New Aston Martin DBX S unveiled with 727hp
Aston goes big on pomp and power as it aims to take its luxury SUV into uncharted territory...
We’ve been repeatedly told Aston would be doing a better job of iterating in the coming months, as it seeks to emulate Porsche’s uncanny ability to generate profit from a comparatively limited lineup - and so it begins. Roll out the red carpet (and possibly your tongue) for the DBX S, the new 727hp flagship for Aston’s underperforming (from a sales perspective) luxury SUV. It covers all the familiar bases: more power, more badge, more bling - and less weight, too, assuming you’ve ticked the right boxes. A dealer’s wet dream, in other words.
Despite the newcomer being a million conceptual miles from a mid-engined supercar, Aston even slips in mention of the incoming Valhalla - albeit in relation to the V8, which is apparently where the DBX gets its revised ‘turbo technology’ from. We’ll eat our PH chequebook and pen if the manufacturer really needed hardware changes to extract an extra 20hp from the 4.0-litre unit, but no matter: the headline figure is what’s important here, nudging the most expensive DBX very marginally and pointedly beyond the output of a Ferrari Purosangue. And as any Top Trump addict would say, that’s good enough for us.
Aston keeps up pressure on the collective imagination of conquest buyers with the fitment of a modified exhaust system, one better able to add ‘even more character to the natural voice of the thunderous V8’ via those vertically stacked quad exhausts. A task likely made easier by its decision to adjust the change-up points on the nine-speed auto to reflect the car’s ‘extended rev range’ and downshift even more aggressively when set to Sport or Sport+. You’re getting the vibe, right? Think DBX707 - but better.
And lighter, too. Or it will be if you choose to spec a new carbon fibre roof, which, at almost three metres square, is easily the largest single element of composite ever fitted to an Aston Martin. This deletes the DBX’s roof rails too, meaning you save 18kg. Opt for the 23-inch magnesium wheel (yes - on an SUV) and the S sheds another 19kg. There’s even a polycarbonate honeycomb grille on the option list, just in case you want to help shift the weight distribution (very fractionally) rearward.
Now, when we drove the 707 back in June of 2024, Aston said it weighed 2,245kg; the S, with everything ticked, tips the scales at 2,198kg - so you’d imagine it’s not completely game-changing in a beyond two-tonne SUV, although Aston insists that by removing bulk from the highest point of the car (thereby reducing its centre of gravity) and delivering a reduction in unsprung mass, it has meaningfully targeted a dynamic improvement in the range-topper. Or for those who want it enough to pay extra for it, at any rate.
Even for those who don’t, the S gets the revised calibration of the air springs and electronically controlled dampers that was introduced on the 707 last year to great acclaim, and boasts a steering ratio that’s said to be four per cent quicker, not only improving agility but also knocking half a metre from the DBX’s turning circle. Braking, unsurprisingly in an SUV capable of 193 mph, is still courtesy of giant carbon ceramic discs, measuring 420 mm at the front and 390 mm at the rear.
Finally, if you’re unconvinced by the implication that you’d be physically going any quicker in the S, there’s always the chance you might be persuaded by it looking physically better. We’ll spare you the designer’s justification for all the tweaks; suffice it to say, you get a new splitter and diffuser (alongside a black vaned grille if you don’t like the polycarbonate alternative) at the front, upturned air splitters on the sills, and, at the back, a reprofiled rear bumper and diffuser to accommodate the repurposed exhaust. Plus the signature ’S’ badging, of course - the letter signifying (if you hadn’t already guessed) a special, high-performance version in much the same way it has done previously with the Vantage and Rapide.
You’ll see the suffix repeated several times on the inside, not least in embroidery, although Aston suggests the most notable bespoke feature is the ‘distinct herringbone design’ that comes as standard on the seats. Elsewhere, Alcantara proliferates, as do speakers: 14 by default, but up to 23 if you choose the 1,600w Bowers and Wilkins surround sound system.
“The introduction of DBX S not only reaffirms our commitment to producing the most exciting, rewarding, and beautiful cars, it also sends a powerful statement of intent about our ambitions not just for DBX, but for the Aston Martin brand,” reckons CEO Adrian Hallmark. He has ordered the starter pistol fired; you’re looking at the b of the bang. And while there is no official confirmation on price (though, clearly, it will eclipse the £205,000 a 707 started at last year), you won’t have to wait long for the end result either: the new flagship is available to order immediately, with deliveries expected in the last quarter of 2025.
However, Porsche purchases enable you, for the most part, to know you have something you aren't going to completely lose your shirt on within five minutes of buying one - if they (Aston) can survive as a brand, then this might be the ultimate 'how you take your kids to school' and rock up in the company car park, bus.
Of the admittedly few reviews or group tests I have read the Aston is a good steer, so why the poor sales I wonder? Have they done their research and the only way to tempt new money out of their Urus is by joining the horsepower wars? Or is this halo model really going to drive sales of the lesser variants. Either way, good luck to em.
Of the admittedly few reviews or group tests I have read the Aston is a good steer, so why the poor sales I wonder? Have they done their research and the only way to tempt new money out of their Urus is by joining the horsepower wars? Or is this halo model really going to drive sales of the lesser variants. Either way, good luck to em.
Having owned one as a daily driver for the last two and a half years, it is an amazing vehicle.
It’s been utterly reliable, very comfortable, seats five, carries our Bernese mountain dog (she loves the car too!). When you’re in the mood and without passengers, flick it in Sport+ mode, I did it yesterday on my way home in the hills above St Tropez, each time I’m amazed on how well it handles the twisties, it’s just incredible! I wouldn’t be going any faster in my V12 Vantage.
It’s so good at what it does that I can’t see what to replace it with.
This new one looks hardly different, I can’t say I need it to go any faster and not sure I would feel the extra 20 BHP. Sure if I decide to change it would be for another DBX and Ind probably go for the S version (do they still offer the 707 or does this one replace it?)
I don’t see how this new model will change anything to the slow sales figures.
Maybe a hybrid base model would improve sales, although Îm not sure as they dropped the DBX550 eventually because everyone buying a DBX went for the 707 as soon as it was launched.
It is what it is, Aston care for a niche market, which means low volume selling at a high price.
They should probably stick the V12 Vanquish engine in the DBX, now that would probably tempt a few existing owners to upgrade and Urus owners out of their VAG product and offer an alternative to the Purosangue which offers only 4 seats.
My only gripe, and I think this applies to Aston along with McLaren, is the badges on their cars can look a bit tacky..
I don't know what it is, but the red 'S' here, McLaren's model badging in the lower sill, the 'V12' badge on the new Vanquish (seen on Harry's Garage) always seem to look a bit cheap..
Puro customers have the cachet of the V12 donkey. That’s a USP.
The Lambo get sales because it’s cultivated a cool cred factor. Outrageous Lambo make a family vehicle thing, looks a bit Judge Dredd’y, edgey, macho.
RR and Bentley get sales because their customer base is their customer base and they don’t care about competing. Sufficent - sums up their entire customer base.
Rangie and Cayenne scoop up everybody else.
Kinda leaves Aston asking why ppl should buy their product instead. Instead of what?
As for the more performance thing, hmm. I’ve got a 440BHP Macan Turbo. It’s astonishingly quick across country when I want it to be. That’s er…never. I leave it in Comfort and never go above 7/10 because punting a heavy SUV type quickly along smaller countryside type roads is a HORRIBLE experience. It’s making a fat man run. There is no enjoyment in it at all.
I just don’t think the market that Aston wants to sell a lot of these things to is there for them.
Having seen the odd one in the flesh they don't look as much like a Ford Puma SUV as in the pictures, but it still ain't nice.
Puro customers have the cachet of the V12 donkey. That’s a USP.
The Lambo get sales because it’s cultivated a cool cred factor. Outrageous Lambo make a family vehicle thing, looks a bit Judge Dredd’y, edgey, macho.
RR and Bentley get sales because their customer base is their customer base and they don’t care about competing. Sufficent - sums up their entire customer base.
Rangie and Cayenne scoop up everybody else.
Kinda leaves Aston asking why ppl should buy their product instead. Instead of what?
As for the more performance thing, hmm. I’ve got a 440BHP Macan Turbo. It’s astonishingly quick across country when I want it to be. That’s er…never. I leave it in Comfort and never go above 7/10 because punting a heavy SUV type quickly along smaller countryside type roads is a HORRIBLE experience. It’s making a fat man run. There is no enjoyment in it at all.
I just don’t think the market that Aston wants to sell a lot of these things to is there for them.
I'm not a fan of these SUVs at all, but the DBX looks a lot nicer than either the Bentayga or the Cullinan. It's a lot more special than the former, and a lot cheaper than the latter.
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