What is it?
And so to the most important Aston Martin since the Aston Martin DB11, which was the most important Aston Martin since the DB9, which was the most important since the DB7, which was… well, you understand. The ‘most important’ tag accompanied Aston Martins perennially as the company went through the latter half of its first century, making some outstanding cars but seldom more than skimming the surface of making any money.
The ‘Second Century Plan’ was conceived to change all that. It was tentatively being followed under the stewardship of chairman and CEO Andy Palmer, who in 2015 introduced a business plan that would include seven core models (one replaced each year – “not rocket science”), cash-flow-generating special editions and a stock market flotation. That last part, which Palmer called a “key milestone”, turned out to be a key millstone.
Aston couldn’t have foreseen all of it. Who could? Falling car sales in China and a global pandemic later, money from the second-century DBS Superleggera, Aston Martin Vantage and Aston Martin DB11, cars perhaps too similar to each other, still wasn’t coming in fast enough and Aston needed new investors. Once they were found, they rapidly invited Palmer to leave through the door they had just entered. On 1 August, Tobias Moers, formerly boss of Mercedes’ AMG division but already no stranger to Aston’s headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire, took Palmer’s place.
The DBX, then – the most important Aston since… well, you understand – officially arrives under the German’s leadership. But be in no doubt: this is Palmer’s car.
It’s the result of bold ambition for a manufacturer of Aston’s size: new car, new market segment, new platform, new factory, first SUV, first full five-seater. The only way the DBX could be newer were if the hybridised V6 petrol engine that Aston is also working on were ready. As it is, Mercedes-AMG has provided both the new boss and familiar old power, in the form of a 542bhp twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre petrol V8.
This engine sits at the front of a new aluminium architecture, sited as far back under the bonnet as possible, giving the DBX a weight distribution of 54:46 front to rear. It drives the rear wheels most of the time but all four when it’s slippery, through a nine-speed automatic gearbox and a variety of differentials.
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I think that there needs to
I think that there needs to be sense of what Aston stands for: their heritage is grand tourers, never true sports cars aka Ferrari, despite Valkyrie. These are continent crushers for those wish to cross the continent in a long weekend therefore somewhat closer to a Bentley; power and soul.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, I personally think it has presence, yes there are hint of Cayenne, prettier than the Blower, less modern than and funky than a Lamborghini (horses for courses), not 'look at me' brash, but stand back and admire. The Ford comments are understandable as, although they saved the business, bringing us the DB7, personally I think they borrowed the Aston grill as a parting present to appear on the Ford lineup ever since.
Aston don't have the 'sugar daddy' of the Volkswagen group with deep pockets to fund vehicle development, this is a great effort from a small player.
Buy a Rolex and pay £5k, or a Casio quartz watch for a fiver, both tell you the time, but the heritage, craftsmanship are what you are paying for - exclusivity.
Interesting times, Bentley, Lamborghini, et al for sale by VW? - where next for luxury sports cars....
What is an Aston?
[quote=Mr M]
I think that there needs to be sense of what Aston stands for: their heritage is grand tourers, never true sports cars aka Ferrari, despite Valkyrie. These are continent crushers for those wish to cross the continent in a long weekend therefore somewhat closer to a 2 seat Bentley; power and soul.Perhaps the DBX hits more GT needs than we petrol heads know as it pushes convention for a most conventional brand.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, I personally think it has presence, yes there are hint of Cayenne, prettier than the Blower, less modern than and funky than a Lamborghini (horses for courses), not 'look at me' brash, but stand back and admire. The Ford comments are understandable as, although they saved the business, bringing us the DB7, personally I think they borrowed the Aston grill as a parting present to appear on the Ford lineup ever since.
Aston don't have the 'sugar daddy' of the Volkswagen group with deep pockets to fund vehicle development, this is a great effort from a small player.
Buy a Rolex and pay £5k, or a Casio quartz watch for a fiver, both tell you the time, but the heritage, craftsmanship are what you are paying for - exclusivity.
Interesting times, Bentley, Lamborghini, et al for sale by VW? - where next for luxury sports cars....
Will the luxury car brands be the Kodak of the car industry slipping away to be replaced by the 'digital ' Lucid within a few years: faster, more advanced, simple different, maybe better. Deep tech pockets versus crafted old school end of an era companies, - time will tell.
Old Technology
Whoever negotiated the Mercedes deal where Aston get the last generation infotainment needs firing! Spend £200K on an Aston and get an infotainment 7 years out of date when a new A class for £25K gets the latest kit? Still, I suppose the average Aston buyer still thinks MP3 players are high tech. Shame, I like the overall ethos of the DBX.
I really dislike this car.
As the title suggests... my first post here so go easy on me but it's this car that made me sign up in the first place!
I just can't understand the love it gets! Both from the biased reporter and based on some of the comments here. This is literally a knock off Ford Kuga with an Aston Martin badge slapped on.
They don't know what their consumers want and they are experimenting all too much with random vehicles hoping they can hit the jackpot in sales with one. I've lived in China for 5 years and I can safely say I WONT see this selling at all in Shanghai. It's a cheap looking SUV that doesn't replicate the "look at me " feel you'd get with virtually any other competitive brand (including the 50% priced Cayenne). This what the majority of car buyers (especially in Asia) are thinking when making their premium purchase.
For the same money you can get a Urus...for cheaper money still you can get a Bentley...and for literally half the cost you can get a 2020 Porschse Cayenne GTS or maybe a Turbo secondhand! I'd take any of those over this Ford Kuga!
Really annoyed with this design - both inside and out. If AM rely on this to save the brand may god help them...
What is the defining feature and identity of this car?