Aston Martin DBX S : In the rarefied atmosphere of ultra-luxury SUVs, a new monarch has claimed the throne.
The Aston Martin DBX S emerges as not merely an evolution but a complete reimagining of what performance and opulence can achieve when engineering excellence meets uncompromising luxury.
With its recent unveiling, Aston Martin has created a vehicle that doesn’t just raise the bar—it completely redefines the category.
The Crown Jewel of Performance SUVs
The DBX S stands as the latest embodiment of Aston Martin’s storied ‘S’ lineage—a designation reserved for their most exceptional high-performance variants dating back to 1953.
This isn’t simply another luxury SUV; it’s a meticulously crafted statement of intent from one of the world’s most prestigious automotive houses.
At the heart of this magnificent beast lies a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 masterpiece, now enhanced with technology transferred directly from the forthcoming Valhalla hypercar.
The results speak for themselves: an earth-moving 717 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque that propel this luxury titan from 0-62 mph in a mere 3.3 seconds before reaching a dizzying top speed of 193 mph.
These aren’t merely numbers—they represent the pinnacle of automotive engineering in the SUV category.
“The introduction of DBX S not only reaffirms our commitment to producing the most exciting, rewarding, and beautiful cars, but it also sends a powerful statement of intent about our ambitions not just for DBX but for the Aston Martin marque,” explains Adrian Hallmark, Aston Martin’s CEO.
Lightweighting: The Physics-Defying Innovation
What truly separates the DBX S from its contemporaries isn’t just raw power—it’s the revolutionary approach to weight reduction in a segment where heaviness has long been accepted as inevitable.
Aston Martin’s engineers have implemented a comprehensive lightweighting strategy that transforms the vehicle’s dynamics while preserving its substantial presence.
The optional carbon fiber roof—the largest single carbon element ever fitted to an Aston Martin—removes a substantial 18 kg while simultaneously lowering the center of gravity for enhanced stability and cornering abilities.
This engineering marvel, presented in a glorious single weave pattern, extends nearly three meters square and represents a watershed moment in SUV design.
Perhaps most revolutionary are the optional 23-inch magnesium wheels—a first in the luxury SUV sector.
This exotic metal, 75% lighter than steel and even lighter than aluminum, reduces unsprung mass by a remarkable 19 kg, dramatically improving responsiveness, handling, and ride quality.
Combined with other weight-saving measures, the full suite of lightweighting options can reduce the DBX S’s weight by up to 47 kg, bringing its total to a class-leading 2,198 kg.
Exterior: Commanding Presence With Purpose
The DBX S announces its arrival with unmistakable visual authority. The front fascia offers two distinct styling options: a pure black vaned grille for those with classical tastes, or a revolutionary polycarbonate honeycomb grille inspired by the extreme DBS 770 Ultimate.
These aren’t merely aesthetic choices—paired with the redesigned front splitter and rear diffuser, they serve critical aerodynamic functions while delivering undeniable curb appeal.
Along the profile, upturned air splitters integrated into the redesigned side sills improve both stability and airflow management.
The rear has been completely reimagined, now featuring vertically stacked exhaust tips available in either gloss or matte finishes.
A fresh lower livery detail offers personalization options in Rosso Corsa Red, Trophy Silver, or Podium Green, allowing owners to customize their vehicle’s visual signature.
The electronically controlled suspension system represents a marvel of modern engineering, limiting body roll to a mere 1.5 degrees even at the absolute limit—a figure that would impress many dedicated sports cars.
Combined with the active electronic roll control that continually adjusts spring rates and roll stiffness through corners, the DBX S delivers a driving experience that defies its substantial dimensions.
Interior: Where Performance Meets Ultimate Luxury
Step inside the DBX S, and you enter a realm where performance-oriented design meets unparalleled craftsmanship.
Exclusive to this flagship model is a refined herringbone pattern woven into the Alcantara seat upholstery, with lines that widen as they progress upward, creating an unmistakable impression of speed and motion even when stationary.
This lightweight sporting Alcantara extends beyond the seats to the headlining, center console, lower instrument panels, and upper trim, creating a cohesive environment dedicated to the driving experience.
In high-wear areas like seat bolsters, the Alcantara seamlessly blends with semi-aniline leather, combining durability with tactile luxury. For those who prefer a more traditional approach, the entire cabin can be specified in sumptuous semi-aniline leather.
The ‘S’ suffix is proudly embroidered onto each seat, complemented by Aston Martin wings on the headrests created through an industry-first technique.
This innovative process uses both embossing and debossing under extreme pressure (1.5 tonnes) and heat to sculpt the wings into the leather with sub-millimeter precision and detail.
Technological Mastery
Aston Martin hasn’t held back on the technological front either. Standard equipment includes the brand’s Premium Audio system with 800 watts powering 14 strategically positioned speakers.
For true audiophiles, an optional Bowers & Wilkins system transforms the cabin into a concert hall-quality listening environment with 23 speakers powered by a 1,600W double-amplified surround system.
The completely redesigned dashboard houses a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, utilizing Aston Martin’s latest proprietary software.
Physical controls remain for essential functions, eschewing the industry trend toward overwhelming digitization in favor of a more intuitive, driver-focused interface.
The Engineering Behind the Experience
Beyond the specifications and luxury appointments lies the true genius of the DBX S—the meticulous engineering that transforms raw power into refined performance.
The nine-speed automatic transmission features recalibrated shift points to account for the engine’s enhanced power delivery characteristics, ensuring that power is always available precisely when needed.
The braking system proves equally impressive, with massive carbon ceramic disc brakes measuring 420mm at the front and 390mm at the rear providing nearly inexhaustible stopping power.
This braking system doesn’t merely slow the vehicle—it inspires confidence in even the most demanding driving scenarios.
The suspension system represents perhaps the most remarkable achievement, combining the seemingly contradictory requirements of ultra-luxury comfort with sports car-like handling precision.
The sophisticated air spring suspension has been retuned to provide enhanced body control without compromising ride quality, while active dampers continually adjust to road conditions in milliseconds.
Beyond Comparison
While comparisons to rivals like the Ferrari Purosangue, Lamborghini Urus Performante, and Bentley Bentayga Speed are inevitable, the DBX S creates a category all its own.
Unlike its Italian compatriots, it maintains true everyday usability with genuine five-passenger comfort and substantial cargo capacity. Unlike its British rival, it delivers genuine supercar-adjacent performance without compromise.
The DBX S exists in a unique space where practical luxury meets extreme performance—a previously unexplored territory that Aston Martin has claimed as its own.
This isn’t merely a high-performance variant of an existing model; it’s a comprehensive rethinking of what an ultra-luxury performance SUV can and should be.
The Future of Performance Luxury
What makes the DBX S truly significant isn’t just its impressive specifications or luxurious appointments—it’s what this vehicle represents for both Aston Martin and the automotive landscape.
As the industry undergoes seismic shifts toward electrification and autonomy, the DBX S stands as a compelling reminder that driver engagement, emotional design, and engineering excellence remain irreplaceable values.
For Aston Martin, the DBX S represents more than just a new flagship—it embodies the company’s future direction.
By successfully translating the brand’s core values of beauty, performance, and craftsmanship into a thoroughly modern SUV format, Aston Martin demonstrates that its heritage can evolve without being diluted.
The DBX S isn’t merely competing within an established segment—it’s creating an entirely new standard for what an ultra-luxury performance SUV can achieve.
In doing so, it doesn’t just elevate Aston Martin; it raises expectations for the entire category.
Aston Martin DBX S
The Aston Martin DBX S isn’t merely an impressive vehicle—it’s a watershed moment in automotive design and engineering.
By successfully integrating seemingly contradictory elements—practical utility with extreme performance, substantial presence with dynamic agility, traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology—Aston Martin has created something genuinely revolutionary.
For those fortunate enough to experience it, the DBX S offers something beyond mere transportation or status.
It delivers the emotional depth and driving engagement that have always been hallmarks of the world’s finest automobiles, now available in a format that accommodates modern lifestyles.
In an era where many luxury vehicles prioritize numbers over feelings and specifications over experiences, the Aston Martin DBX S stands as a refreshing reminder that true luxury involves more than mere opulence—it requires passion, character, and soul.
By any measure, the DBX S delivers these qualities in abundance, firmly establishing itself as the new benchmark in high-octane luxury.
Orders for the Aston Martin DBX S are now open, with first deliveries expected in Q4 2025.
While pricing remains unannounced for the American market, European figures suggest an approximate starting price of $270,000—a figure that, while substantial, seems entirely appropriate for what may well be the most complete ultra-luxury performance SUV ever created.