ASTON MARTIN

Aston Martin DBX S first test drive: the level beyond Ferrari Purosangue power in the DBX S we tested

If the S that identifies the highest-performance Aston Martin has been applied to its most iconic models for almost a century (it will be celebrated in 2027), one wouldn't expect it to also identify the DBX, the British brand's best-selling car worldwide. And, curiously, it will even be ahead of the DBX707, which we all consider one of the most extreme off-road vehicles on the planet.

But the history of the Aston Martin DBX is curious: although during its four-year lifespan it offered six-cylinder and 'civilized' V8 versions (depending on the market), customer demand was overwhelming for the DBX707... so much so that the Gaydon team restructured its lineup, leaving this version as the only one, until now, the S has arrived to offer even more. 

More powerful than the Ferrari Purosangue and its V12...Its calling card couldn't be more attractive: 727 horsepower, 20 more than its counterpart from the previous year. To achieve this, it used technology from the Valhalla hypercar, incorporating turbochargers to achieve a significant leap in performance.

Because with the 727 horsepower extracted from its 4.0-liter V8 engine manufactured by AMG and customized by Aston Martin, it surpasses by two... the Ferrari Purosangue and its all-new naturally aspirated V12 (also becoming the most powerful pure combustion engine in the segment). This is perhaps more important than having gained three tenths of a second in acceleration from 0 to 200 km/h (0 to 100 remains at 3.3 seconds) or the fact that its top speed of 330 km/h has not changed.

The engine (now with more linear power delivery, but also with more power at the top of the rev range) is mated to a nine-speed automatic gearbox that distributes torque between the two axles via an active center differential (capable of making the DBX S a pure rear-wheel drive car most of the time) and an electronic limited-slip differential for the rear wheels. Enough weapons, in fact, for the DBX S to handle scenarios like good roads (it's best not to expose the 23" wheels... or a track day on a circuit.

The latter—but also on mountain roads—is where we'll best appreciate the benefits of its advanced chassis with active roll control, consisting of three-chamber air shock absorbers and lockable stabilizers (or deactivateable for greater comfort off-road or over bumps and speed bumps). Aston Martin technicians explained to us that the DBX S's chassis controls body roll even better than the Vantage (a two-seater sports car)... that's saying something.

Behind the wheel of the Aston Martin DBX S...Before we begin, it's worth highlighting an important aspect that comforts us as soon as we get behind the wheel. We clearly remember that the last DBX707 we tested didn't have a touchscreen... oddly enough. It was still operated by an antiquated rotary control system. inherited from Mercedes-Benz, but now things have changed... radically.

Because not only do we have a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, but also a 10.25-inch touchscreen in the center of the dashboard. It's also the first in the industry to be compatible with the new Apple CarPlay Ultra, an evolution of the smartphone interface that now allows us to control many more vehicle functions (not just maps or music streaming, but also the radio, climate control, and even some parameters like ADAS). You won't see it in any other car in Europe (apart from Aston Martin) until 2026.

The screen is, or isn't, a bit smaller than the current standard (although we don't mind, as it's large enough to operate it)... but the upside is that it softens the exquisite cabin finish (you can choose between leather and leather/Alcantara), which also has an exciting sporty feel. The downside is that, as we discovered during our test, due to its orientation, the monitor can be reflective on sunny days.

But as soon as we press the start button, the screens disappear from our senses, which focus on enjoying the melody of the V8 and the dynamic benefits of the sophisticated chassis with air suspension and active stabilizers that make you feel like you're in anything...except a 1.7-meter-tall, 2,200-kilogram SUV.

Even in the initial GT mode, the engine sound drowns out the sound of the standard 14-speaker premium audio system. As soon as we pass the mid-range of the tachometer, the tension penetrates the passengers' ears in the form of a roar that increases in decibels with the Sport and Sport+ modes... to the point of becoming tiresome. Especially if you're taking a long drive, as we did, on a steep road like the Mallorcan roads we traveled during our DBX S test drive.

Anyone familiar with the island's roads knows they're mostly narrow, especially for a monster like the DBX, which is nearly two meters wide. However, they became the ideal setting to discover the virtues of its steering, modified compared to the DBX707 to make the S more direct (by 5%, to be exact). Despite the curves, it was very easy to maneuver the car quickly and precisely into the lane... without the need for rear-axle steering (Aston ruled out this option to avoid weight gain).

Because the DBX S is also 47 kilograms lighter than the DBX707... although you have to pay for that: for example, to install the enormous 3.8-square-meter carbon roof (18 kilograms lighter) or the spectacular 23-inch magnesium wheels (the first time they've been used at Aston Martin, with a total saving of 19 kilograms), the two elements that stand out the most on the scale (the grille can also shave three kilograms off the overall package).

There are other new aesthetic elements, such as the more aerodynamic side skirts, or the imposing rear diffuser, all made from a single piece of carbon (seven kilograms lighter... but it's best not to lean on it from behind) and with a new arrangement of the dual, vertical, and diagonal exhausts, which, according to Aston Martin engineers, generate a more exciting sound.

As for the price...it's something that doesn't compare to the Purosangue. In fact, it's well below the nearly half-million-euro price tag of the Aston Martin SUV. Ferrari. The Aston Martin DBX S arrives in Spain starting at 262,336 euros... which, in reality, will be a few thousand more due to the customization options it offers its customers.

Autonews