The paint on the ‘regular’ DBX has only just cured when Aston Martin comes up with the DBX707. A superlative (and therefore not a facelift) that should primarily serve the most important sigh of relief. Because while everyone was wildly enthusiastic about the steering skills of the large SUV, the good community was slightly less about its motor bravura.
A lapsus – if you can call it that – where the engineers a suitable sleeve to expand by upgrading the existing four-liter V8 purchased from AMG. Or should we say: metamorphosis. After all, Aston Martin uses 157 hp and 200 Nm more from what was already a serious powerhouse. It brings the total to a staggering 707 hp and 900 Nm.
For those who suspect some electrical assistance here – after all, AMG also has a E Performancederivative of that V8 lying on the shelf – guess again. He only cares about adjustments to the turbo (the blades of which are now equipped with ball bearings) and a ‘specific calibration of the engine management’ (whatever that means). In short, pure mechanical gain, whereby Tobias Moers, Aston Martins CEO, subtly made it clear that the V8 is not yet at the end of its life.
Wet clutch
Also new: the wet clutch for the nine-speed automatic transmission. It will replace the torque converter in the DBX707. To be clear, this upgrade is not foreseen for the regular DBX, there the switching unit remains as it is.
The reason behind that switch is actually the reason all the way to this DBX707. The torque converter has a power limit, which explains why the potential of the entry-level DBX was/is perceived as ‘ordinary’. An additional advantage is that the wet clutch that now transmits the shift commands – a piece of technology that comes over from the AMG GT – is also provided for launch control. A Race Start with which this 2.2-ton DBX707 races past 100 km/h in 3.3 seconds. Topping does the British beast at 310 km/h.
A serious progress that requires equally serious anchors. Aston Martin screws a set of ceramic discs as standard on its DBX707 (420 mm at the front, 390 mm at the rear). This immediately explains the larger slits in the bumper: they should get even more cooling wind up to the brakes.
There was little to criticize about the chassis, which was completely made of aluminum, so the adjustments there mainly fall under the heading of ‘accent changes’. Although all those details together also account for 20% more torsional stiffness.
Furthermore, the technical summary of the DBX707 reads quite familiar. The adaptive dampers are still pneumatically sprung, the active roll bars (which use 48-volt assistance) flatten the body as much as possible and the differential can still send the full 100% of the power to the rear wheels.
Naturally, the adjustment of all those components was also examined and adjusted where necessary. Something that, however, should especially be felt in the Sport and Sport + setting, from which we deduce that the DBX707 in GT mode remains its comfortable self. Even though the even larger slippers (from 22 it is now optionally available up to 23 inches) will probably be that little bit clearer (read: harder).
Old Mercedes software
Just like on the outside – where the changes are characterized by a more pronounced grille or a modified roof spoiler – the differences in the interior are also rather limited. There are now some more shortcuts on the center tunnel so that you can choose your driving program instantly or open the valves in the exhaust without having to go to the Sport positions, but that’s about it.
Too bad, because it misses the opportunity to deal with the second most heard remark against the DBX: the outdated infotainment. That’s because that’s a Mercedes system from a previous decade. The adjustment wheel should provide the necessary adjustments and not the touch screen that has become established in the meantime.
Aston Martin, through its CEO, indicated that there are two reasons for leaving multimedia behind. First, it takes years to introduce Mercedes’ newer MBUX into an existing concept like the DBX. Second, Aston Martin is working on its own infotainment software that may introduce it sometime this year in its forthcoming V12 Vantage (that other new model the brand will launch in 2022).
sir Moers added that DBX707 owners will also not have the time to deal with the outdated layouts of the multimedia system, as “the motor pleasure they experience behind the wheel of this SUV coupe” will walk. That clientele will have to wait until April/May before being able to personally experience whether the helmsman of Aston Martin is right.
#Official #Aston #Martin #DBX707 #AutoWorld
