2019 Aston Martin DBX Luxury SUV Confirmed for Production
Aston Martin DBX is brand’s first SUV, slated for Q4 2019 launch.
Aston Martin has made a significant and symbolic stride towards the luxury brand’s first SUV, which is officially named DBX, with the first development prototype being put through its paces along a demanding Welsh Rally stage. Behind the wheel was none other than Aston Martin Chief Engineer, Matt Becker.
This first test for DBX signifies the start of an extensive testing program. That testing began in Wales, as a nod to Aston Martin’s new St. Athan production facility in the Vale of Glamorgan. Of course, off-roading in Wales is just a small part of the Aston Martin test experience for DBX. The brand says that their “punishing regime” will ultimately see development prototypes of the all-new machine tackle some of the world’s 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 Nordschleife.
As DBX is the first Aston Martin SUV, it naturally brings about new challenges from vehicle development. So, “while it will perform with the verve and poise of a true Aston Martin, its dynamic envelope has to extend into areas previously off-limits to the marque’s sporting roots.” Naturally, this includes impressive multi-terrain and towing capability testing.
Of DBX, Aston Martin Chief Engineer, Matt Becker, said: ‘We have already developed and tuned DBX in the driving simulator, which has enabled us to make excellent progress in advance of the first physical prototype cars being available. Still, it’s always a big day when you get to put the first actual miles on an early prototype and I’m delighted with the near perfect correlation between the simulator and this prototype. As an engineer, it’s genuinely exciting to get a feel for the car you’re working to create. DBX is a very different kind of Aston Martin, but we will be testing it in all conditions and across all terrains to ensure it delivers a driving experience worthy of the wings badge.
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DBX is scheduled to be unveiled in the last quarter of 2019 and will be built at Aston Martin Lagonda’s St. Athan facility; a state-of-the-art luxury manufacturing plant that will ultimately become the ‘Home of Electrification’ when the marque’s fully-EV models enter production.
Aston Martin Lagonda President and Group Chief Executive Officer, Andy Palmer said: “Seeing a DBX development prototype in action is a momentous chapter in the story of our first SUV, for it is the moment it really comes alive. DBX is so much more than ‘just’ an SUV; it will be the first model built at our brand-new facility in St. Athan. As such, it is very much the start of a bold new era in the company’s long history.”