The world of luxury is undergoing a subtle shift. Gone are the days of ostentatious displays of wealth, replaced by a new wave of discerning individuals who value understated elegance and experiential richness. This is the era of quiet luxury, where true luxury lies in the details, the craftsmanship, and the experiences it unlocks, rather than loud logos and excessive ornamentation.
Quiet luxury isn’t about minimalism; it’s about intentionality. It’s about rejecting the fleeting trends and focusing on quality materials, timeless design, and bespoke experiences that resonate on a deeper level. It’s about surrounding yourself with things that enrich your life, not just your Instagram feed. This philosophy is translating into every aspect of luxury goods, from fashion and jewelry to cars.
In the crowded luxury SUV space is filled with brands vying for attention and ever-higher levels of opulence and technology, the DBX707 isn’t your typical SUV. It exudes power and sophistication in a way that’s subtle yet undeniable. The sleek lines, the handcrafted Q leather interior, and the subtle use of contrast stitching whisper luxury, rather than shouting it. The DBX707 is a wolf in a perfectly tailored bespoke Savile Row suit.
A Symphony of Luxury and Design
The DBX design merges the elegance of Aston Martin sports cars with SUV functionality and the DBX707 ups the ante with a series of styling changes in both form and function. The signature ‘DB’ grille in satin chrome has been enlarged with dramatic effect to increase cooling airflow together with new air intakes, brake cooling ducts and streamlined daytime-running lights. The gloss black splitter and side sills feature a deeper, sculpted profile accentuating the muscular definition of the DBX707 and complementing the louvered blades on the hood and dark satin chrome window surrounds.
The tailgate of the DBX is inspired by the unique design of the Vantage that incorporates the rear spoiler. A new lip spoiler has been added to the roof wing to reduce lift and increase high speed stability. The DBX707 also features a significantly enlarged twin rear diffuser that integrates the huge quad exhausts and rises to meet the rear bumper with integrated quarter panels that house the 23-inch wheels. This rear quarter view is my favorite angle of the DBX707 is exudes power, performance, and purpose, yet accentuates the elegance and symphony of the design.
Step inside the DBX707, and you’re greeted by an opulent cabin with rich, high-quality leather and timeless British craftsmanship. Aston Martin offers a diverse range of exterior color choices and interior options, allowing for a highly personalized luxury experience. With a palette of almost fifty exterior colors, thirty primary and secondary interior colors, and plethora of options for contrast stitching, seat belts and carpet to ensure your DBX707 reflects your own individual style.
It’s a little overwhelming as you browse through all the options. Fortunately, however, there is ‘Q New York’, which is Aston Martin’s brand-new flagship store on Park Avenue designed to offer the true Savile Row experience and provide an unparalleled level of bespoke service and customization. The ‘Q’ atelier named after the James Bond character responsible for providing all of 007’s gadgets and wizardry, is a few steps from Exclusive Resorts homes in New York. I had the opportunity to visit recently and meet the General Manager, Lisa Anastas, who provided a tour and overview of the experience in configuring your personal Aston Martin complete with a life size digital screen. The variety of options and configurations is formidable, and it is helpful to have someone guide you through the fun process of configuring your own personal commission and seeing it come to life on the huge interactive display. It also underscores why there are so many unique variations of the DBX707 on the road and why so far I have never seen two that are alike.
This car was no exception. Resplendent in Royal Indigo, a deep blue hue that turned to metallic purple when the sun glinted off the panels. It was equipped with the Inspire Sport interior, which features full Semi-Aniline leather complete with embroidered Aston Martin wings on the headrests, a contrast stripe down the center of the seat and perforation pattern in the seat back and base cushion. The duotone leather seats were configured in the bespoke Q Phantom Grey and Deep Purple with contrast stitching and the seatbelts in Graphite. It also came with the Alcantara steering wheel and Gloss Twill Carbon Fiber trim.
But the design isn’t just about aesthetics; it serves a purpose. The sculpted seats, with 16-way electric adjustment offer exceptional support and comfort even in aggressive driving. The ergonomics of the interior are well designed with the signature transmission buttons integrated into the dash and the lower console housing the drive mode selection switches and dedicated buttons and for suspension, ESP, manual gear selection and active exhaust switch. The infotainment and 12.4-inch screen are user friendly and functional, though the underlying technology based on Mercedes-Benz COMAND feels a bit dated in such a contemporary modern design and Aston Martin is already introducing a brand new digital interface in the DB12 and brand new Vantage, that will also likely soon appear in the DBX..
A Performance Pedigree Unleashed
At the heart of the DBX707 lies the well proven twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine, sourced from Mercedes-AMG, fettled by the wizards at Aston Martin with ball bearing turbochargers and bespoke engine calibration to produce an astounding 697 horsepower and 663 lb-ft of torque. All this power required a beefier transmission and the engineers at Aston Martin elected to use a 9-speed ‘wet clutch’ automatic transmission, capable of handling much higher torque compared to the regular torque-converter in the standard DBX. The DBX707 also features a strengthened limited slip rear differential and a shorter final drive ratio, which improves the ability to sprint through the lower gears. This results in more immediate shifts and a higher level or responsiveness, which considerably changes the handling characteristics and translates to a 0-60 mph sprint of a mere 3.3 seconds and a top speed of 193 mph. Distribution of torque between front and rear remains fully automatic with the ability to send 100% of power to the rear.
With this amount of grunt, and weighing in at a hefty 5,000 pounds, the DBX707’s has a massive set of Carbon Ceramic brakes measuring 420mm at the front and 390m at the rear with 6-piston calipers. The carbon brakes result in almost 90 pounds of weight saving and the system has been fully calibrated with precise pedal feel and precision. My demonstrator came with the optional 23inch aluminum wheels, which bring dynamic benefits with the larger Pirelli PZero tires improving steering response and body control.
But the DBX707 isn’t just about brute force. Aston Martin’s engineers have refined and sculpted its dynamics, balancing raw power with agility and precision. The revised air suspension, stiffer springs, and thicker anti-roll bars work in concert to keep the body planted even under aggressive cornering, while the active differential and torque vectoring ensure optimal power delivery to each wheel and the ability to send 100% of the power to the rear. The result is an SUV that defies its size and weight, optimizing traction and agility and carving through corners with the grace of a sports car, as one would entirely expect from the eponymous British marque.
Versatility – More Than Just a Performance Machine
The DBX707 offers a surprising level of versatility and practicality, with a configurable driving mode system that allows you to tailor the car’s response to different situations. Whether you’re cruising on the highway, tackling a winding mountain road, or venturing off the beaten path, there’s a mode that suits your needs. The optional off-road package further enhances its capabilities, allowing you to explore with confidence, knowing that the DBX707 can handle even the most challenging terrain. It also has a spacious cargo area that can be expanded by folding down the rear seats and a towing capacity of 7,700 pounds. It is a vehicle that can be used for everything from everyday driving to road trips to track days.
The Resurgence of the Aston Martin Brand
As the company’s first-ever SUV and breaking away from its traditional sports car roots, the DBX represents Aston Martin’s foray into the lucrative luxury SUV market. With its distinctive styling, luxurious interior, and impressive performance capabilities, the DBX has been well-received by critics and customers alike, attracting a new demographic of buyers to the brand.
Aston Martin has taken on something of a resurgence in recent years, the technical partnership with Mercedes-Benz in 2013 which provided access to Mercedes-AMG engines and technical platforms to improve efficiencies and reliability and they recently signed an agreement with Lucid to supply electric motors, powertrains and battery systems. The company is also well financed, which bodes well for the future, having received significant capital injections by Lawrence Stroll and the Yew Tree Consortium, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and Chinese Automaker Geely.
Aston Martin has long been associated with motorsport and the brand’s recent investment in Formula One also represents a significant investment in the brand and a move to reclaim its racing heritage. The introduction of the AMR23 Formula car for the 2023 season was a considerable evolution. The team also signed Fernando Alonso who achieved podium finishes six times, resulting in a respectable fifth in the constructor’s championship. It is great to see this commitment to Formula One that reflects the brand’s rich heritage and clearly their aspirations for the future.
The Consideration Set
The Aston DBX707 takes its place in a very exclusive category of the SUV market. The consideration set includes the Bentley Bentayga Speed and Lamborghini Urus, with which the DBX707 goes head-to-head, and at a slightly lower price point the Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT and Range Rover Sport SV. It is also a clear competitor and alternative to the Rolls-Royce Cullinan and Ferrari Purosangue that are in higher price categories. The appeal of the DBX707 is that in comparison it comes across as more understated representing quiet luxury, it is elegantly British (of course I am biased here), and delivers formidable power and performance.
The Aston Martin DBX that I tested came at a base price of $236,000. The exterior options included with Royal Indigo signature metallic paint $5,500, 23” satin black / diamond forged wheels $5,400, bronze brake calipers $1,500, smoked rear lamps $1,300. The interior options included the Q special leather seats in Phantom Grey and Deep Purple $6,200, Inspire Sport Leather Interior $8,000, Contrast Stitching $2,200, Graphite Seatbelts $900, Contemporary carpet color $2,000 and the Leather and Alcantara Steering Wheel $1,000. Also included was the power tailgate with gesture control $900 and acoustic privacy glass $2,000. With transportation and handling, this brought the total price to $275,986.
A Masterclass in Duality
The DBX707 is a masterclass in duality, seamlessly blending the world of luxury with raw, unbridled power. Like a wolf in a Savile Row suit, it moves with grace and poise, but when the moment calls for it, it reveals its true, exhilarating nature. The DBX707 is not just an SUV, it has ferocious power and pace matched by exceptional precision, dynamic flair and genuine engagement offering an addictive and uniquely impressive driving experience.
It’s a journey into the heart of what makes driving a passion for so many of us.
For more information on the Aston Martin DBX 707 visit the website here.
Photographs by James Henderson.
