Aston Martin DBX SUV exposed

Aston Martin is clearly serious about the mud-slinging ability of its upcoming DBX luxury SUV. Indeed, if you thought we were only going to see a jacked-up version of the Aston Martin Rapide barely capable of mounting kerbs at shopping centres and providing the rich and famous another expensive SUV to flit between the art gallery and the ballet, think again.

Based on the latest images revealed by the British sports car brand, the Aston Martin DBX appears to be a serious attempt at an all-road SUV.

Expected to go on sale in late 2019, the Aston Martin DBX development car was flogged around a demanding 'Welsh Rally stage' says the company. It's the beginning of global development regime that will take in a diverse (and extreme) range of environments from the deserts of the Middle East to the Arctic tundra and, of course, regular Aston haunts like the German autobahn and Nürburgring.

As the UK car-maker points out, the new SUV must "perform with the verve and poise of a true Aston Martin" but also have convincing off-road chops and be able to tow something equally expensive.

Covered in bright camouflage (with watch company 'sponsorship'), the Aston Martin DBX development prototype vehicle features a bold front end with signature Aston Martin grille profile. Despite the four-door layout and increased ground clearance, the car still displays some distinct DB and Vantage genetics.

Aston Martin is being tight-lipped on what engine will be under the vented bonnet but there's been talk of an inline six-cylinder AMG powertrain for affordable models. Expect a biturbo V8 (also an Mercedes-AMG unit) rangetopper to be followed by hybrid and EV models down the track.

An entirely new manufacturing facility in St Athan, Wales, has been commissioned to build the new Aston Martin DBX SUV, which is tipped to quickly become the brand's top-selling model – much as the Macan and Cayenne outpaced sales of the Boxster, Cayman and 911 for Porsche.

The high-tech Welsh car factory will also become the 'Home of Electrification' for Aston Martin. The DBX will join current Aston Martin models DB11, Vantage, DBS, Vanquish, Rapide and Valkyrie hypercar.

Aston Martin Chief Engineer, Matt Becker, was behind the wheel of the DBX prototype for the official film and was clearly chuffed with the progress.

"It's always a big day when you get to put the first actual miles on an early prototype and I'm delighted with the near perfect correlation between the simulator and this prototype," Becker said.

"As an engineer, it's genuinely exciting to get a feel for the car you’re working to create. DBX is a very different kind of Aston Martin, but we will be testing it in all conditions and across all terrains to ensure it delivers a driving experience worthy of the wings badge," he stated.