Could James Bond drive an SUV? The power of 707 hp of the latest version of the DBX seems to be a call from the foot of Aston Martin to the famous number 007. We have traveled 500 km behind the wheel to find out for sure.
For ordinary mortals, Aston Martin remains definitively associated with the most famous of secret agents, since a certain DB4 Series V (and not a DB5 as too often written) joined the cast of Goldfingerin 1964. Of course, the history of the English brand, which won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1959, is not limited to its career in the Seventh Art. But it's hard not to see a big nod to it in the power figure announced for the latest version of its DBX SUV: 707 hp. We will therefore be forgiven for resorting to this eternal cliché, especially since the extravagance of this cavalry is well suited to the cinematographic universe. Above all, it allows Aston Martin to stay in the race in the increasingly crowded circle of very luxury SUVs. “Always more” remains the rule there, while Ferrari presented its 725 hp Purosangue.
The V8 supplied by AMG thus reveals its great capacity for evolution. Thanks to new ball-bearing turbos and reprogramming, it gains 158 hp and 200 Nm of torque compared to the “classic” DBX. Aesthetically, this SUV 5 m long and 2 m wide bursts the screen. Its elegant proportions combine with new aerodynamic appendages, the most impressive of which is undoubtedly the rear diffuser, which seems to have been borrowed from a Formula 1 car. Aston Martin. Remember the bestial V8 Vantage or Virage Le Mans of the 1980s and 1990s.
Aston Martin DBX 707 price
The Aston Martin DBX 707 receives 22-inch rims as standard but can fit 23-inches, like our test model. Q satin colors are invoiced at €13,850.
What would an exceptional car be without an amazing price? Unsurprisingly, James Bond once again has to rely on the green carpet and his legendary luck to line up the €240,504 required by this new mount, not including the €50,000 malus 2023 if he takes the fancy of the acquire in France. This maximum amount having been reached, there is therefore no need to consider the vulgar weight penalty to which this beautiful 2.2 t baby would be subject in the opposite case. This is of course a “basic” price, since there are also many options that are part of the folklore inherent in very high luxury brands.
Our copy was thus equipped with an exterior carbon pack charged at €16,330, lined with interior decorations made of the same material for an additional €4,370 or even a two-tone leather upholstery offered at €7,390. We note, however, that most of the catalog of supplements concerns aesthetics. All functional equipment is standard. Carbon ceramic braking, the very useful 360-degree camera, hands-free entry, motorized tailgate… are thus standard, which is not always the case with competitors.
Carbon-clad mirrors are standard on the DBX 707.
The two-tone all-leather sports interior is an option billed at €7,390 on the Aston Martin DBX 707.
Note, however, that the DBX 707 does not deploy the same panoply of digital equipment as some of its rivals. No question for him to offer the passenger his dedicated screen, to subscribe to an online music service subscription or even to take advantage of Android Auto. It's probably in this area that 007, whose taste for gadgets is widely documented, will be the most frustrated.
Driving the Aston Martin DBX 707
The first surprise when handling the DBX is the civility of the monster hiding under the hood. Faced with its infinite availability, we always believe we are in overspeed and we are surprised to force the upper gear with a flick on the right-hand paddle while it is chopping at 1200 rpm. We are also surprised by the clarity of its timbre. Despite the particulate filters, the SUV emits a delicious V8 sound, discreet at low revs, rich when exploring the high revs and spectacular when pushing the small button releasing the exhausts.
Despite its considerable size and mass, the DBX 707 offers a communicative chassis. A feat.
The DBX 707 impresses with the quality of its chassis, which does not, however, benefit from rear-wheel steering.
It remains to be seen what happens at full throttle. For ordinary mortals and journalists more accustomed to trying a Clio hybrid, 707 hp remains a figure beyond reality, which one wonders how it combines with the constraints of modern traffic. Notwithstanding the inertia of the initial start, the British SUV seems to enter another space-time, where everything scrolls fast : the right pedal is more of a trigger than an accelerator. With a 0 to 100 km/h shot in 3.3 s, James Bond can escape the descendants of Doctor No with all the more ease as the traction of the DBX 707 in the dry proves to be irreproachable in all respects.
The DBX 707 features some modifications to its three-chamber air suspensions and firmer steering assist.
It is also undoubtedly the chassis that appears to be the greatest achievement of this SUV.Never exceeded by the power, it is both efficient and very considerate for the passengers, even if at low speed the optional 23-inch rims of our test model generated some trepidation. Compared to its competitors, the DBX 707 stands out for its communicative nature. Despite the size and mass of the racing car, the driver quickly gains confidence in his machine, the balance of which he perceives through the bottom of the seat, like in a real sports car. For such a massive SUV, such mastery is a feat.
Same satisfaction with regard to the transmission and especially the carbon ceramic braking. Progressive and easy to dose from the first brake application, it is perfectly suited to road use while demonstrating unparalleled endurance. Even if eco-driving is probably not part of the skills required for a double zero agent, we managed to get just below 12 l/100 km on the fast track with a Fabergé egg under our feet. Our average was 13.9 l over the entire test.
In the cockpit of the Aston Martin DBX 707
From the double Alcantara sun visors to the leather covering every inch of the dashboard, the finish of the DBX 707 exudes haute couture.
Competition from the Aston Martin DBX 707
During his long career, Bond has been unfaithful to Aston Martin several times and, when it comes to luxury sports SUVs, the temptations are more and more numerous. The DBX 707 will soon face the Purosangue V12 which is about to be launched, but which Ferrari only agrees to sell in the V12 version to selected customers. More spectacular, the Lamborghini Urus below the Porsche Cayenne has just been declined in a high Performance version of 666 hp. Aston Martin does not have a monopoly on symbolic power figures! However, the future of this segment promises to be electric,the first to draw being Lotus with its Eletre of 603 hp and its torque of 710 Nm… lower however by 190 Nm than that of the Aston. It is rumored that McLaren is also preparing its SUV, while Porsche has already announced that the future Cayenne will have its battery version. Soon the whistle of electricity in a James Bond?
To remember
- Spectacular but faithful to its heritage, the DBX 707 has largely earned its place in the auditions for the next James Bond opus. It certainly admits some technological weaknesses, but we are counting on Q to remedy them. In real life, it impresses with the fine tuning of its chassis and its versatility that commands respect. This is what will undoubtedly earn it success like all its competitors, acclaimed by the wealthiest all over the world.
WE LOVE
- Amazing chassis
- Performances from another world
- Haute couture finishes
WE REGRET
- Outdated digital equipment
- Considerable size
- Lovers of discretion refrain
Data sheet Aston Martin DBX 707
| Dimensions and weight | |
| Length | 5.04m |
| Width without mirrors | 2m |
| Height | 1.68m |
| Wheelbase | 3.06m |
| Trunk volume | 638 liters |
| Tank capacity | 85 liters |
| Tires on test model | 285/35 ZR23 (front) - 325/30 ZR23 (rear) |
| Unloaded weight | 2245kg |
| Power and performance | |
| Type of engine | petrol, V8, 2 turbos |
| Displacement | 3982cm3 |
| Powerful | 707 hp at 6,000 rpm |
| Couple | 900 Nm at 2,750 rpm |
| Transmission | integral |
| Gearbox | 9-speed automatic |
| 0 to 100 km/h | 3.3s |
| Maximum speed | 310 km/h |
| Consumption - CO2- Penalty | |
| Mixed WLTP | 13.5l/100km |
| CO emissions2 | 309g/km |
| Malus CO22023 | €50,000 |
| Penalty to weight 2023 | none |
| Fiscal power | 70 hp |
| Guarantee | 2 years - unlimited km |
| country of production | Britain |
Prices and equipment Aston Martin DBX 707
Aston Martin DBX 707: €240,504
Apple CarPlay. Blind spot alert. Help with keeping active online. Rear traffic detection. Seat split into three thirds. 360° camera. Front and rear parking sensors. Inductive charger. Ambient lighting. Hands-free entry. GPS. Electric tailgate. LED headlights. Adaptive regulator. Mixed leather/Alcantara upholstery. Power Seats. 14-speaker audio system
Options
Metallic paint: €2,930
“Signature” metallic paint: €5,060
“Racing Line” paint: €7,720
Q Satin paint: €13,850
Electrically deployable towbar: €1,910
Colored belts: €760
Painted brake calipers: €1,380 €
23-inch diamond rims: €4,110 Two-
tone sports leather interior: €7,390
Interior carbon inserts: €4,370
Exterior carbon pack: €16,330
Front and rear ventilated seats: €2,910
Aston Martin tracker: €770
