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Aston Martin on Wednesday gives us our first look at its highly anticipated SUV with the reveal of an early prototype.
The automaker also confirmed the DBX name for the next year. The reveal is scheduled for late 2019, suggesting we'll see it as a 2020 model.
Some readers will recall that Aston Martin used the DBX name for a 2015 concept previewing the SUV (shown below). There were rumors that the automaker would go with a different name for production, with Varekai being one of the suggestions. Instead, the automaker has chosen to stick with DBX which links the SUV with the DB line of sports cars.
Judging from the photos and video, the DBX will be a small SUV with proportions similar to those of the Alfa Romeo Stelvio. We're looking at a very early prototype so design will evolve as development progresses. There is also a lot of camo gear, including fake panels, tacked on the true shape.
We know the SUV will utilize a new platform developed for a high-riding vehicle capable of off-road conditions. Specifically, Aston Martin will focus on the SUV's mass, size and purpose. This is a new type of testing for the automaker.
For the first real-world test, Aston Martin Chief Engineer Matt Becker drove a prototype along a Welsh Rally stage. Eventually, prototypes will be sent around the globe to tackle the harshest environments, from the frozen Arctic and scorching deserts of the Middle East to high Alpine passes and the high-speed demands of the German autobahn and Nürburgring racetrack.
Aston Martin DBX concept
While Aston Martin first imagined the SUV as an electric car, that has changed due to the revival of Lagonda as Aston Martin's new electric car brand. CEO Andy Palmer confirmed Aston Martin dropped plans for the electric powertrain in April. However, a hybrid powertrain is a possibility. The standard powertrain meanwhile will likely be the 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V-8 Aston Martin sources from Mercedes-AMG.
As mentioned above, production will be in Wales, at Aston Martin at St Athan plant currently under construction. The plant will start with the production of the rapid electric sedan and then the DBX, followed by a pair of Lagonda offerings early next decade.
The DBX is the fourth of seven cars under Aston Martin's Second Century plan. DBS Superleggera Vantage and new DBS. After the DBX will come a Vanquish supercar and then a Lagonda SUV and sedan. Aston Martin will then repeat the seven-cycle cycle with redesigned models. And along the way we will see Valkyrie and 003 Hypercars.
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