Aston Martin DBX707 is fastest-ever SUV

Under the bonnet is a development of the familiar 4.0-litre twin-turbo Mercedes-AMG V8. With 707PS (519kW) and 900NM (663lb-ft), it’s by far the most powerful installation of this motor, minus the flat-plane crank version in the AMG GT Black Series. The added punch comes courtesy of an Aston Martin-led overhaul, with ball bearing turbos added among other supporting enhancements and cooling. It’s an impressive mill, though we sense twitching eyebrows in Detroit over that “most powerful SUV ever” claim given the existence of the 720PS Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat.

Channelling that power to all four wheels is a new nine-speed wet-clutch transmission, bringing faster gear changes and increased strength, compared to the torque converter of the standard car. The 157PS (115kW) bump in power and more athletic gearbox ensure a healthy increase in performance, with 62 easily arriving in 3.3 seconds. It’s certainly the fastest OEM SUV ever, with a 193mph claimed top speed, beating out the 190mph Bentley Bentayga Speed. In acceleration, it’s a match for the Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT, though it outpaces it by 4mph. Obviously arresting all that speed in what remains a 2.25-tonne car would be difficult, if not for the F1-derived carbon-ceramic brakes with monstrous 420mm discs up front gripped by six-piston callipers. Incidentally, they also bring a 40.5kg unsprung weight reduction.

The incredible turn of acceleration is thanks in part to the shorter final drive in the strengthened limited-slip diff and a new “Race Start” launch mode. The suspension, while not revolutionised, is overhauled, with revised components and a new tune for the DBX707, managing heave, pitch and roll more tightly. All in all this hot rod DBX ought to go faster, corner flatter stop harder and feel better, which is an appetising proposition given the standard car is a class-leader dynamically.

You won’t mistake it for a standard DBX, that’s for sure. A typical steroidal aesthetic treatment is very much in evidence, with every one of those extra ponies on show. The front is more aggressive, with new day-running LED slits sitting within larger vents that hug the engorged grille, replacing the standard car’s more shapely items. It sits on enormous optional 23-inch wheels (22-inch items are standard) and round the back, packs a bigger spoiler, a monster diffuser and a set of quad exhausts. Naturally, lashings of carbon fibre can be added in exterior styling packages at the buyer’s behest.

On the inside, it’s that familiar concoction of alcantara, smoked metals, standard-fit sports seats and should you option it, more carbon fibre, to remind you you’re in the hopped-up model. There’s also a new drive mode selector and a dedicated button for the sports exhaust. A track car pretender the DBX707 isn’t, mind. It retains all the toys and creature comforts of the standard car, including heated seats for all four occupants. The opportunity to spend limitless money is wide open still with a quick call to Q, who will kit your DBX out with everything from tinted carbon trim, to bronze metal mesh veneers. 

Prices remain for now under wraps, though we’re expecting a Bentley Bentayga Speed-matching £200,000 price point near enough. Most of these will land on driveways with a tag north of £250,000 once enough boxes are ticked. Production will begin shortly, with deliveries expected in the second quarter of this year. So, is the DBX707 your flavour of super SUV at the moment, or are you more swayed by the more outlandish Lamborghini Urus or the more affordable Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT? We’ll be curious to hear your thoughts.