Long-awaited model arrives 11 years after the first concept SUV was shown in Geneva.
Aston Martin began production of the DBX sport utility this week, with the first DBX rolling off the assembly line in a brand-new manufacturing site at St. Athan in Wales, U.K. The long-awaited SUV, development of which began in 2015, will start rolling into showrooms this summer with its sights set on a vast field of competitors, most of which have been around for the better part of the last decade. The DBX will aim for the performance side of the spectrum, with plans to challenge the likes of the Porsche Cayenne rather than heavier and plusher offerings like the Bentley Bentayga.
We’ve driven the DBX in a place about as different from Wales as possible—the deserts of Oman—finding it surprisingly fun off-road, even though in practice we imagine that very few owners will actually use it thusly. Powered by a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 good for 542 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque with a nine-speed automatic transmission sending those horses to all four wheels (but mostly to the rears), the DBX is meant to be a rocket on-road and off-, offering 0-60-mph blasts of 4.3 seconds. Made from aluminum to keep weight down, the DBX is designed to be competent on trails, featuring adaptive dampers among its list of standard goodies. With a towing capacity of 5,940 pounds, the DBX is also designed to be a capable machine rather than a toy to be found parked in front of fancy restaurants.
“With its all-wheel-drive system, DBX is a car that will allow the company to increase its presence in markets where perhaps the weather or terrain is less than conducive to rear-wheel-drive sports cars,” the automaker said. “The clear emphasis on a spacious and luxurious cabin—whether seated in the front or back—will also allow Aston Martin to better reach customers who prefer to be driven rather than drive.”
More than inaugurating the launch of a new vehicle, Aston Martin also celebrated the start of production at an all-new facility in Wales, an old RAF site, work on which began at a tumultuous time for the automaker and for the auto industry in the U.K. due to Brexit concerns.
The start of DBX production and the launch of operations at St. Athan come just weeks following the departure of Andy Palmer as CEO, with AMG head Tobias Moers taking his spot amid deepening ties with Mercedes-Benz.
“It is a real privilege to be here today to witness the completion of the first production Aston Martin DBX,” said Aston Martin interim chief operating officer Keith Stanton. “I’m extremely proud of the Aston Martin team who have worked so hard to transform this ex-Ministry of Defense site into a world-class car manufacturing facility, to now be producing cars, it is testament to the resilience and fortitude of everyone at Aston Martin. It is an honor to see the first DBX come off the line and my only regret is that everyone who works for this incredible brand can’t be here to witness it.”
Perhaps like no other vehicle for the past three decades, the DBX needs to be a success for Aston Martin. The automaker has had a rough two years leading up to the debut of the DBX, enduring a significant plunge in stock since its IPO and recently requiring a lifeline from Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll, who took a large stake in the automaker even before the coronavirus pandemic further hampered sales at a crucial moment for the company. Aston Martin had also canceled an electric version of the Rapide at the 11th hour and put its electrification plans on hold, which include turning Lagonda into its EV sub-brand.
The DBX itself is viewed by industry analysts as something that Aston Martin really needed five years ago, when luxury SUV sales in China began to skyrocket. Aston Martin had toyed with the idea of an SUV for far longer, unveiling a controversially styled concept all the way back in 2009.
China still remains the single most promising market for the DBX, having seen a quick recovery from the pandemic when it comes to luxury car sales, and is likely to be the single most fruitful market for the DBX for its entire product cycle. That product cycle is expected to see the debut of an all-electric version of the DBX, due in a few years, as well as a performance AMR version of the SUV and even a three-row variant that could appear as soon as next year.