Is it reliable for a luxury supercar brand to make an SUV? Test drive interpretation of Aston Martin DBX

DBX is Aston Martin’s first SUV model in its 107-year history. Mercedes-Benz provided the engine, gearbox and electrical system for it, while the body structure, suspension tuning, and interior and exterior decoration design were all handled by "itself". It is true that URUS and Cayenne next door have already made a lot of money, and Martin's entry is also expected. However, the doubts it has to face are the same as those of Porsche and Lamborghini: Are sports car manufacturers making SUVs unreliable or are they really good?

The only way to overcome doubts is to show parameters. DBX is powered by a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine provided by Mercedes-AMG. As the star model of AMG, you can see it under the hood of various AMG models. At the same time, it is also adopted by Aston Martin DB11 and Vantage. On the DBX, this 4.0T twin-turbo V8 can output a maximum horsepower of 550 horsepower and a peak torque of 700 Nm, and transmits power to all four wheels through the Mercedes-Benz 4Matic full-time four-wheel drive system. The transmission system is matched with a 9-speed automatic transmission, and an active center differential and a rear axle electronic limited-slip differential are also added to the rear. Although almost no one will use it for off-roading, we still dare not neglect the hardware aspect. .

In terms of size, the length, width and height of DBX are 5039/1998/1680 mm respectively, which is longer and wider than the Range Rover SV at the same price. However, the wheelbase and vehicle height are slightly inferior. The reason why we moved out the Range Rover SV is that, firstly, the two are serious competitors in terms of pricing, and secondly, we want to show that when the two are of similar size, DBX not only has more interior space, but also has sufficient overall quality to rival its rivals. 15 lighter. In terms of acceleration performance, the DBX accelerates to 100 kilometers per hour in 4.3 seconds, which is a full 0.6 seconds faster than the Range Rover SV. Thanks to the 9-speed automatic transmission, its fuel economy is also better. At a cruising speed of 110 kilometers per hour, The engine speed is only 1300 rpm.

In addition, the air suspension equipped on DBX also comes with an active anti-roll system provided by ZF. This technology is also derived from Mercedes-Benz and can achieve a more stable cornering attitude of the body and assist driving. for better body response during intense driving. And combined with the six drive modes provided by the vehicle, the body height, steering feel, and suspension softness and hardness can be adjusted according to the owner's preferences.

In the default GT mode, DBX will provide the driver with a smooth throttle effect and a soft acceleration feeling. The steering and suspension are also gentle in character. At this time, the ground clearance of the body is 190 mm; in Terrain mode, the body height will be increased to 221 mm, and the other settings will remain unchanged; the next Terrain mode will further increase the ground clearance to 236 mm, providing the basic conditions for "playing in the mud".

The chassis can be raised or lowered. In the sport mode, the ride height can be lowered to 175 mm, while the throttle and transmission response are enhanced. The steering is set to sport and the steering damping is improved. In Sport? mode, the height of the car body from the ground is only 160 mm, and the gas coming out of the exhaust pipe becomes more violent. In addition, both modes also enhance the damping of the shock absorbers. As for the difference, one is harder and the other is harder.

How does it feel to drive?

In GT mode, the most correct way to open DBX is undoubtedly to find a highway or forest trail with good road conditions, listen to music, and hum a tune. , enjoy the comfort and comfort brought by this mobile 3 million. At this time, the 9-speed automatic transmission will sort out the power in a smooth and silky manner, and the accelerator and brake pedals will not dominate the scene, causing an uncomfortable experience for the car owner. At the same time, most of the vibrations on the suspension road will be dispersed by the shock absorbers and seats, leaving only the calmness called "high-end feeling".

After switching to Sport? mode, the DBX with a sudden change in personality shows independent characteristics that other high-performance SUVs do not have.

In this mode, violent power, tight suspension, and heavy steering are all eager to join this crazy party, trying to quickly inflate the atmosphere in the cabin. Along with the deep and deep sound, the pointer in the tachometer will always be on. Swinging rhythmically up and down at 7000 rpm, the inner joy and tension will also increase exponentially. If you want to truly experience the exquisiteness brought by DBX, going to the track is the wisest choice. Select Sport? mode, then turn off all electronic assistance systems and be prepared to lose control. But what is surprising is that DBX will not make you feel inadequate in the battle with the laws of physics. Its posture in corners is quite stable and controllable, thanks to the full-time four-wheel drive system and differential control of the power of each wheel. Precise distribution, no other SUV including Porsche Cayenne Turbo, Bentley Bentayga or even Lamborghini URUS can be as agile and precise as it. However, if you refuel too early when exiting a corner, it may cause the vehicle to understeer. Fortunately, even so, you only need to release the accelerator to stabilize the vehicle again.

As for off-roading, DBX is naturally not a "rock climber", but it can easily handle some moderately difficult off-road sections. In "Terrain" mode, if a wheel is suspended in the air, the active anti-roll system can extend the suspension stroke on the suspended side through the travel height sensor on the wheel, allowing the tire to regain adhesion and greatly improving the vehicle's ability to escape difficulties. However, due to the 22-inch rim, which is the largest wheel used in the history of Aston Martin, you can easily let yourself go when crossing. Coupled with the flatness ratio of 40 to 35, I advise you to take it easy, otherwise the tire will blow out in a minute. You see.

Aston Martin DBX Appearance

The designers of DBX have put in a lot of effort. If they just use elements from their own sports cars and copy them mechanically, consumers will definitely not buy it. The front end of DBX is dominated by the iconic oversized "Martin face", which has no loss of muscle, movement and recognition. The sculptural side lines of the car are matched with the outward-expanding contours, and the sense of strength is fully demonstrated. The falling upper window line and the rising lower window line intersect with the thick C, allowing DBX to incorporate the dynamic stance of its own sports car.

As for the rear of the car, DBX has a pair of extremely sexy buttocks and is also an implementer of minimalism. The same taillights as Vantage are simple and precise, and the wavy shape is also injected with Aston... Martin is elegant at heart, and it complements the huge diffuser below, creating an extremely three-dimensional and fierce rear view.

Aston Martin DBX interior

The interior style of DBX directly copies the family sample. However, its material selection and detail processing have closely followed the trend of the times. But if you think Martin should be born with an old-school style, then the manufacturer also provides wood grain decorative panels attached to the center console and door trim. If you like, you can also choose to use 80% wool blend material on the seats, or choose linen composite trim panels, etc. In short, no matter what option is selected, the factory's craftsmen will have to pay more than 200 hours of craftsmanship for the interior.

In terms of multimedia, the emergence of a full LCD instrument panel has brought some trendy meaning to this ancient brand. Each driving mode will correspond to a different UI interface. If you know a lot about Mercedes-Benz , then in DBX, both the screen display and the physical button arrangement can be seen as racing.

The riding experience of DBX did not disappoint. The ventilated and heated front seats are very comfortable, and the seat adjustment module is no longer placed on the door panel like Mercedes-Benz, but is placed on a conventional location.

There are also places to complain. First of all, the densely packed function buttons on the DBX steering wheel take some time to become familiar with their uses; secondly, Martin's iconic PRND button shift is placed at the top of the center console, which makes the operation inelegant.

Finally, let’s talk about space. The space performance in the rear of DBX is very good, even better than that of Rolls-Royce Cullinan. This is definitely another major selling point besides performance.

The storage capacity of the trunk is also remarkable. After folding the seats, the flat floor makes it easy to transport large items.

Written at the end: Today’s big guys who flaunt performance have chosen the route of high-horsepower control, thereby ignoring the demands of SUVs for home use. The DBX is completely the opposite. Compared with its competitors, it performs more comprehensively. In addition to bringing you a control experience that is not inferior to that of a supercar, it also has outstanding performance in space and convenience. It is more like a car. A GT sports car that pays attention to practicality can be elegant, sporty, flirtatious and at home. If you have a budget of 3 million, then DBX is definitely a reliable choice.

Text/Tie Ge

This article comes from the author of Autohome Chejiahao and does not represent the views and positions of Autohome.