SUVs are a huge hit in India. Right from compact SUVs to the luxurious but fast SUVs like the Lamborghini Urus, Bentley Bentayga and Audi RS Q8, our audience fancies all shapes and sizes of SUVs. Aston Martin has just climbed aboard the fast, luxury SUV bandwagon in India with the brand’s first ever SUV in its 108 years of existence — the Aston Martin DBX. In fact, the DBX has been launched in India on the British car maker’s 108th anniversary. The DBX will be sold as a CBU at Rs 3.82 crore ex-showroom, New Delhi.
The Aston Martin DBX is built on an all-new platform developed specifically for the DBX and its future iterations. It is powered by the Mercedes-AMG sourced 4-litre twin-turbo V8 engine that has been tuned for 542bhp and 700Nm. The same engine can also be found in the Aston Martin DB11 and the Vantage, albeit in a different tune. The DBX does the 0-100kmph run in just 4.5 seconds and will go on to hit a top speed of 291kmph. Like many performance cars and SUVs, the DBX has cylinder deactivation for better fuel efficiency.
The V8 engine is paired to a 9-speed torque converter automatic transmission that channels drive to all four wheels. The AWD system consists of an active central diff and an electronic rear limited slip differential. Aston Martin claims that the system is designed to make the DBX feel and handle like a nimble sportscar while allowing the SUV to perform well off the beaten path as well. Apart from the standard GT, Sport, Sport+ drive modes, it gets two additional modes, Terrain and Terrain+ to go with the DBX’s SUV credentials.
The DBX also features adaptive air suspension with ride height adjustment and the ability to alter the ride stiffness depending on the mode you’re in. However, the ride height will automatically be overridden at specific speeds for safety of the occupants.
There may be many beautiful cars in the world but when it comes to Aston Martin, every single one of their cars are absolutely gorgeous. Although the DBX is a full-size SUV, it isn’t in-your-face and intimidating like say the G 63 AMG or a Land Cruiser. It’s not hard to figure out that this is an Aston Martin and the design has been cleverly incorporated to match the butch and muscular body. Upfront there are single chamber LED headlamps with C-shaped DRLs integrated into the headlamp housing. It features the largest grille on any Aston Martin and in fact, it is reminiscent of the one on the DB11. The overall design flows seamlessly from the front-end to the rear where the ducktail spoiler stands out. On request, you can even get a tow-hook fitted.
The DBX is a nice place to be in as well. The interiors are handcrafted and it looks really plush. It has a full-length panoramic roof, two separate hand rests for the driver and passenger and you get leather seats that can be personalised as well. The entire headlining and sunroof blinds are covered in Alcantara.
Also, you get a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a bigger 12.3-inch digital information cluster. Apple CarPlay, 360-degree camera and ambient lighting that offers 64 different colours come as standard too.
The DBX appears to be Aston Martin’s formula of combining the thrill of a sportscar and the practicality of an SUV. Its main rival will be Lamborghini’s best-seller in India, the Urus. The Urus is lighter, faster and more ‘affordable’ if you can ever associate that term with a Lamborghini, but what the DBX promises is a finely crafted cabin, sheer opulence, and a hair raising performance all blended into one fine package. Also, the DBX was only the second ever SUV nominated at the evo Car of the Year awards. The first one was the Porsche Cayenne. Read about the eCOTY in our January 2021 issue. Click here to grab a copy.