After several teasers posted online and duping us into thinking it will bear a different name, Aston Martin finally took the veils off its latest creation, the DBX707. This is the most powerful version of the company’s popular SUV and it comes with some very interesting claims to its name, the most important one being that it is now the world’s fastest SUV.
So, what’s different on the DBX707? In short: quite a lot. Let’s start with the most important detail – the power. Under the hood of the Aston Martin DBX707 you’ll find the same 4-liter twin-turbo V8 from Mercedes-AMG that the ‘regular’ DBX uses. However, in this case, we’re looking at an upgraded model that comes with a new pair of ball-bearing turbos, new engine calibration and a new intake and exhaust system. The end result is a whopping 697 HP (707 metric horsepower, hence the name) and 663 lb-ft of torque.
However, power is useless without control, and Aston Martin deserves credit for putting a lot of effort into the DBX707’s drivetrain. For starters, a new nine-speed wet-clutch transmission with automated and manual settings enables faster shifts. The rear e-diff has been upgraded, and it now has a shorter 3:27 final drive for faster acceleration. The all-wheel-drive system is still automated, transferring power to the front or rear wheels as needed, but the e-diff has been calibrated to help with cornering.
The chassis has been reinforced, and the air suspension has been updated with new dampers and springs to reduce body roll. This works in tandem with modifications to the Electronic Active Roll Control (eARC) technology to reduce errant DBX motions even further. The brakes are bigger too, six-piston calipers clasping carbon-ceramic disc brakes measuring 16.5 inches in front and 15.4 inches in back.
The steering system was also given a once-over, adding a bit of weight to the steering wheel feel on the road. As for the wheels department, we’re looking at 22-inch ones as standard, going up to 23 inches as an optional add-on. Inside the cabin we’re met with luxurious touches, as per usual in an Aston Martin, the DBX707 getting Sport seats with dark chrome trim as standard. Comfort seats with traditional brighter chrome or carbon fiber finishes are optional. The lower console is specific to the DBX707, as it features manual controls for various drive and exhaust modes.
Other changes have also been done on the outside. The front fascia now has an even bigger grille, to help feed more air into the engine bay, redesigned daytime running lights as well as a big front splitter. Round the back there’s a rather huge diffuser making an appearance, along with a quad-tailpipe setup.
But what about the speed? Aston Martin says that the DBX707 is the only performance SUV that can do a proper high-rev launch. When activated, “Race Start” mode shoves the DBX707 from standstill to 60 mph in 3.1 seconds and the car will go up to a top speed of 193 mph. That’s more than any other SUV on the market right now. As for the pricing, that’s going to start at $232,000 without destination and handling. Production is slated to kick off this quarter, with the first deliveries scheduled for Q2.
