Aston Martin Gets To Work On The DBX Crossover

It’s been over three and a half years now since since Aston Martin revealed the DBX concept at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, previewing its first crossover. Now the British automaker has released a video and a batch of photos of a prototype testing on gravel.

Contrary to earlier reports, Aston has confirmed that the production model will indeed carry the name DBX, with the first two letters connecting it in to the line of sports cars that stretches back to the David Brown era, and the X designating it as a crossover. But as expected, it’s adopted a more conventional greenhouse shape, with five doors instead of the concept’s three.

While the prototype shown in these images and video clip is still all wrapped up in trompe-l’œil camouflage, it’s obvious that it bears similarities to the brand’s latest sports cars, like the Vantage, DB11, and DBS Superleggera – just looking at the grille anyone would understand it’s an Aston.

For the first time, though, an Aston is capable of venturing off the beaten path. While Gaydon’s been testing the prototypes, as it does with all its products, at the Nürburgring, it’s also been running it off road. One of the venues are the Welsh Rally stages, in the same part of the UK where it will be manufactured at the company’s new plant at the St Athan air base.

“The DBX is a very different kind of Aston Martin, but we will be testing it in all conditions and across all terrains to ensure it delivers a driving experience worthy of the wings badge,” said chief engineer Matt Becker. His boss Andy Palmer added: “The DBX is so much more than ‘just’ an SUV; it will be the first model built at our brand-new facility in St Athan. As such, it is very much the start of a bold new era in the company’s long history.”

Just how Aston will position its debut crossover remains unclear: towards the Jaguar F-Pace and Maserati Levante, or further upmarket aimed at the Bentley Bentayga, Lamborghini Urus, and Ferrari’s upcoming entry into the market? We’ll find out sooner or later – and we’re hoping for “sooner”, as the DBX isn’t slated to enter production for another year or so.