► New DBX 707 is ‘most powerful SUV’
► Performance-focused version makes 697bhp
► A few handling tweaks are applied to handle the power
Aston Martin’s making quite a claim with its new DBX 707: ‘the world’s most powerful luxury SUV.’ But it says it’s got the goods to back up that title, giving this new flagship variant of its sporty SUV a host of performance upgrades and tasty trimmings.
It also helps, timing-wise, that the title of ‘most powerful SUV’ has had a reshuffle – just as Aston launches the 707; Jeep’s Grand Cherokee Trackhawk and Dodge’s Durango SRT Hellcat – both more powerful than the 707 – have since gone off sale in their home markets. Handy, that.
Anyway, to business. The DBX 707 still uses a 4.0-litre AMG-derived twin-turbo V8, this time developing 697bhp and 664lb ft, 26bhp than the now-second-place Porsche Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid – and doing so without any electric assistance like the PHEV Cayenne. The 707 can sprint to 62mph in 3.3 seconds, and onto a top speed of 193mph.
Read our review of the standard Aston Martin DBX
All of that shove is sent to all four wheels by a new nine-speed wet-clutch transmission, modified air suspension and a toughened electronic differential for the rear axle, where 100 per cent of the power can be sent to the rear wheels so you can get drifty with it. Carbon ceramic brakes are standard, too, with Aston saying they take off 40.5kg of unsprung mass.
But, other than that, it’s rather hard to detect the differences between a normal DBX and the new 707. You can spec new 23-inch wheels as an option, the grille is a touch bigger before and the 707 is at your personalisation mercy. Inside, the 707 has a handy new dial in the centre console for the revised drive modes, and some new sports seats are fitted. ‘When you’re the alpha SUV, you don’t have to try too hard,’ says Aston design boss, Marek Reichmann.
The DBX 707 is on sale now, with the first deliveries arriving in the summer of 2022. Want one? Prices start at £189k before any options or extra trimmings, and it sits alongside the ‘regular’ DBX in the range.
Aston Martin DBX: the quick debrief
The new £158,000 Aston Martin DBX is the first SUV in the 106-year history of the British sports car brand. Yes, another premium car maker ended up succumbing to the lure of crossover cash.
Naturally, the Aston design DNA has been applied to the SUV shape with interesting results. The plush, leather-trimmed cockpit has been extensively developed, according to Aston Martin, to fit almost any kind of driver comfortably. Details like interior storage, rear space and visibility have been at the forefront of the development team’s minds – arguably the first time that’s really been the case in an Aston.
The digital hardware is again borrowed from the collaboration with Mercedes-Benz and the DBX sports a 10-inch TFT instrument pack ahead of the driver, and a 12.3-inch central touchscreen managing all the infotainment systems. Apple CarPlay is standard-fit for syncing your smartphone.
Aston Martin DBX: performance specs
The new DBX is made from bonded aluminium, like all Aston Martins, and is powered by the same raucous 4.0-litre AMG-supplied V8 as the Vantage junior supercar and DB11. Outputs are tweaked to 543bhp and 516lb ft, making this one of the brawniest SUVs on the marketplace.
The V8 sends drive to all four wheels through a nine-speed torque convertor automatic transmission. An active central differential and electronically controlled rear e-diff apportions drive front and rear, and side to side, allowing for precise torque vectoring.
Air suspension is standard, allowing the ride height to be dropped or raised by 50mm for off-roading or loading purposes. The triple-chamber air springs can develop 1400Nm of anti-roll force on each axle, suppressing body roll effectively. And it really does work, the DBX’s suspension system is one of the best parts of the dynamic package it offers.
How much is the Aston Martin DBX?
UK prices start at £158,000, with the new DBX 707 version clocking in from £189,000.