From Porsche’s Cayenne and Maserati’s Levante to Lamborghini’s Urus and Bentley’s Bentayga, the concept of luxury sports car marques introducing SUVs into their arsenals as a Hail Mary pass is not a new one. Debuting in 2020, the Aston Martin DBX – the British marque’s first SUV – seemed to represent the final frontier. So as not to secede its Bond status in favour of that of a baby carrier, Aston Martin – like most sports car marques releasing SUVs – was quick to assure the market the DBX still retained the DNA of an Aston Martin. Proving a success, the introduction of the Aston Martin DBX saw the marque quadruple its revenue in the second quarter of 2021 (compared to the same time the previous year), with the DBX contributing to over half of total sales and being hailed as ‘the car that saved Aston Martin’.
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Now, the Aston Martin DBX707 ups the ante, looking to claim the accolade of the world’s fastest SUV. No mean feat, the Aston Martin DBX707 seeks to make good on that promise with the addition of ball bearing turbochargers and a bespoke engine calibration to the pre-existing Mercedes AMG-sourced twin-turbo V8 engine. The result? An SUV that’s a testament to its name, with 707PS (697 bhp) and 663 ft-lbs torque. Not content with raw power alone, this is achieved through the introduction of a 9-speed wet clutch automatic transmission which works to handle the DBX707’s increased torque loadings and deliver faster gear changes, smoother operation, increased responsiveness, and a greater sense of driver control. Notably, the wet shift introduction also bolsters launch capability, with the Aston Martin DBX707 firing up from 0-100km/h in 3.3 seconds. With a purported top speed of 310km/h, the Aston Martin DBX707 is quite possibly the fastest production SUV on the market.
“With this exceptional new model we have truly unlocked the performance potential within the DBX to create a world-beating high-performance SUV,” said Ralph Illenberger, head of powertrain at Aston Martin. “The huge gains we have found in both power and torque demonstrates not only the inherent prowess of the 4.0-litre biturbo V8, but Aston Martin’s appetite and ability for finding uncompromising engineering solutions. The combination of this magnificent engine with a new 9-speed ‘wet-clutch’ transmission sits at the heart of DBX707’s formidable capabilities and unforgettable character.”
The DBX707 also sees the introduction of carbon-ceramic brakes as standard fare (420mm front, 390mm rear); gripped by 6-piston callipers, these result in a 40.5kg reduction in unsprung weight. Wheels clock in at 22-inch with the option for 23-inch allow wheels, with the latter offering increased dynamism in the form of improved steering response and better primary body control.
From an aesthetic perspective, the DBX707 represents a subtle step up from its predecessor. The new front-end receives the popular oversized grille treatment, with the addition of new air intakes and brake cooling ducts, and a new front splitter profile. Eschewing the carbon fibre that’s been oft-used of late, the Aston Martin DBX707 is cut from satin chrome and features doubles vanes, with the six horiconal bars split to create a distinctive appearance. Complementing the front grille are dark satin chrome windows and louvred bonnet blades, with the theme continuing onto the flanks with gloss black side sills, which have been reworked with a deeper, more sculpted profile to give the car a lower stance. On the rear, a new lip spoiler has been added to the roof wing to reduce lift and increase high-speed stability, as has a new rear bumper with integrated quarter panels, all of which contribute to giving the car a slight edginess while still being recognisable as an Aston Martin.
“The key to DBX707’s design DNA is capturing the confidence that comes from its dynamic supremacy,” explains Marek Reichman, chief creative officer at Aston Martin. “When you are the alpha SUV you don’t have to try too hard, therefore, we concentrated on those areas of the design that would make the DBX707 instantly recognisable as the highest performing model.”
The Aston Martin DBX is set to commence in early 2022, with deliveries scheduled for early Q2 2022.
Words by T. Angel
