Aston Martin DBX S Performance SUV
The Aston Martin DBX S is making headlines as the British supercar maker's latest high-performance SUV offering exceptional performance but drawing criticism for uninspired aesthetics. The DBX S underscores how traditional sports car brands are adapting to luxury SUV demand, sometimes at the cost of signature design language.
- The DBX S sits atop the DBX lineup, boasting a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine that produces 717 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque, an increase of 20 horsepower over the DBX707 model. This power is achieved in part by borrowing turbocharger technology from Aston Martin's upcoming Valhalla supercar. - It can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 3.3 seconds and reaches a top speed of 193 mph. While its 0-60 mph time is estimated to be the same as the DBX707, it is a full second quicker from 62 to 124 mph. - The "S" designation has historical significance for Aston Martin, used to denote special high-performance versions of existing models, a tradition that began with the Vanquish S in 2004. - The vehicle's design was led by Aston Martin's Chief Creative Officer, Marek Reichman. A key design challenge was applying the brand's "Golden Ratio" principle, traditionally used on its sports cars, to the larger proportions of an SUV. - Pricing for the DBX S starts at approximately $270,000-$274,500, placing it in competition with other high-performance luxury SUVs like the Lamborghini Urus SE and the Ferrari Purosangue. - Significant weight-saving options are available, which can reduce the vehicle's weight by over 100 pounds. These include a large carbon fiber roof and 23-inch magnesium wheels, the first of their kind in the luxury SUV segment, which alone cut 42 pounds of unsprung mass. - The DBX is the first vehicle produced at Aston Martin's manufacturing facility in St Athan, Wales. - Distinctive design elements of the S model include unique stacked quad exhausts, a honeycomb pattern grille, and an interior featuring Alcantara upholstery and seats with an exclusive herringbone design.
