MOTORS Aston Martin’s impressive

MOTORS

DBX-Factor

The handling and performance of a sports car, but designed to function well on the area’s broken road surfaces. Aston Martin thinks it has created the perfect compromise for those torn between performance and practicality...

Words: Rob Davis.

SPORTS CARS are all well and good on the track, when the surface is smooth and even, but our roads are in a poor state to say the least, making a 4x4 de rigueur in our part of the world.

Given the state of our roads it’s little surprise that SUVs with their heightened ride and larger wheels are storming ahead in the sales charts compared to saloon and estate cars.

When Porsche release its Cayenne 4x4 the motoring world was surprised, but the car has proven a sales success over the past 18 years, leading equally unlikely manufacturers to announce their own SUVs; Bentley’s Bentayga, Rolls Royce’s Cullinan, the Lamborghini Urus etc etc... Aston announced its DBX off-roader some time ago but hasn’t exactly rushed to get it to market. Recently, Aston’s boss Andy Palmer was replaced by former Mercedes AMG lead Tobias Moers... a shame really, as Andy returned the company to profit and has been a steady hand for the Aston.

The DBX is Andy’s last motor, his swan song, as it were. In short; it’s brilliant. DBX offers the practicality of a four seater, four wheel drive SUV and is able to stomp over potholes and pitted roads, dodgy verges and gravelled areas, or squaddy fields.

Ironically, given that an AMG man has ousted Palmer, it’s Mercedes AMG which supplied the DBX’s engine. >>

>> Still, there are few better powerplants that come to mind... it’s a lovely 4.0V8 twinturbocharged unit that generates 550ps and 700nm torque.

The DBX will reach 60mph in 4.5 seconds, and blast on to 181mph if you’re on a closed track. You’ll be lucky to achieve the claimed 19.7mpg though.

Given the DBX’s elegant profile it’s difficult to gauge its size, but for the record the 2.8 tonne SUV is as wide as a Bentley Bentayga and 4cm longer than a Range Rover.

With 632 litres of boot space and 40:20:40 split folding rear seats DBX possesses all the flexible load capacity expected of an SUV with class-leading interior space. The load

“The DBX looks the part and has the luxury and power necessary to justify its £158,000 price. It could also consolidate the 4x4 and the sports car sitting on your driveway...”

space offers a practical and cleanly designed space. A narrow load sill and broad aperture maximises the practicality for a variety of luggage, such as suitcases, golf bags and ski equipment.

The seats are trimmed in sumptuous, full grain leather, sourced from long term partner Bridge of Weir whilst a 10.25” TFT screen sits elegantly flush in the centre console, while a huge 12.3” TFT screen provides a wealth of information to the driver. Apple CarPlay comes as standard, as does a 360-degree camera system and ambient lighting that offers 64 different colours in two zones.

The DBX certainly looks the part and has the luxury and performance necessary to justify its £160,230 price tag. If that seems steep then fine, but consider this; the DBX has the capacity to consolidate your Range Rover ‘daily driver’ with your ‘something for the weekend’ Aston, in a single car. n

Four by Roar: All Wheel Drive performance cars...

Lamborghini Urus £159,925: Using a 4.0V8 twin-turbo Lamborghini takes a gamble on producing an SUV which would perhaps best suit the slippery winter slopes of Val d’Aosta, the Urus may have an unpleasant sounding name but you can’t argue with its 641bhp, 3.3 second 60mph dash or its whopping 23” wheels. Certainly not for those who like to make a discreet entrance! n

ASTON MARTIN DBX

Price: £160,230. Drivetrain: 4.0 V8 twin-turbo, 700nm torque, 550ps. Performance: 0-62 mph: 4.5 seconds. Top Speed: 181mph. Economy: 19.7mpg. Equipment: Leather upholstery, 360° camera, navigation, climate, folding rear seats, 10” screen with infotainment system, nine-speed auto gearbox. n

Maserati Levante Trofeo £124,900: An exotic brand, and a bit of a left-field choice among a sea of AMG and Range Rover Sports. Lots of natural leathers and shimmering veneers to choose from but only one engine choice in the Trofeo flagship; it’s a 3.8 litre V8 that’s good for 572bhp, 60mph in 3.9 seconds and 188mph flat out on a track. Traction is excellent, and the Levante will appeal to keen drivers but arguably more modest models in the range have just as much appeal as an exotic sports SUV. n

Range Rover Velar SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition £86,685: The larger Range Rover Sport is looking a little older and more conservative next its smaller style-oriented sibling, the Velar. Despite the fact that its design cues - like flush door handles - are halo-ing down other models in company’s lineup, the Velar is still the loveliest looking Range Rover, hence our recommendation here over the larger Sport model. Despite a long and silly name, this flagship offers ludicrous performance from its lovely 5.0V8 engine. n

Defender’s Back

JIM RATCLIFFE £40,000 BMW-ENGINED DEFENDER UNVEILED AHEAD OF 2021

GRENADIER When you’ve £50bn in the bank, like British engineer Jim Ratcliffe, you can take certain liberties. Like not taking no for an answer when Land Rover announced the Defender would be no more. Of course, Land Rover has presented us with a brand new and rather brilliant Defender, but for some it’s too digital; far too luxurious. For those people, news of Jim Ratcliffe’s

Grenadier will probably appeal more than Land Rover’s new Defender iteration. His car shamelessly copies the Defender design and uses a BMW-sourced V8 which Ratcliffe believe will provide a car more faithful to the ethos of the original Defender when it goes on sale in 2021. We’re promised an interior that can be hosed out and rugged, back to basics mechanicals. n

Electric Mini Milestone

MINI PLANT OXFORD HAS BUILT MORE THAN 11,000 MINI ELECTRICS SINCE PRODUCTION BEGAN A YEAR AGO...

Fancy a brand new Bentley for just £6,995? Just one catch...

BENTLEY Snapping up a Bentley for under seven grand might seem like an opportunity too good to pass up... although there is a slight catch. It’s a 1:8 scale replica. Bentley has invested meticulous attention to detail and thousands of hours into crafting the exquisite model, which features impeccably-copied cross-stitching for the seats, lustrous wood veneers on the dash and plush carpets. Even the doors and boot open to allow you to admire the intricately replicated interior! n

MINI MINI Plant Oxford has hit a significant milestone by building more than 11,000 MINI Electrics since production began, just before the plant’s annual summer shutdown. Premiered in July 2019, during the brand’s 60th anniversary year, MINI’s first all-electric model is fully integrated into the production process at Oxford, running down the same line as the combustion engine models. Since its launch, more than 3,000 MINI Electric orders have been placed in the UK. Priced at £24,900 the Mini Electric has a range of 145 miles, and takes 12 hours to charge at home. n

MOTORING NEWS In Brief

PARKING

TO DRIVE IS HUMAN, TO PARK IS DIVINE...

Churches in the UK are making more than £20,000 each month, an average of £200 each, by renting out their empty car park spaces to motorists needing somewhere to park. The latest research by YourParkingSpace.co.uk also found that more than 100 churches are listed on the portal’s pre-booking parking website, where motorists can find more flexible, and alternative, options to on-street parking and traditional car parks. However, as there are some 16,000 registered churches this represents only a fraction of the total number who could be making a tidy additional income given that YourParkingSpace.co.uk estimates that over 85 per cent of churches have suitable parking spaces. One such church is St Wilfrid’s which spotted an opportunity to offer affordable parking, while attracting people to look around the church. Rebecca Oliver, said: “The parking income helps to support the running costs of the church, which as a Grade I listed building are significant. Harrison Woods, at YourParkingSpace.co.uk, said: “Churches offering their empty parking spaces makes perfect financial sense, you could almost describe it as ‘pray and display.’ n

Lynne emailed this to request new artwork 12/9