Aston Martin has a long, illustrious, and frankly excellent history of ludicrously powerful cars. The old twin-supercharged (!) V600 Vantage was the most powerful car on sale for a period; the aftershock of a 725hp DBS Superleggera still hasn't really worn off; and the fact that a car the size of the V8 Vantage could ever feature a 5.9-litre, 600hp V12 remains barmy. Now the DBX SUV is joining the crazy crew, with this new '707' edition. That's 707 as in seven hundred and seven horsepower...
The huge gain - 157hp more than standard - has been achieved through new ball bearing turbos and "bespoke engine calibration", which rather indicates how much headroom is in the 4.0 V8 - because that sounds a lot like an ECU fiddle with the new 'chargers, and nothing required for the internals.
Anyway, the staggering results rather speak for themselves: with 664lb ft as well (against 516lb ft as standard), the DBX 707 is capable of 0-60mph in just 3.1 seconds (62mph in 3.2), 100mph in 7.4 seconds and 193mph. Supercar fast, basically, no matter the 2,245kg it has to haul around. Aiding the 707's acceleration is a new nine-speed wet-clutch auto, presumably as found in recent AMGs, with a shorter final (3.27 against 3.07) than the ordinary V8's torque converter transmission. As well as its higher torque rating, the introduction of a wet clutch promises a more immediate shift feel while retaining "the efficiency and cruising refinement" from before.
Naturally, the DBX's chassis has been overhauled to accommodate the significant jump in power. Carbon ceramic brakes are standard fit, with a huge 40kg reduction in unsprung weight as a result; improved pedal feel and response are also promised from revisions to the system's hydraulic sizing and booster tune. The huge new rotors - 420mm front, 390mm rear - sit behind 22-inch wheels, with 23s optional. Aston actually reckons the bigger rims bring dynamic benefits (yes, really), as it means larger tyres can be fitted, in turn offering "improved steering response, better primary body control and improved lap times." So there. Tyres on the 22-inch wheel are a Pirelli P Zero, 285-section at the front and 325-section behind.
The 707 also benefit from revalved dampers and "recalibration of dynamic spring volume"; alongside changes to the EPAS, Aston Martin is promising improved body control and steering feel. The electric anti-roll has been modified as well to the benefit of agility. It's also claimed that heave, pitch, and roll are now better controlled, which gives the driver "easier ability to adjust the yaw of the car with natural pedal or steering inputs." Which sounds like improved powersliding potential to us - super.
The driver focused remake continues inside, with a new lower console that brings the key dynamic buttons away from the screen and into easier reach. So the exhaust button, manual mode, ESP, and damper switch are right there for simpler configuration. Given the slightly out-of-date infotainment was never a DBX strong point, having those options relocated for the 707 sounds sensible. Extra upgrades for the interior include standard Sport seats (Comfort chairs can be retained at no-cost), an 'Accelerate' theme mixing leather and Alcantara, dark chrome switchgear and Piano Black veneer. But this is Aston Martin, don't forget - Q is on hand if you have something jazzier in mind for a 707. Apparently a customer "can push the boundaries of desire" as they see fit with unique graphics, tinted carbons, bespoke materials and more...
Still, whatever those customers conjure up, they'll be working with a supremely handsome SUV in the first instance. Though clearly a more serious proposition than the DBX V8, the 707 offers pretty modest hints at its potential by the standard of super SUVs. The new front end benefits cooling of those monster brakes and the uprated engine, with double vanes in the chrome grille "to create more visual interest and make this range-topping model immediately identifiable." The dark theme from inside is repeated outside, with chunkier black accents - side sills, front splitter, rear wing, diffuser - throughout. The 707's quad-exit exhaust is new, too.
Sounds rather good, doesn't it? Aston Martin is certainly promising a lot: "Fastest. Most powerful. Best handling. Three accolades for which the DBX707 was conceived to claim. Not by blindly chasing benchmarks but achieved on its own terms and in its own inimitable way. For Aston Martin this meant ensuring there is nuance behind the numbers - that's to say world-beating power and pace matched by exceptional precision, dynamic flair and genuine engagement for an addictive and uniquely impressive driving experience. A sabre in a segment of sledgehammers."
Given the bar already set by the DBX V8, the performance on offer and dynamic sign off from Matt Becker before he jumped ship, the 707 sounds a formidable prospect. Tobias Moers says to expect nothing less than "the pinnacle of SUV performance". Expect examination of that claim to follow in the coming weeks!
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