Shaken and Stirred |
Everyone’s favourite spy may take his martini shaken and not stirred, but if 007 were to be introduced to Project DBX707, stealthily commissioned by M and developed to be the ultimate SUV in every respect, he would have been shaken… and stirred.
There was only one goal with the new DBX707; to be the ultimate SUV in every respect – a vehicle with a unique combination of blistering performance, supreme dynamics, unmistakable style, and absolute luxury, elevating Aston Martin to the pinnacle of the segment.
Under the guidance of M (read Moers, Tobias Moers) of Mercedes-AMG fame and developed in relative obscurity, it was conceived to be the fastest, most powerful, and best handling vehicle in its class. This meant ensuring nuance behind the numbers – world-beating power and pace matched by exceptional precision, dynamic flair, and genuine driver engagement.
So, where did M, himself a highly qualified engineer, start? Well, with the drivetrain, of course. Ably assisted by the Q Division engineering team, they realised the full potential of the M177 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 sourced directly from Mercedes-AMG in Affalterbach.
Featuring ball-bearing turbochargers, a bespoke engine calibration to liberate more power and torque and mated with a new nine-speed “wet clutch” auto transmission, the V8 now churns out 520 kW (707PS – hence the name) and 900 Nm – a massive increase of 115 kW and 200 Nm over the standard DBX V8.
The engine, hand-built in Britain, is signed off after final inspection as another acknowledgement of its AMG roots. Even so, Aston Martin’s claim that the DBX707 is the fastest, most powerful petrol-driven luxury SUV in the world is disputable.
Yes, it outguns the 487 kW and 850 Nm delivered by the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 of the Lamborghini Urus and overshadows the 471 kW/850 Nm of the Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT but not the 527 kW of the 6.2-litre Hellcat V8 in the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk, even though the Jeep has less torque (875 Nm).
Also, Aston Martin promises a 0-100 km/h time of 3.3 seconds (Porsche claims the same time for the Cayenne), while the Urus does this in 3.6 seconds. Even so, its performance is brutish, with 160 km/h reached in 7.6 seconds (Lamborghini claims 7.3 seconds for the Urus) and the quarter-mile in under 11 seconds (11.3 seconds for the Urus).
Purpose-built
Even so, at first glance, it is clear that the DBX707 is a bespoke, purpose-built machine. A larger grille with double vanes and new Daylight Running Lights give it a more resolute look, and the aerodynamics and cooling performance are enhanced by new air intakes and brake cooling ducts, plus a new front splitter.
The louvred bonnet blades coordinate well with the grille (the biggest ever on an Aston Martin) and splitter, plus the dark satin chrome window surrounds. The more heavily sculpted side sills and optional 23” black diamond turned wheels emphasise the steadfast stance of our Satin Lunar White test unit.
At the rear, the roof wing has a new lip spoiler, and an enlarged twin rear diffuser rises to meet the new quad exhaust system. A unique rear bumper with integrated quarter panel vents completes the rear-end changes, further contributing to the 2.3-ton behemoth’s lithe and athletic appearance.
Inside, the standard Piano Black veneer in our test vehicle – made available locally less than a month after the first DBX707 customer car rolled off the assembly line at St Athan in Wales – was counterpoised by dark chrome and carbon fibre trim for the switchgear.
The sculpted sports seats with light-coloured bolsters and carbon-fibre backrests feature luminous yellow centre accents, giving the fairly roomy interior a luxurious yet sporty ambience and nicely complimenting the large, bright yellow brake callipers used on the wheels.
With an array of buttons and dials occupying the centre console, the push buttons for the gears and stop/start function have been moved unusually high up on the centre stack. This takes some getting used to, and you also need to familiarise yourself with the layout of all the driving and safety systems controls.
Scintillating Performance
Pushing the start button, I expected a cacophony of noise to erupt from the V8 and its four big-bore pipes, but it only emitted an uncharacteristically slight and civilised growl. Sitting next to me in the front passenger seat, Paul Collet, regional manager of Aston Martin, smiled when he saw my surprise.
“Yes, we purposely toned down the engine sound with start-up,” he said. “We felt it was unnecessary and uncouth to advertise the latent power of the DBX707 with noise.” After driving serenely out of the front gate of the Remhoogte Wine Estate, it did not take long to realise how right he was.
Selecting GT Sport on the Dynamic Driving mode, response from the AMG V8 is virtually immediate (and its familiar sound quite audible with the engine noise flap open), while gear changes are so fast and smooth they are almost indistinguishable.
With “Race Start” now available in GT Sport and Sport+ modes and revised active logic in the all-wheel-drive system, launch capability has improved – as we found during a couple of acceleration runs, with the special DBX squirming and writhing while it tried to maximise traction on the slightly damp road surface.
The fully automatic torque distribution and new electronic limited-slip rear differential (e diff) with a shorter final drive, plus detail changes to the eARC (Electronic Active Roll Control) and air suspension system, made a blast up Helshoogte Pass an absolute pleasure.
In the sweeps, the cornering ability of the DBX707 was more akin to a sports car than a big SUV. Its well-weighted steering and deadly Carbon Ceramic brakes further contribute to its sporty feel and dynamic character, and the influence of M (Herr Moers) in the development of this special car was palpable.
Final Word
So, technically, it may not be the fastest or most powerful SUV out there, but with all its attributes combined, the DBX707, in my view, outperforms any other contender in this class. It just feels more lithe and agile than the others, and therefore, for a quick cross-country jaunt, I know which would be my weapon of choice.
With 007’s Aston Martin DBS Superleggera (used in the 2021 Bond movie No Time To Die) recently auctioned off at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the superspy may be in need of a car for his next adventure. I am sure he would find the DBX707 soul-stirring and most agreeable.
However, with Daniel Craig not reprising the role of 007 and M leaving Aston Martin (the DBX707 was his swansong as he found working for the Gaydon outfit no Stroll in the park), as well as Aston Martin models now seemingly to be developed in Italy by ex-Ferrari executives, this may never happen.
Report by Ferdi de Vos | Images © Willie Botes (wsproductions.co.za) / Aston Martin
