The Aston Martin DBX S takes all the muscular goodness of the the DBX707 and dials it up to 11. The DBX S formula is simple: Add power and reduce weight. The result is a roomy, hyper-luxurious SUV that will thunder from 0–60 mph in about 3.0 seconds on its way to a top speed of 193 mph.
The Mercedes-AMG-sourced 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 under the hood of the DBX S now produces 717 hp at 6250 rpm, an increase of 19 hp over the DBX707. The extra power is the result of turbocharger hardware that includes larger diameter compressors borrowed from the 816-hp version of the engine used in the mid-engine Valhalla supercar. Peak torque of 664 lb-ft remains unchanged from DBX707 spec.
The engine drives through a recalibrated version of the AMG Speedshift MCT nine-speed wet-clutch transmission. Upshift points have been adjusted to take account of the fact the engine’s peak power and torque now arrive 250 rpm and 500 rpm higher, respectively, than the in DBX707 version, while downshifts in Sport and Sport+ modes with the transmission in automatic have been made more aggressive.
How Much Lighter Can the DBX S Be?
Tick the right options and you can lighten the big Aston SUV by up to 104 pounds. The optional carbon fiber roof, the largest carbon panel ever fitted to an Aston Martin, will trim almost 40 pounds from the car while lowering its center of gravity, and the optional 23-inch magnesium wheels—the first magnesium wheels ever offered on an SUV—save 42 pounds of unsprung mass compared with the standard 23-inch forged aluminum pieces. A lightweight polycarbonate honeycomb grille is also available as an option.
The DBX S benefits from the suspension enhancements introduced on the DBX707 last year. These include a revised calibration of both the air springs and electronic dampers, increasing transient body control to reduce weight transfer and improve primary ride quality and overall stability.
The standard electronic roll control system means the DBX S rolls by no more 1.5 degrees even at the limit. The carbon-ceramic brakes are also carried over, with 16.5-inch rotors up front and 15.4-inch units at the rear, clamped by six-piston calipers with high-performance brake pads. One small but significant mechanical change is a four percent quicker steering rack designed to improve agility.
Apart from the S badges on the front fenders, the most obvious visual changes over the DBX707 are at the rear, which is dominated by stacked dual exhaust outlets in a redesigned rear bumper flanking a reprofiled diffuser.
These, plus the side sills, can ordered in carbon fiber to trim a further 15 pounds from the overall mass of the DBX S. A new lower livery design available in three colors (Rosso Corsa Red, Trophy Silver, Podium Green) highlights the front splitter and side sills and frames the stacked exhausts.
