Aston Martin has announced the arrival of a new DBX flagship, the DBX S. With the dynamic appeal of the DBX707 and an engine enhanced by technology transferred directly from the forthcoming Valhalla supercar, the DBX S offers one of the most engaging and responsive driving experiences, delivering even more power, reduced weight, and a more assertive design.
DBX S continues a long tradition of Aston Martin’s utilising the ‘S’ suffix to denote a special, high-performance version of an existing model; the first being Vanquish S, which made its public debut at the Paris Motor Show in 2004.
DBX S proves that lighter variants with more power and performance are still integral to Aston Martin’s core production offering and looks to continue a lineage of notable high-performance models.
At the heart of the new DBX S lies an upgraded version of the acclaimed Aston Martin 4.0-Litre Twin-Turbo V8 powerhouse. By utilising turbo technology transferred directly from the upcoming Valhalla supercar, including its larger compressor wheel diameters and other internal enhancements, power is increased by a further 20 hp to 727 hp.
It provides even greater urgency at the very top of the rev range, making DBX S’s performance even more memorable. The result is a 0-62mph time of just 3.3 seconds and a reduction in acceleration time from 0-124mph (200km/h) of 0.3 seconds. Top speed remains unchanged at an impressive 193mph.
Further enhancing both performance and its perception is a modified exhaust system, which amplifies the character of the natural voice of the thunderous V8 engine and exploits the full potential presented by the engine’s turbo enhancements.
As with its DBX707 stablemate, DBX S distributes its power between the front and rear wheels in variable proportion – including an ability to send 50 per cent of its torque to the front and up to 100 per cent of its torque to the rear wheels alone – through an innovative 9-speed ‘wet clutch’ transmission, which removes the need for a conventional torque converter, delivering extreme performance on launch from standstill.
However, the DBX S gearbox has been further modified to provide an even more memorable driving experience. Change-up points are adjusted to reflect the car’s extended rev range, while downshifts in Sport and Sport + modes when the vehicle is in automatic are even more aggressive.
In addition to the power upgrade, several measures have been taken not only to significantly reduce the kerb weight of the DBX S, but also to do so in an intelligent and highly selective manner, ensuring that mere weight loss is just one of the attributes resulting from these actions.
A prime example is the new optional carbon fibre roof, presented in a glorious single-weave pattern, which, at almost three metres square, is by far the most significant such carbon element ever fitted to an Aston Martin.
The specification of the carbon roof involves the removal of the roof rails, which, combined, not only saves 18kg of mass but also does so from the highest point of the car, thereby reducing its centre of gravity and further enhancing both stability and agility.
Magnesium wheels are now available for the first time as an option on any SUV in the segment. Magnesium is not only robust but also an incredibly lightweight material, some 75 per cent lighter than steel; half the weight of titanium and a third less than aluminium.
Specifying the magnesium wheels also sees the deletion of roof rails, offering further weight savings. Additionally, customers can also select a bespoke, lightweight polycarbonate honeycomb grille, intricately designed with over 25,000 individual facets, which helps shift the weight distribution rearward, aiding both handling and the car’s traction capabilities.
The steering ratio on the DBX S is also 4 per cent faster, noticeably improving agility and making the car feel even more sporting and responsive, while stopping well short of introducing any sense of nervousness into its handling. It also reduces the turning circle by almost half a metre to just 12.0 metres, improving the urban driving experience.
DBX S benefits from the full suite of suspension enhancements introduced last year, which included a revised calibration of both the air springs and electronic dampers. This adjustment increased transient body control, reducing weight transfer and thereby improving primary ride quality and overall stability.
Even right at the limit, its standard electronic roll control means the DBX S rolls by no more than 1.5 degrees; enough to create the natural feel of the car cornering but still keeping the car flatter than many purpose-built, two-seat sports cars.
The spring rate also changes depending on the selected drive mode, actively moving the roll stiffness balance through a corner to enhance grip and steering response. Near-inexhaustible braking performance is provided by mighty carbon-ceramic disc brakes at each corner, measuring a minimum of 420 mm at the front and 390 mm at the rear.
Visually, the Aston Martin design team have ensured that no one who sees DBX S will be left in any doubt they’re looking at the most sporting, dynamically capable and enthralling ultra-luxury SUV on the market.
From the front, the new DBX S is instantly recognisable by its pure black, vaned grille, giving this edition immediate road presence. The lightweight polycarbonate grille, featuring a honeycomb design, draws inspiration from the DBS 770 Ultimate and is also available as an optional feature.
A new splitter and diffuser further enhance the car’s naturally assertive presence alongside the distinctive wraparound daytime running light design.
Seen from the side, the new sills boast highly distinctive upturned air splitters, which, in typical Aston Martin fashion, serve both function and form, helping to channel and direct the airflow along the side of the car.
Carbon fibre is available to specify for the wing mirrors, side strakes and lower door sill, while distinctive ‘S’ signature badging on the front fenders marks the true nature of this beast. Like the iconic Aston Martin wings, these badges are manufactured in solid metal, glass enamelled with the S ‘infilled in red as it appeared on previous models such as the V12 Vantage S and the Rapide S.
The badge surround is then chrome-plated in either bright or dark chrome to match the colour of the customer’s chosen wings.
The most obvious visual changes to the new flagship DBX are at the rear, where quad exhausts are now vertically stacked and available in both gloss and matte finishes, giving full voice to the glorious sound of the V8 at maximum attack.
The rear bumper and diffuser have been completely reprofiled and, along with the side sills and wing, can be specified with carbon to reduce overall vehicle mass by a further 7kg. DBX S also showcases a new lower livery design, available in three colours: Rosso Corsa Red, Trophy Silver, and Podium Green. The sporting livery highlights the front splitter, diffuser, and side sills, which continue to the rear, framing the new stacked quad exhausts.
The interior of DBX S displays a bespoke ‘S’ theme; the most notable feature being the distinctive herringbone design, which comes as standard on the seats, but which is also extended to the headlining if the optional Carbon roof is chosen. The herringbone lines become increasingly wider as they progress up the seat, giving an unmistakable impression of speed, fitting for the highest-performing SUV in the marque’s range.
DBX S is trimmed as standard in lightweight, sporting Alcantara, which is featured on the seats, headlining, centre console, lower instrument panels, and upper trim. In areas of high wear, such as the seat bolsters, the Alcantara is seamlessly blended with semi-aniline leather.
For those who prefer an even greater sense of luxury, DBX S can be trimmed entirely in semi-aniline leather. Red seatbelts can also be specified to bring additional ‘S’ identification inside the car.
The ‘S’ suffix is embroidered onto the seat, complemented by the Aston Martin wings that are emblazoned on the headrests with an industry-first technique using both embossing and debossing with extreme pressure (1.5 tonnes) and heat to sculpt the wings into the leather in sub-millimetre precision and detail. Furthermore, the ‘S’ appears on the treadplates and engine plaque to complete the picture.
DBX S continues the adoption of Aston Martin’s state-of-the-art, in-house developed infotainment system, featuring a striking new cabin architecture. This transformative enhancement showcases exemplary deployment of craft and innovation, combining immaculate design and indulgent luxury with a formidable suite of connected car technology.
‘S’ has long had an association with Aston Martin, and DBX S proves that lighter variants with more power and performance are still very much part of the marque’s story, and are set to last into the foreseeable future. DBX S is now available for order, with deliveries expected in Q4 2025