More Power, Less Weight, Cooler Exhaust

Once upon a time, there were two versions of the Aston Martin DBX to choose from. Nobody wanted the base DBX with only 542 horsepower, so it was canned from the lineup last year. That left the 697-hp DBX707 as the only choice—until now. Say hello to the even more powerful DBX S.

Aston Martin engineers massaged the twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 to 717 horsepower, using turbo upgrades borrowed from the Valhalla. It’s a minor change, but it allows the SUV to reach 124 mph (200 km/h) a few tenths of a second quicker. The 60-mph sprint is still 3.1 seconds, and top speed is unchanged, at 193 mph. The only factory-stock SUV that can outrun the big Aston is the Lamborghini Urus SE, and even then, it’s by a paltry 1 mph.

Photo by: Aston Martin

Photo by: Aston Martin

Photo by: Aston Martin

To make better use of the power, the DBX S has remapped shift points for its nine-speed transmission should you let the box do the work. Grabbing gears in Sport and Sport + mode is firmer and quicker, and the steering is a bit tighter, with a faster ratio.

The all-wheel-drive system is unchanged from the DBX707, meaning up to 50 percent can go to the front or all can go to the rear, as conditions allow. The suspension is also unchanged, though Aston Martin reminds us the DBX received recalibrated underpinnings as part of last year’s refresh. That includes 16.5-inch carbon-ceramic brakes in front and 15.3-inch discs at the rear.

You won’t find any notable interior changes aside from trim options and S branding, but outside is a different story. A modified front fascia has a more aggressive splitter, and at the back, a new rear fascia holds a more prominent diffuser in a cleaner overall design. You probably won’t notice that, however, since there’s a new stacked exhaust layout at the back. The dual tips per side are now vertically oriented, reminiscent of a Lexus IS F.

Weight reduction is also part of the DBX S magic. New 23-inch magnesium wheels, which Aston claims are a first for SUVs, shave 41 pounds compared to aluminum. There’s a carbon fiber roof that also cuts weight, and it’s the largest single carbon fiber piece Aston Martin has ever fitted to a vehicle. A new honeycomb grille derived from the DBS 770 Ultimate is also lighter, and since it sits at the very front, it improves the DBX’s weight distribution. Other carbon fiber bits are available too, from mirrors to door sills. The changes cut just over 100 pounds from the DBX, for a new curb weight of 4,846 pounds.

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Source: Aston Martin

But there’s a major caveat here. None of these changes are standard for the DBX S. Not the wheels, the roof, grille, none of it. You’ll have to pay extra to lose the weight, which has us thinking DBX buyers may not mind the SUV’s 2.5-ton mass. Still, it seems strange to offer an upgraded trim where a good chunk of the upgrades are optional extras.

How much do those options cost? Aston Martin doesn’t have any pricing information available now, but generally speaking, magnesium wheels and gobs of carbon fiber don’t come cheap. The 2025 DBX707 already starts at around $260,000, so buyers seeking a more powerful DBX S with less mass could be looking at over $300,000 before all is said and done.

We should know later this year. Deliveries for the 2026 DBX S will begin in the fall of 2025.