt more composed than even a Cayenne. I had expected something more raw from Aston so was a impressed but a bit disappointed at the same time. About 30mins into the drive I switched into Sport mode and the change in the car was incredible. Suddenly you could hear the engine and everything was so much more responsive. The car shrinks around you and tempts you to attack the corners and use the power - it felt just like my DB11 and I don’t think I have ever been in a car that changes character so much yet still feels integrated and well sorted in either mode. Steering is fairly light but gives you confidence and is very accurate for a big tall car. Brakes were slightly grabby at low speed but nothing like the DB11 was when new (after a few k they improved enormously and now are perfect so would expect the DBX to bed in the same). There was some road noise at low speeds on certain surfaces but TBH if I hadn’t read about it in a review first I might not have noticed it. It is a big car but once you get used to it actually felt less wide on the road that the DB11 - I think the improved high up visibility and straight sides give you more confidence.
My wife then drove the last 15-20mins (her daily is a Discovery 4). Honestly her first comment was that she didn’t like the integrated sat Nav because it took your eyes too far off the road and preferred the top of dash layout on my DB11 ! There is another map integrated into the instrument display, we didn’t have it set up right but I expect you would learn to use that instead with practice. She found it very easy to drive and very familiar being used to SUVs - even she noticed the improved body control and turn in - normally when she test drives something as a potential replacement for the D4, which I think is too soft, she denies there is any difference ! Her big issue was the seat which she just couldn’t get comfortable in despite stopping to readjust it several times. It wasn’t the fully adjustable version so I think she would need the adjustable side bolsters to get comfortable. She is fine with the DB11 seats which are fully adjustable. One extra option to tick.
I only tried the radio briefly once we had stopped - quick impression was not quite as good as the B&O but perfectly acceptable. The panoramic sunroof was great - it was a 35c day but the sun didn’t feel hot on your head although there is a shade if needed. I wasn’t won over by the new graphics on the instruments but that is probably just my dislike of change - all the reviewers seem to think them a big improvement. I like the central speedo / rev counter on the other cars. Interior felt tight and well finished.
Now will we buy one ? My wife had already decided it couldn’t replace her Disco since it she often fills it to the roof with kayaks and paddle boards and other junk (on our last trip to Devon we had to use 2 cars to get everything in) and doesn’t believe I would allow our dog to wreck the leather in it (she said previously if she bought a Porsche I wouldn’t care what she did to it but with an Aston she would always feel worried). So it would have to replace the DB11. As I drove away from the dealer I was reminded just how comfortable the DB11 seats are and just how much torque the V12 delivers - not sure I can give it up but I am desperate to support the company and British manufacturing jobs.
Overall it looks and drives incredibly, if you need a luxury SUV rather than a workhorse it is the one. To replace the DB11 not sure; although 4 seats and more room for shopping would be a massive advantage. Will let you know.
Westlondondriver said:
Now will we buy one ? My wife had already decided it couldn’t replace her Disco since it she often fills it to the roof with kayaks and paddle boards and other junk (on our last trip to Devon we had to use 2 cars to get everything in) and doesn’t believe I would allow our dog to wreck the leather in it (she said previously if she bought a Porsche I wouldn’t care what she did to it but with an Aston she would always feel worried).
Aston offer something like 11 packs for the DBX don't they? Do they not do a rugged pack in one of these to protect the interior?Seems an oversight.
hyphen said:
Aston offer something like 11 packs for the DBX don't they? Do they not do a rugged pack in one of these to protect the interior?
Seems an oversight.
There's a few bits, either as part of the packs, or as standalone accessories:Seems an oversight.
Rear seat cover
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Bumper protector
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Heavy duty tread plates
MB finally released the S class interior. Wonder if stuff like this will show up on the next gen AM cars.... db12 or whatever
https://www.caranddriver.com/photos/g33574181/2021...
https://www.caranddriver.com/photos/g33574181/2021...
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