Aston Martin DBX707 takes aim at Lamborghini Urus

After a short but extensive teaser campaign, the covers have finally come off the 2022 Aston Martin DBX707 – the fastest and most powerful version of the British luxury brand’s inaugural SUV, designed solely to take the performance fight to Lamborghini, Porsche and Bentley.

Powered by a significantly upgraded version of the standard DBX’s Mercedes-AMG-sourced twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8, the Aston Martin DBX707’s performance credentials have also been stepped up via a new transmission, carbon-ceramic brakes, upgraded limited-slip differential, revamped suspension and enhanced drive modes.

Thanks to the installation of two new ball-bearing turbochargers and a more aggressive ECU tune, outputs from the force-fed German bent-eight have jumped by 115kW/200Nm to an incredible 520kW/900Nm.

Aston says that makes the DBX707 the world’s most powerful luxury SUV and the higher outputs are harnessed by a new nine-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission with a dedicated manual mode.

With drive still sent to all four wheels, Aston Martin says its flagship high-rider will spring to 100km/h in just 3.3 seconds with the help of ‘Race Start’ (launch control).

That matches the pace of the upcoming Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT (3.3sec, 471kW/850Nm) and makes it quicker than the Lamborghini Urus (3.6sec, 478kW/850Nm), both of which also pack a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8, but it falls short of the upcoming 760kW electric Tesla Model X Plaid, which is claimed to hit 100km/h in 2.6sec.

Hauling the DBX707 back up again is a new carbon-ceramic braking system packing 420mm discs up front and 390mm units at the rear, gripped by six-pot callipers at all four corners.

In addition to providing a heap more stopping power, Aston says the new set-up also shaves more than 40kg of unsprung mass from the still-portly luxury SUV.

Other chassis upgrades include retuned electric power steering, new adaptive damper valving and tweaked active roll control parameters.

All of these upgrades and the extra performance on tap are hinted at by the DBX707’s more aggressive exterior styling, which is headlined by a larger and now slatted radiator grille, bonnet louvres, an increased number of air intakes and redesigned front splitter.

The more aggressive design theme continues at the rear with enlarged diffuser, new roof-mounted lip spoiler, bigger exhaust outlets and extra air vents.

Tying the two ends together are a set of gloss-black side skirts and dark satin chrome window surrounds.

Things have been stepped up inside the cabin too, with a new lowered centre console and a new suite of drive mode switches designed to grant direct access to key performance functions and parameters including ESC settings, the active exhaust and suspension modes.

Other upgrades comprise 16-way power-adjustable sports front seats and dark chrome switchgear.

Aston Martin chief executive Tobias Moers said the DBX has always bucked the usual SUV concessions, but that things have been dialled up to a new level with the DBX707.

“With the DBX707 we have pushed the boundaries in every area to create a car which sets new standards of performance and desirability,” he said.

“The fastest, most powerful, best handling and most engaging car of its kind, it propels Aston Martin to the pinnacle of SUV performance.”

Exactly how long Aston Martin can hold onto that claim remains to be seen given Lamborghini is widely expected to be readying an even higher performance flagship for its facelifted Urus range, which is due to be revealed later in the year.

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