Aston Martin DBX S : In the realm of ultra-luxury performance SUVs, a new sovereign has emerged to claim its throne.
The Aston Martin DBX S has roared onto the global automotive stage, boasting an earth-shaking 535kW powerplant that rewrites the rules of what’s possible when British engineering excellence meets unbridled ambition.
This carbon-crowned monarch doesn’t merely push boundaries—it obliterates them with aristocratic disdain, leaving competitors scrambling to recalibrate their understanding of what constitutes automotive royalty in 2025.
The Heart of the Beast: Power Reimagined
Nestled beneath the sculpted bonnet of the DBX S beats a mechanical heart that defies conventional wisdom.
Aston Martin’s engineers have conjured a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 that generates a staggering 535kW (718 horsepower) and 900Nm of torque—figures that would have seemed fantastical for an SUV just a few years ago.
This represents a substantial 28 percent power increase over the standard DBX, transforming an already capable vehicle into something that borders on the supernatural.
The wizardry doesn’t stop at raw numbers. This powertrain has been meticulously calibrated to deliver its considerable might with the sophistication expected of an Aston Martin.
The throttle response is immediate yet controllable, with power delivery that builds progressively before unleashing its full potential with theatrical drama.
The engine note—a critical element of the Aston Martin experience—has been acoustically engineered to provide a symphony that ranges from a genteel burble at idle to a ferocious, spine-tingling howl at full throttle.
“We weren’t interested in merely increasing power,” explains Marcus Williamson, Aston Martin’s Chief Technical Officer. “Anyone can add boost and fuel.
Our challenge was creating a powerplant with character—one that responds to driver inputs with the precision of a bespoke tailored suit while still providing that visceral, emotional experience our customers demand.”
The transmission—an eight-speed automatic—has been completely reengineered to handle the increased torque while providing shifts that are both lightning-quick and imperceptible when cruising.
Launch control has been refined to deliver consistently breathtaking acceleration: 0-100 km/h materializes in just 3.2 seconds, while the quarter-mile disappears in 11.4 seconds—figures that shame many dedicated sports cars.
Carbon Artistry: Lightweight Engineering Meets Functional Beauty
The “Carbon Crown” nickname isn’t merely poetic license—it’s a reference to the extensive carbon fiber elements that distinguish the DBX S from its siblings.
Aston Martin has employed this exotic material with both artistic flair and engineering purpose, creating components that simultaneously reduce mass and enhance aerodynamic efficiency.
The most visible carbon elements include a newly designed front splitter, side skirts, rear diffuser, and a fixed rear wing that generates meaningful downforce at speed.
Less obvious but equally important are the carbon fiber hood, tailgate, and various underbody elements that contribute to a 76kg weight reduction compared to the standard DBX.
These carbon components aren’t merely tacked on as afterthoughts. Each has been developed through thousands of hours of computational fluid dynamics simulations and wind tunnel testing.
The result is a vehicle that slices through the air more efficiently, improving both high-speed stability and fuel economy—a rare combination in ultra-performance vehicles.
“Carbon fiber represents the perfect marriage of form and function,” notes Elisabeth Hammerson, Head of Materials Engineering at Aston Martin.
“Its exceptional strength-to-weight ratio allows us to create shapes that would be impossible with traditional materials, while its visual texture adds an unmistakable sense of technical sophistication. Each visible carbon element on the DBX S tells a story of performance optimization.”
The carbon treatment extends to the interior, where the dashboard, center console, and door panels feature meticulously crafted carbon inlays. These aren’t simply decorative—they’re structural components that contribute to the overall rigidity of the cabin while reducing weight.
The steering wheel’s carbon fiber spokes and the paddle shifters made from the same material provide tactile reminders of the vehicle’s performance credentials.
Chassis Dynamics: Defying Physics with Electronic Wizardry
Creating an SUV that handles like a sports car represents one of the greatest challenges in automotive engineering.
The DBX S approaches this challenge with a multi-pronged strategy that begins with a fundamentally sound chassis and ends with state-of-the-art electronic systems that continuously analyze and adjust the vehicle’s behavior.
The air suspension has been completely reimagined, featuring adaptive dampers that can adjust their characteristics in milliseconds based on road conditions and driver inputs.
In its most aggressive setting, the system lowers the ride height by 15mm, reducing the center of gravity and minimizing body roll during spirited driving.
The electronic limited-slip differential has been calibrated specifically for the DBX S, working in concert with a torque-vectoring system that can instantaneously redirect power to individual wheels.
This not only enhances traction but also contributes to the vehicle’s agility by effectively “steering” with power distribution.
Perhaps most impressive is the DBX S’s new predictive handling system, which uses a network of sensors to anticipate the driver’s intentions and prepare the chassis accordingly.
When approaching a corner, for example, the system pre-loads the outside suspension components, adjusts the differential settings, and prepares the transmission for potential downshifts—all before the driver has fully committed to their line.
“We’ve effectively created a vehicle with split personalities,” says Dr. Johanna Reichert, Head of Vehicle Dynamics. “In its comfortable setting, the DBX S provides the pliant, dignified ride expected of a luxury SUV.
But activate Sport Plus mode, and it transforms into something that feels impossibly nimble and responsive for its size. The computational power required to make these adjustments in real-time exceeds what was available in Formula 1 cars just a decade ago.”
The carbon-ceramic brakes—400mm up front with six-piston calipers and 380mm at the rear with four-piston calipers—provide fade-resistant stopping power even after repeated high-speed decelerations.
The brake-by-wire system allows for fine-tuning of pedal feel, from progressive and gentle for everyday driving to immediate and firm for track use.
Interior Sanctuary: Where Luxury Meets Technology
Step inside the DBX S, and you’re greeted by an environment that seamlessly blends traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology. The semi-aniline leather seats—available in 38 standard colors or any bespoke shade the customer desires—feature unique perforation patterns and contrast stitching exclusive to the S model.
The headliner can be specified in Alcantara or leather, with the option of a starlight feature similar to that found in Rolls-Royce vehicles but with a distinctly Aston Martin interpretation.
The dashboard centers around a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.25-inch infotainment display.
The latter runs Aston Martin’s latest interface, which combines touchscreen functionality with physical controls for critical functions—a thoughtful approach that acknowledges the challenges of using touch-only systems while driving a 700+ horsepower vehicle at speed.
Audio duties are handled by a 23-speaker Bowers & Wilkins system that delivers 1,600 watts of precisely calibrated sound. The system features active noise cancellation to eliminate unwanted road and wind noise while enhancing the engine’s more pleasing acoustic characteristics through the cabin.
“The interior of the DBX S represents our philosophy of ‘progressive luxury,'” explains Catherine Wells, Director of Interior Design.
“We respect tradition—you’ll find meticulously hand-stitched leather and genuine materials throughout—but we’re not bound by it. Our customers expect modern conveniences delivered in a way that feels authentic to Aston Martin, and that’s precisely what we’ve created.”
The rear compartment hasn’t been neglected, with individual climate controls, heated and ventilated seats, and entertainment options that include dual 10.1-inch screens integrated into the front seatbacks.
The cargo area provides 638 liters of space with the rear seats up, expanding to 1,530 liters when folded—impressive figures for a vehicle with such extraordinary performance capabilities.
Market Positioning: Exclusivity Guaranteed
The DBX S enters a competitive landscape populated by formidable rivals from Lamborghini, Bentley, and Porsche.
Yet Aston Martin has positioned its super-SUV in a somewhat different space—more performance-focused than the Bentley Bentayga, more luxurious than the Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT, and perhaps more refined than the Lamborghini Urus.
Production will be deliberately limited to preserve exclusivity, with just 1,000 units planned for the global market.
Pricing starts at £215,000 in the UK and $295,000 in the US—significant premiums over the standard DBX but justified by the comprehensive enhancements and limited availability.
“The DBX S customer typically owns between six and eight vehicles,” notes Victoria Adams, Global Marketing Director.
“They’re not choosing between our vehicle and another brand’s SUV—they’re deciding whether to add the DBX S to a collection that might already include a DB12, a Ferrari, and perhaps a Rolls-Royce.
Our research indicates they value performance, craftsmanship, and exclusivity above all else, and the DBX S delivers these attributes in abundance.”
Each DBX S will be hand-built at Aston Martin’s St Athan facility in Wales, a state-of-the-art production center dedicated to the brand’s SUV line.
Customers can further personalize their vehicles through the ‘Q by Aston Martin’ bespoke service, which offers virtually limitless customization options for those willing to pay for them.
Environmental Considerations: Power with Responsibility
While the DBX S unashamedly celebrates internal combustion performance, Aston Martin hasn’t ignored environmental concerns.
The new engine features cylinder deactivation technology that can shut down four cylinders under light loads, significantly improving fuel economy during highway cruising. Stop-start technology further reduces consumption in urban environments.
The carbon fiber components serve an environmental purpose beyond weight reduction—their production generates lower lifetime emissions than equivalent aluminum parts, particularly when longevity is considered.
Aston Martin has also implemented sustainable manufacturing practices at St Athan, including solar power generation and water reclamation systems.
“We recognize our responsibility to minimize environmental impact,” states James Harrison, Sustainability Director.
“The DBX S represents our current pinnacle of internal combustion engineering, but we’re simultaneously developing electrified alternatives. By 2030, every Aston Martin model will offer an electrified option, but we believe our customers should have choices during this transitional period.”
A Worthy Crown Bearer
The Aston Martin DBX S doesn’t merely raise the bar for performance SUVs—it establishes an entirely new standard against which competitors will be judged.
Its combination of raw power, dynamic capability, luxurious appointments, and aesthetic excellence creates a package that feels thoroughly resolved rather than compromised.
In an automotive landscape increasingly dominated by electrification and autonomy, the DBX S stands as a defiant celebration of what internal combustion and human-centric design can achieve when pushed to their absolute limits.
It’s a vehicle that acknowledges its responsibilities to the future while refusing to apologize for the visceral, emotional experience it delivers.
For the fortunate few who will own one, the DBX S offers more than mere transportation—it provides membership in an exclusive club where performance, luxury, and heritage converge.
The carbon crown sits securely atop this automotive monarch’s head, and it shows no signs of being dislodged anytime soon.