I’ve driven Aston Martin’s DBX707 before; an all-too brief blast in August 2022 from Dormy House in The Cotswolds, down to Clivedon House – where the scandalous Profumo affair is said to have started – and back again. I wound my way down on A –roads through the Cotswolds (AML’s PR people do seem to love The Cotswolds) before cruising my way back via an almost unnaturally empty the M40. As memorable as such a day was – Aston Martin even stumped–up for breakfast – there was never going to enough time to truly discover whether or not Gaydon’s four-wheel drive flagship really is the day-to-day useable Sports SUV they claim it to be. Needless to say, more time behind the wheel was what was really required.
Up until the recent appearance of the 715bhp Ferrari Purosangue – the Italian’s first ever four-door, four-wheel drive, four seater – Aston Martin’s DBX707 was the fastest, most powerful SUV you could buy this side of The Atlantic. 707 alludes the metric power output of the Mercedes Benz sourced twin-turbo V8 that sits behind that oh-so familiar looking, but in this case much bigger, Aston Martin front grille. 707PS equates to 697bhp.
Weighing-in at a hefty a 2.2 tonnes unladen, the DBX might no-longer claim the outright sports SUV power honours, nevertheless, it’s still more than capable of carrying five-people (One more than the Ferrari, albeit, the fifth carried on a narrow and thinly-padded middle rear seat), their luggage, and their Labradors, in hand-stitched leather-lined luxury.
The DBX707 is also capable of 0-62mph in 3.3 seconds – no-doubt to the detriment of it’s already almost unsociable 19.8 mpg thirst – and where such things might be possible, 193mph flat-out.
Not that much of that particularly bothered me.
Out here in The Far Unlit Unknown (aka The Welsh Marches) of far more importance is how well a car rides over what passes for tarmac in these regularly flooded and frost-bitten parts. And also whether or not an SUV of such size and girth – not to mention cost – as the DBX707 can be comfortably threaded down narrow and twisty B-road with what we motoring-writers usually euphemise as “conviction”. What’s the point of all of that power if you can’t actually use it now and again?
Incidentally, should alternative types of country pursuit be more your thing, the DBX707 can tow 2.7 tonnes of horsebox (Or boat, or classic racing car); a retractable tow bar is just one of myriad bespoke options.
On the rare occasion when you do get the opportunity to fully open the taps, the DBX707 feels brisk rather than break-neck fast. It’ll deal with the dawdlers with ease – of course it will – but ultimately, nearly 700bhp in something weighing as much this means things happen quickly rather than being frightening.
What can’t quibbled over however, is the way the DBX707 gets around the corners. The steering is excellent; weighty, direct, full of feel. And to help keep things level and reduce body roll, there’s electric anti-roll bars, and 50% stiffer top mounts for the suspension. The result is a ride that’s taut, but never jarring. The DBX707 flows over undulations with aplomb, and feels every bit like an Aston Martin should, devouring long distances like a great grand-tourer should.
It can also entertain. Twist the little manettino switch around to Sport Mode and 95 % of the power is sent to directly the rear axle – that’s more than enough to provoke a little indulgent oversteer out of roundabouts and favourite corners. You can wiggle the DBX707 – where space allows – like you can an MX-5; across country it can genuinely be a lot of fun.
But… On a wet and windy night’s drive to Wolverhampton recently, on a road I’m not so familiar with – especially-so in the dark – the DBX707 and I were all-too rightly outclassed by a local (Yokel?) driving a diesel Peugeot 308. Progress is clearly not always about the car you’re driving,
That said, should funds at some point reach such levels that the DBX707 became affordable, (A pipe dream, I know), after having sampled most of its competition, and increased familiarity now withstanding, the DBX707 may well have become my luxury sports SUV of choice.
Aston Martin DBX 707
Engine: 3,982cc 32V Twin-turbo V8. Petrol
Transmission: 9-Speed, paddle-shift auto, e diff, all-wheel drive
Power: 697 bhp @ 6,000 rpm
Torque: 663 lbft @ 2,600 – 5,000 rpm
0-62 mph: 3.3 Sec
Max Speed: 193 mph
Weight: 2,245 kg
CO2: 323 g/km (NEDC)
mpg 19.8 (combined)
Price: from £194,500
Many thanks to Jane, Jessica, and Sophie at Aston Martin.
Thanks too to Kenneth Au.
@bird_liam
www.astonmartin.com
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