Aston Martin supercar: DBX

[blue8]

From Autoblog:
The DBX: Aston Martin's forthcoming supercar


In the wake of the Aston Martin sale last week, information about the green-lighting of the Rapide and the ramping up of the DBS was accompanied by a moniker that many assumed would be an all-wheel-drive version of the DB-series Aston: the DBX. According to AutoExpress, the DBX is actually a codename for a new Aston Martin flagship that will join the exalted ranks of the McLaren SLR, Bugatti Veyron and other hyper-exotics.

This new Aston supercar will be built on the aluminum and composite VH chassis and inspired by the Zagato, which originally launched back in 1986. Expect power to come from a highly-tuned 6.0L V12, making upwards of 700 HP and sending power to the rear wheels via six-speed manual gearbox. The new higher-ups have set performance targets that include a 0-60 sprint in under 3.7 seconds along with a top speed around 205 MPH.

Naturally, no pricing information is available, but according to AE's website, expect this ultra-Aston to carry a price tag in the £350,000 realm.

From AutoExpress:
Since the firm was taken over last week by a group of businessmen led by Prodrive chairman David Richards, boss Ulrich Bez has wasted no time in outlining his vision for the years ahead. As well as fast-tracking the development of models such as the DBS and four-door Rapide, Bez has hinted at a new flagship, codenamed DBX.

Aimed at the likes of the Mercedes McLaren SLR and Bugatti Veyron, the car would be a benchmark for pace and exclusivity for the British brand. While engineers and designers haven't revealed the performance targets they would set for the newcomer, it would sit on the firm's versatile vertical horizontal (VH) alumin*ium and composite chassis, and is likely to use a tuned version of the 6.0-litre V12 engine producing more than 700bhp.

That means a top speed in excess of 205mph and a 0-60mph time of less than 3.7 seconds. Inspired by the Aston Martin Zagato, launched back in 1986 primarily to reach 300km/h (186mph), the car will probably feature much of the technology which underpins the forthcoming DBS in a smaller, more potent package.

Power will be transferred to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox because, while Aston has access to both fully automatic and semi-automatic units, it's thought a manual will offer greater driver appeal.

New owner Prodrive is likely to be involved in much of the suspension and engine tuning, as was the case with the V8-engined Vantage.

Although prices have not yet been discussed, it's expected that the newcomer would be the most expensive model Aston Martin has ever made, with a tag of at least £350,000.

Meanwhile, bosses at the company have also confirmed that they intend to
increase sales volumes by speeding up production. Aston will employ more people, and is aiming to lift overall output to nearly 9,000 vehicles every year - up from its current volume of around 6,000 models.

-- Sounds interesting I just hope it doesn't weigh too much!

[saadie]

looks nice from the top ... not sure about how it would look from the front .. seems alot like vanquish

[stmoritzer]

but too many variables atm, let's see what the future brings

[TopGearNL]

Looks alot like the Quish indeed, but is that a bad thing?

Hope it will be an astonishing car!

[Fleischmann]

^^Maybe because that is a picture of the Vanquish

Great news, but I'm slightly concerned about the production volumes, I'd keep them the way they are. And 5 cars + the DBS like seems quite a long line up for such an exlusive car maker.

[Erez]

^ maybe they'll get cheaper

[Stoopie]

Good news! That picture is pretty nice too, good shot

[blue8]

Targeting the Veyron is ambitious on their part. With those numbers, they're obviously aiming the SLR and the exceptional 599 GTB. But with 700 BHP and achieving only 205mph and a 0-60mph time of less than 3.7 seconds is rather disappointing considering the 599 can reach and surpass those levels with more than 80BHP less.

[Vansquish]

Originally Posted by dani_d_mas Originally Posted by Fleischmann ^^Maybe because that is a picture of the Vanquish Great news, but I'm slightly concerned about the production volumes, I'd keep them the way they are. And 5 cars + the DBS like seems quite a long line up for such an exlusive car maker. Consider that a DBS-Vanquish replacer - so that makes it 4: V8, DB9, Rapide... and this. The DB9 is just tooo similar to the current Quish in everything that the new replacer need something more, something like 700hp And well - the DBS is nothing but a re-styling of the DB9, with improved dynamics. I really like the idea of an Aston supercar. Looks we're going back to the golden days of the supercar era with the EB110, the Macca, F40 and XJ220. What I do not like is the AWD platform. If they're thinking on a GT like the Veyron more than in a true sports car like the CGT... then it's ok - but a supercar SHOULD be RWD in my book :bah:

I think you might've misinterpreted. It sounds to me like the DBX moniker is denoting the new supercar, not an AWD platform.

[Z3uS]

Very good news!

[HeilSvenska]

Originally Posted by blue8

I doubt that this is the picture of whatever DBX is going to be. It's just a Vanquish.
Anyways... Isn't Aston Martin working on a DBS based flagship anyways? Arent DBX and DBS the same cars? Maybe?

[TopGearNL]

Maybe because that is a picture of the Vanquish

No shit!

But maybe its the same car or body, who knows? :bah:

[martin100]

It would be great if Aston would really build this! I´m sure it would be mindblowing. But it can in no way be compared to the Veyron like stated in the first post :roll:

[blue8]

From Autoblog:
Company officials swear it's not in the cards, but industry sources are suggesting that Aston Martin's new ownership is mulling over the possibility of building a mid-engined supercar to top the range.

When the announcement was made that Aston was going independent, CEO Ulrich Bez showed a product line-up that featured the codename NPX at the top, positioned above the $400,000 Rapide four-door coupe, which the automaker, infused with new capital and bolstered by growing sales, approved for production.

Currently the entire Aston line-up is based on the same front-engine, rear-wheel-drive platform, and according to the company's five-year plan, that's not set to change. Not yet, at least, but that's not to say it couldn't change after 2010 when the plan expires and the automaker will have to set a new direction.

This isn't the first time Aston was reported to have been considering a mid-engined model, as the entry-level V8 Vantage was originally planned as a mid-engined model to face off against the Ferrari 360 Modena. If the NPX gets the green light, however, the sites will be set considerably higher on the Enzo's successor.