DBX Media Launch and First Deliveries

[anonymous-user]

Last week one of the production spec cars was at AM Bristol for the week. The local order book's been good thus far (orders that are specced - there's often confusion about deposits taken upon unveiling, and confirmed orders where St Athan has a spec to build to). It's on a first come, first served basis, so I believe although 80% of cars were heading overseas in the first 12 months, a UK confirmed order will be higher up the pecking order than say, a deposit placed by a UAE customer who hasn't finalised a spec yet.

I'm not in the market for a DBX; I have no family and no pets to cart around at brisk velocities - so my wheezy Mini and the DB11 work for me, but I have an admiration for the DBX; it's a very well thought out, well executed design - every single objective measure to make it competitive against the Bentayga and Urus, it's ticked each box, while (IMO) looking more attractive than both of them. Of course it's the most unusual of beauty contests to enter, but the clean sheet design afforded the the exterior and interior designers the freedom to make it look and feel like less of a high riding barge.

The interior in particular, is an indication of where design language may be heading - perhaps it'll alleviate some of the rashes and itching caused by other models at the moment, time will tell. MBUX is the dogs danglies when it comes to infotainment systems, and that means Aston Martin no longer has to be concerned about offering out of date, last gen systems that were (or weren't) attractively integrated.

[Jon39]

A very attractive product both interior and exterior.

I expect to see good orders for this model. I certainly hope so, because AML are in 'last chance saloon', but possibly we cannot be certain about the level of success for a year or so.
If you remember the early days of the new Vantage, AP was saying orders were very good and factory production was booked for about eighteen months. However, with new models, every dealer around the world initially buys at least 3 or 4 cars, showroom display, demonstrators etc., so early wholesale figures can sometimes be misleading.

I cannot see that I will ever have a need for an SUV, but many can justify such a requirement. There is a certain irony of course, with more and more people now talking about, 'we must save the planet'. Do you think mummy asks her daughter, whilst driving one mile home from school, in a 600bhp 3 ton £250,000 SUV, "What did you learn about the environment today, Jemima ?" -

[Beckson]

Surely..... the DBS/ DB11/ Vantage will get this interior. Looks miles better than the stuck on ipad look.
Although apparently the new S class will have the Ipad stuck on look as well..... the way Bentley or this integrates the screen is so much better.

[SFO]

That mouse thing in the centre console means it ain’t MBUX .. it’s the same system that is in the sports cars

[anonymous-user]

SFO said:

That mouse thing in the centre console means it ain’t MBUX .. it’s the same system that is in the sports cars

My apologies, it's just that I was told by the factory, and the dealer, that it used the most current Daimler system, and not the previous gen one from the DB11 et al.

I guess they're mistaken as to what they're building and they've passed on bad information...
Or... They elected to just keep using the rotary controller, because it's quite handy.

[Venturist]

NFC 85 Vette said:

My apologies, it's just that I was told by the factory, and the dealer, that it used the most current Daimler system, and not the previous gen one from the DB11 et al.

I guess they're mistaken as to what they're building and they've passed on bad information...
Or... They elected to just keep using the rotary controller, because it's quite handy.

I wouldn’t be surprised by the former - most car dealers are often not that well informed about their products especially new and upcoming ones, and regarding “the factory”, unless you spoke to someone with high level visibility of the overall program or someone working specifically around the electrical architecture, they are probably regurgitating a soundbite too. No disrespect meant to anybody involved - it’s just the nature of a big company like that.

[Bincenzo]

Venturist said:

I wouldn’t be surprised by the former - most car dealers are often not that well informed about their products especially new and upcoming ones, and regarding “the factory”, unless you spoke to someone with high level visibility of the overall program or someone working specifically around the electrical architecture, they are probably regurgitating a soundbite too. No disrespect meant to anybody involved - it’s just the nature of a big company like that.

A big company? Have you been to Gaydon recently? There are about 12 people wandering around...

[SFO]

NFC 85 Vette said:

My apologies, it's just that I was told by the factory, and the dealer, that it used the most current Daimler system, and not the previous gen one from the DB11 et al.

I guess they're mistaken as to what they're building and they've passed on bad information...
Or... They elected to just keep using the rotary controller, because it's quite handy.

All MBUX systems have no rotary controller as they are touch screens. Plus the touch pad is flat.

[is-uk]

This is what MBUX looks like in the new S class. The large "hole" in the dash behind the Ipad style instrument display is a system that makes the instrument panel appear to be 3D for the driver.

[Beckson]

I'm sure the tech in the new S class will be amazing, but in terms of a design, that looks awful compared to the current S class interior. Even the Audi a8 looks better than that mess. I really can't believe Merc went so nuts with the new S class.
Again, I'm sure it will be an amazing vehicle, they always are, but that interior is not "classy" at all.

[oilit]

Beckson said:

I'm sure the tech in the new S class will be amazing, but in terms of a design, that looks awful compared to the current S class interior. Even the Audi a8 looks better than that mess. I really can't believe Merc went so nuts with the new S class.
Again, I'm sure it will be an amazing vehicle, they always are, but that interior is not "classy" at all.

You are very polite - that is absolutely sh**. I think the Tesla 3 minimalist approach is probably the best if we must go down the road of screens ...

[Beckson]

who knows.... maybe everyone will love the Ipad look of the S class. Really hate to see that stuck on look get pushed into db12s or whatever down the road.
But yes, It looks awful. Massive step down from current S class. Let's hope Aston doesn't go more so in this direction.

[Jon39]

I have never driven a car with a touch screen.

Is it really true, that you stop looking at the road ahead, then using the touch screen, scroll through a few menus to adjust the heater, change a radio station, or lower a window?

And yet it is against the law to look at a mobile phone whilst driving.

[Buster73]

Jon39 said:

I have never driven a car with a touch screen.

Is it really true, that you stop looking at the road ahead, then using the touch screen, scroll through a few menus to adjust the heater, change a radio station, or lower a window?

And yet it is against the law to look at a mobile phone whilst driving.

I drive a RRS with touch screen system, it becomes second nature once you’re used to it.

[Francois de La Rochefoucauld]

I've used one for 2 years on a RR, I can report it is terrible and dangerous. The the system on my mini cooper is superior in every regard.

[ettore]

It does, my RR is the same. It does have lovely multi-functional knobs for the heating though and they’re so much more satisfying and logical to use!

Edited by ettore on Thursday 30th July 10:53

[Agent57]

I wouldn't want to operate anything that is touch screen whilst on the move.

Everyone seems to be jumping on this bandwagon.

Give me nice tactile buttons for all the primary controls.

[dbs2000]

is-uk said:

This is what MBUX looks like in the new S class. The large "hole" in the dash behind the Ipad style instrument display is a system that makes the instrument panel appear to be 3D for the driver.

Vile, the DBX layout is way nicer. I do miss simple layouts, one of my favorites being the S2000, everything was by the drivers fingers and for AM, the final Vanq waterfall was lovely.

I generally don't like screens but accept they're here to stay. At least the Honda-e is a bit more original than these iPads everywhere. I love the retro look as well.



Anyway, back on topic, we should be getting the reviews very shortly.

[hyphen]

Agent57 said:

I wouldn't want to operate anything that is touch screen whilst on the move.

Everyone seems to be jumping on this bandwagon.

Give me nice tactile buttons for all the primary controls.

Bmw are goimg touch screen, but also retaining the dial button thingy too

[EVR]

dbs2000 said:

Vile, the DBX layout is way nicer. I do miss simple layouts, one of my favorites being the S2000, everything was by the drivers fingers and for AM, the final Vanq waterfall was lovely.

I generally don't like screens but accept they're here to stay. At least the Honda-e is a bit more original than these iPads everywhere. I love the retro look as well.



Anyway, back on topic, we should be getting the reviews very shortly.

Love this, it sort of remind me of the Aston Martin Lagonda interior, in a retro-future way.