British carmaker Aston Martin has always been associated with luxurious yet powerful sedans and sports cars. Now, the brand’s first SUV, the DBX, finally lands on our shores over a year after it made its global debut in 2019.
Aston Martin DBX | A New Dimension
The DBX’s arrival is due to the efforts of official Aston Martin distributor DBPhils Motorsports Inc., under the auspices of the Tagle Group of Companies. “In Asia Pacific countries that have commenced deliveries…the DBX has already built strong market share amongst the luxury SUVs,” says Aston Martin Director of Operations for Asia Patrik Nilsson. “We’re proud to have particularly strong market share right here in Asia Pacific.”
“We are confident that this move of Aston Martin will be warmly embraced by the Filipino market,” says Aston Martin Manila Chairman and President Marc Louie Tagle. “Aston Martin captures this passion and adds its trademark luxury and beauty for the ultimate driving experience.”
The British marque's first SUV finally arrives on our shores
“This is a pivotal moment for the brand, and we could not have been more excited to showcase this to the Philippine market,” according to Aston Martin Manila Marketing Head Fiel Tan. She expressed confidence that the DBX’s sports car heritage will live up to the expectations of the Aston Martin fan, despite being an SUV.
Exterior
The DBX uses bonded aluminum for its shell, resulting in a structure that brings rigidity yet reduces weight. On the vehicle’s front end, the trademark slatted ‘DB’ grille defines the fascia, sitting right between the Bi-LED automatic headlamps right below the clamshell hood. Twin air intakes on either side of the grille have their silhouettes highlighted by LED DRLs.
Aston Martin's distinctive 'DB' grille dominates the fascia
On the sides, razor-sharp creases run parallel to the high beltline on the frameless doors, complementing the side vents just beyond the front wheel arches. The flipped-up tail at the back is accompanied by a wraparound LED light blade, while the roof wing provides downforce and keeps the rear window clear. Two designs and six finishes are available for the 22-inch alloy wheels, with more bespoke options courtesy of Aston Martin’s Q personalization service.
Interior
There's ample seating for five on the DBX’s opulent interior, with seats decked out in full grain leather from Aston Martin’s longtime partner Bridge of Weir. The headliner and sunroof shade are rendered in an Alcantara finish, a first in the industry. Wood accents throughout the cabin add a premium feel.
The interior teems with luxury for up to five occupants
Occupants can load 491 liters of cargo on the rear compartment by default, expandable up to 632 liters with the 40/20/40 split-fold rear seats. The power tailgate can even be opened through gesture control, ideal for when your hands are occupied.
Tech & safety
Drivers will be treated to a large 12.3-inch display that acts as the vehicle’s instrument panel, while a 10.21-inch touchscreen is showcased on the DBX’s expansive dashboard. Apple CarPlay is standard, and the head unit is patched to an 800-watt 14 speaker system. Journeys are made even more relaxing with the 64-color ambient lighting split into two zones.
Transmission buttons rest on top of the touchscreen head unit
Safety features on the DBX include six airbags, ISOFix anchors, anti-lock brakes, traction control, emergency brake assist, and roll-over stability control. There’s even driver-assist tech on board, such as adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, and traffic sign recognition.
Engine & drivetrain
Nestled in the engine bay is a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 built entirely by hand, based on a power plant from Mercedes-AMG. The resulting mill is rated at 524 hp and 700 Nm of torque, paired with an active exhaust system. Zero to 100 km/h has been clocked at 4.5 seconds, with a top speed of 291 km/h. Cylinder deactivation technology assists in fuel efficiency.
The powerful 4.0-liter twin-scroll V8 is based on a Mercedes-AMG engine
A nine-speed automatic gearbox routes power to the ground, through the all-wheel drivetrain’s active differentials that allow for more precise torque distribution. The DBX features adaptive triple volume air suspension that works with a 48-volt electric anti-roll control system and electronic adaptive dampers to enhance both comfort and handling.
Pricing
The Aston Martin DBX lives up to its maker’s premium reputation, with a price tag of Php 24.5 million for the lone variant available. Customization options are expected to raise the sticker price even more. If you want to ogle the DBX in the metal, it’s now on display at the Aston Martin Philippines showroom in BGC, Taguig.
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