Aston Martin DBX spotted testing at the Nurburgring

The Aston Martin DBX will be the British marque’s first foray into the high-end SUV segment, and as seen previously in Welsh forests, and more recently the frigid snow, prototypes have been undergoing an exhaustive testing regime. As a road-biased SUV though, it comes as no surprise to see it now putting in laps on the ubiquitous Nordschleife, perfecting its on-road driving manners.

Winter Testing of the DBX in Sweden

Aston Martin DBX seems much sleeker than its rivals

The model seen in these images is still quite removed from the eventual production model, but we can instantly see that this will be a four-door, two-box (or sorts) SUV with a sloping rear roofline and high-waisted window line. The overall shape is much sleeker than many high-end SUV rivals such as the Bentley Bentayga, having a profile more akin to the Maserati Levante or BMW X6 thanks to that long bonnet and a sloping roofline.

The incoming production car itself will have little to do with the DBX Concept that was first previewed at the 2015 Geneva motor show, too. That car’s lifted two-door coupe body has clearly made way for a more standardized four-door body shape.

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What powertrain can you expect?

Powering the DBX is expected to be the AMG-sourced M177 engine that is currently used in the DB11 V8 and Vantage, albeit tuned to suit the less overtly sporting character of the DBX. We also expect Aston’s own 5.2-liter twin-turbo V12 to be offered, chiefly to appeal to markets abroad like the Middle East and China, which will run through Aston Martin’s first ever all-wheel-drive system.

As part of Aston Martin’s expansion, the electric Lagonda sub-brand should also inject some of its hybridization know-how back into the Aston Martin range, leading to a hybridized DBX later in the model’s life-cycle.

Being tested to be multi-faceted

Of course, like all luxury SUVs, the DBX’s key deliverable will be to offer a hugely varied skill set; needing to be as happy on the challenging dirt roads of Wales (as seen here) as it is belting up and down the autobahns in Germany at high speed. Aston Martin has focused on this duality of purpose, ensuring that like no Aston Martin before, towing, off-roading driving and hauling a week’s worth of luggage is all possible.

Chassis guru Matt Becker has also had an important role in the initial phases of development, ensuring that the DBX still feels like an Aston Martin to drive on the road, where most will doubtless spend a majority of their time.