Aston Martin DBX could get V12 power

Aston Martin is readying a heavily uprated performance version of the DBX SUV to rival the Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT – and it could adopt V12 power. Fresh spy shots at the Nürburgring in Germany show a lightly camouflaged prototype being put through its paces.

• DBX S to arrive in 2023
• Aggressive styling and lowered suspension expected
• Will rival the Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT and Lamborghini Urus

Aston Martin DBX S: what we know so far

Signs of a bespoke styling package for the range-topping DBX centre around a new front grille and beefed-up air intakes, but more telling are reports that the car sounded extremely similar to the V12-engined DB11 and DBS.

Our sister publication Autocar UK reported earlier this year that work was under way on a sportier DBX to arrive after the mild-hybrid, that is due in 2022, as part of Aston’s plan to expand the DBX nameplate into a diverse model family in the vein of its Porsche Cayenne rival. Based on the styling changes and the likely timing of its development cycle, it could arrive as a mid-life update for the luxury SUV, which was launched in 2020.

Thought to be called the DBX S and arriving in 2023, it will no doubt be marked out by more aggressive bodywork, lowered suspension and upsized brakes, in line with a power bump that will take it far beyond the 550hp of the standard car. As deployed in the DB11 AMR, Aston’s V12 pumps out 639hp, almost identical to the new Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT.

However, the AMG-engineered V8 used by the standard DBX is also available with 639hp in the German firm’s GT 63 S super-saloon. It is unclear whether a V12-engined DBX would make series production, or if Aston would continue to leverage its partnership with AMG to secure V8 engines at a lower cost.

Aston Martin DBX: what’s to come

Autocar UK understands that Aston Martin will seek to offset the substantial cost of developing the DBX by introducing new bodystyles as well as a variety of engines. Variants on the cards include a rakish-roofed coupé variant, which designer Marek Reichman strongly hinted at last year, and an extended-wheelbase version with a focus on passenger luxury. 

Aston was recently spotted testing a V12-engined version of the Vantage coupé, which alongside an identically powered DBX would mean the firm offering 12-cylinder versions of all models except the V8-only Valhalla supercar.

Aston Martin in India

Aston Martin’s most recent launch in India was the DBX SUV, which is is priced from Rs 3.82 crore (ex-showroom). The British brand’s model line-up in India also includes the DB11 and Vantage supercars.

Also see:

2021 Aston Martin DBX video review

Aston Martin unveils limited edition Valkyrie Spider

New Aston Martin Valhalla breaks cover