Aston Martin has revealed a new flagship variant of the sole SUV in its range, the DBX, and it brings more power and less weight but the same 0-100km/h acceleration and top speed figures as the DBX707, which was already one of the world’s quickest and fastest SUVs.
Dubbed the supercar of SUVs, the 2025 Aston Martin DBX S increases the power output of the large British wagon’s Mercedes-AMG sourced 4.0-litre twin-turbo petrol V8 to no less than 535kW – up from the 520kW (707hp) produced by the DBX707 and the 405kW figure of the standard DBX.
The DBX S also scores a carbon-fibre roof that looks undoubtedly cool and trims 47kg of mass from the DBX’s substantial 2245kg kerb weight, which Aston Martin says lowers centre of gravity to deliver more dynamic handling.
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However, peak torque remains unchanged from the DBX707’s 900Nm figure (up from the standard DBX’s 700Nm) and Aston Martin claims the same 0-100km/h acceleration time of 3.3 seconds and the same top speed of 310km/h.
Nevertheless, the 15kW power increase at the top of the V8’s rev range, which comes courtesy “turbo technology transferred directly from the upcoming Valhalla supercar” including larger compressor wheel diameters and other internal improvements, is said to shave 0.3 seconds off the SUV’s 0-200km/h acceleration time.
And the 3.3-second 0-100km/h time still makes the DBX S (and 707) as quick as the Ferrari Purosangue, Lamborghini Urus Performante and the Porsche Macan Electric Turbo and Cayenne Turbo GT, if not EVs like the Tesla Model X Plaid, Rivian R1S (neither of which are sold here) and the Lotus Eletre R.
Completing the mechanical changes is a modified exhaust system with staggered quad outboard outlets, “amplifying even more character to the natural voice of the thunderous V8 engine and exploiting the full the opportunity presented by the engine’s turbo enhancements”.
Like the DBX70, DBX S ditches a torque converter automatic transmission in favour of a nine-speed wet-clutch gearbox “delivering extreme performance on launch from standstill” and an all-wheel drive system that can send 50 per cent of torque to the front axle and up to 100 per cent to the rear wheels.
However, the DBX S transmission has been further modified with revised shift points to reflect the car’s extended rev range, while automatic downshifts in Sport and Sport+ modes are also now said to be even more aggressive.
Aston Martin says the DBX S continues its long tradition of using the ‘S’ suffix to denote special, high-performance versions of existing models, dating back to the 1953 DB3S and also including the 2005 Vanquish S, and proves that lighter and more powerful model variants are still very much part of its core product strategy.
But the DBX S isn’t just lighter and more powerful. Naturally, it also brings a host of cosmetic upgrades both inside and out, including one-piece S-badged carbon front seats, carbon front and rear splitters and side skirts with red edging, and carbon vents on the bonnet and front wings, plus a range of Alcantara and leather interior options.
“Over the last two years, Aston Martin have introduced an entire core collection of next generation sports cars as well as a new DBX; all with a new, entirely bespoke infotainment system designed in-house,” said Aston Martin CEO, Adrian Hallmark.
“The marque continues its focus on class leading performance, ultra-luxury design and innovation, broadening the range of products under each core model.
“The introduction of DBX S not only reaffirms our commitment to producing the most exciting, rewarding and beautiful cars, it also sends a powerful statement of intent about our ambitions not just for DBX, but for the Aston Martin brand.”
No pricing or Australian availability has yet been announced, but you can expect a significant premium over both the standard DBX ($387,500 before on-road costs) and the DBX707, which costs $429,000 plus on-roads.
