Aston Martin DBX S Unveiled as a Supercar on Stilts

The advent of the high-performance SUV forced automakers and enthusiasts to rejig the commonly accepted definition of a supercar. Due out in the fourth quarter of 2025, the new Aston Martin DBX S lends even more credibility to the argument that a supercar doesn’t necessarily need to have two doors.

Aston Martin proudly slots the DBX S above the DBX 707, which has been positioned at the top of the range since it made its debut for the 2023 model year. Taken out of context, the list of changes made to the big SUV sounds like the British company is talking about one of its two-door two-seaters. The “S” designation denotes a more powerful V-8, more muscular styling, and an optional lightweight package.

The twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 that Aston Martin gets from Mercedes-AMG and tunes in-house remains, but it now develops 717 horsepower at 6,250 rpm and 664 pound-feet of torque from 3,000 to 5,250 rpm. For context, the 707 is rated at 697 horsepower, though it offers the same amount of torque. Hitting 62 mph from a stop takes just 3.3 seconds, and the 193-mph top speed remains unchanged.

Aston Martin claims it transferred technology developed for the upcoming Valhalla supercar to the DBX to increase the V-8’s output, including a larger compressor wheel in each turbo. The engine spins the four wheels via a nine-speed automatic transmission whose shift points have been revised, and an all-wheel-drive system with variable torque distribution. The system can send up to 50% of the available torque to the front wheels, and, crucially, up to 100% of the torque to the back wheels for rear-wheel-drive fun.

Drive the DBX S the way Aston Martin wants it to be driven, and you’ll likely notice that the steering is 4% faster than the 707’s. The SUV benefits from the same suspension updates rolled out to the rest of the range in 2024, and it comes with a carbon-ceramic braking system that includes 16.5-inch front rotors.

More power is great, but less weight makes it even more enjoyable. Aston Martin ticked both boxes when designing the DBX S. There’s an optional carbon fiber roof panel that lowers the center of gravity; It’s the biggest piece of carbon fiber the brand has ever put on a car. SUVs ordered with it aren’t equipped with roof rails, which contributes to a weight saving of nearly 40 pounds. Buyers who want an even lighter DBX can pay extra for 23-inch magnesium wheels, which weigh a third less than comparable alloy wheels, saving 41 pounds of unsprung weight. Pricing for these options hasn’t been announced.

Several visual changes set the S apart from the 707, including a redesigned grille, sharper-looking side skirts with integrated air splitters, and vertically-stacked exhaust outlets. Inside, the company added a herringbone-like motif to the seats, a blend of leather and Alcantara upholstery, and, of course, the new infotainment system it developed in-house. Buyers can replace the 800-watt, 14-speaker sound system that comes standard with a 23-speaker, 1,600-watt surround sound system created by Bowers & Wilkins.

Pricing information hasn’t been announced, but we expect that the DBX S will cost well over $250,000. Supercar-like performance and supercar-like styling command a supercar-like price tag, after all.