The Aston Martin DBX is a luxury crossover SUV that has been designed with both performance and style in mind. Combining a stunning exterior design with an incredibly powerful engine and state-of-the-art technology, the DBX is sure to turn heads wherever it goes. The DBX was first introduced as a concept at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show and appeared to be a sports coupé turned into a more traditional SUV with 22-inch wheels.
Engine & Performance
The luxury SUV is fueled by a Mercedes-AMG twin-turbo V8 gas engine, 4 liters with 550 hp and 700 Nm of max torque. Though Aston Martin already employs this power unit in the Vantage & DB11 sports cars, it’s been modified to provide even more juice. An active exhaust system allows the SUV to toggle between sounding refined or excitingly sporty–and either way, its unmistakable sound will turn heads.
The engine’s versatility isn’t just limited to its sound as this V8 engine features cylinder deactivation to improve fuel economy, but it can also propel the DBX from 0 to 62 mp/h in 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 181 mp/h. Power transmission is provided by a 9-speed automatic transmission, and the drive is on all four wheels via an active central differential and an electronic differential with limited slip at the rear (off). It also has an air suspension. The size of its tires is 285/40R22.
Interior Features & Specs
The DBX comes with standard features such as a 10.25-inch infotainment screen, lane departure warning, blind spot warning, and heated seats. It is also equipped with safety features like forward collision warning and adaptive cruise control. This is the first Aston Martin to offer lane-keeping assist. Its weight is 4,949 lb, and the trunk volume is 632 liters, with the possibility of lowering the rear seats’ backrests in the ratio of 40:20:40.
The DBX is being built at Aston Martin’s new factory in St Athan, South Wales. The DBX will set you back about $90,000in the US. That’s roughly in line with the prices of most of its SUV competitors, such as the Bentley Bentayga, Lamborghini Urus, and Rolls-Royce Cullinan.
Conclusion
The Aston Martin DBX is truly a marvel of engineering regarding luxury SUVs – offering exceptional performance, exquisite design details inside and out, cutting-edge technology, and advanced safety features – all wrapped up in one beautiful package!
At this point, there are a few big names in the luxury SUV game. Some of those players are the ever-popular Mercedes-Benz G Class, Land Rovers of all types, and Porsche. While a highly-regarded marque that produces quality vehicles, Audi generally hasn’t made huge waves in the luxury SUV world to compete with some of the aforementioned brands; their textbook German austerity and build quality has translated to a solid lineup of SUVs, but nothing really designed to compete with the “old money” feel and off-road prowess of a G Class, or the sheer performance of the Cayenne… until now. Or rather, until “a few years from now.”
Audi has teased its new “Activesphere” concept, which is essentially a slick crossover that can actually be converted into a truck, and, perhaps more importantly, a recently-announced upcoming luxury 4×4 which is likely to share a lot of similarities with the Activesphere. Instead of a car-like crossover like the Activesphere, this will be a real-deal luxury SUV designed to compete with the top contenders in the niche, with the addition of something fairly unique in Audi’s current lineup – 4×4 capability.
This sleek and stylish SUV looks to have all the features of the Mercedes G Class and Land Rover Defender, but with the addition of advanced electric technology to really bring the Audi name into the 21st century. Let’s dive in and take a look at what we know so far about the new Activesphere, and by extension, what may be coming down the pipeline from Audi’s SUV group in the future.
State of the Audi
Currently, Audi sports quite a few well-recieved SUVs in their lineup. From the more entry-level Q3 and Q5 to the performance-focused SQ8, there’s something for everyone. The Q3 is perfect for urban adventures, while the larger Q5 has a great balance of power and fuel efficiency. For those looking for something a bit sportier, the SQ8 offers luxury and performance, with an intelligent all-wheel-drive system that delivers an unparalleled driving experience.
They have begun to dabble their toes into the electric (and partially-electric) vehicle market, as well. Current offerings include the all-electric Q4 e-tron and the partially electric SQ7. Audi also currently offers a range of hybrids and plug-in hybrids, based on models including the Q5, A6, and A7. Moving forward, Audi has announced plans to expand its range of all-electric vehicles in the coming years, as part of its commitment to reducing carbon emissions and increasing sustainability. This leads us to the Activesphere concept, and, further down the road, an all-new electric 4×4.
Activesphere Aesthetics
On the outside, the Activesphere is a slick, great-looking electric vehicle. Riding high and with slick styling punctuated by some ski holders on the roof, it’s almost reminiscent of the profile of the new Porsche Dakar. The Activesphere looks to carry a suspension lift, as well as all-terrain tires to ensure the Audi can live up to its name. Of course, the streamlined styling is good for more than just looks; aerodynamics are critical to maintaining decent mileage on electric vehicles. The interior is typical of the newest crop of electric vehicles, featuring a minimal dash and quality Alcantara-looking upholstery. It’s also claimed to make use of Augmented Reality technology to improve the driving experience, but details on this specific feature are scant at this point.
An Electric Future
The Activesphere concept also features a new battery-electric powertrain, an intelligent regenerative braking system, and a host of other innovative features to elevate Audi’s electric lineup to the cream of the crop. Many, if not most, of the design and engineering cues featured here will make it to the SUV, including an all-new ladder frame. While you’d normally never pay it any mind, the frame is a crucial component of electric vehicles, as it must support the tremendous weight of the batteries required, and also maintain enough capability to ensure owners are able to use their electric SUVs more or less like a regular truck.
A Lot to Look Forward To
An all-electric, 4×4 Audi SUV is certainly something to look forward to. Unfortunately, it looks slated to hit the streets four years from press time, in 2023. In the meantime, we will keep you updated with the latest news from Audi and the development of this vehicle. This electric 4×4 will likely hit the market around the same time as the fully-electric G Class, perhaps even sooner, and will likely be a strong seller for Audi, although it’s impossible to predict just where the EV market will end up five years from now. Will we see continuing electrification
With its unique combination of performance, luxury, and sustainability that we know of so far, the new Audi EV SUV looks like it will be a formidable player in the luxury SUV market – and the Activesphere looks great, too!
A very intriguing development in the automotive industry is the introduction of SUVs (Sport Utility Vehicles). SUV is a term largely used to define a wide range of four-wheeled vehicles, and it is known for its classic blend of both on-road and off-road features to give a convenient passenger and driver experience. The SUV is also known for its vast contribution to global environmental degradation and poor performance on fuel use.
However, there’s a new twist to that tale as Mercedes introduces its all-new electric EQS SUV models, leading the front line for the next generation of vehicles. With an estimated price of over $100,000, the electric SUV will come in two models, the EQS 580 and 450 4MATIC, offering comfort, excellent built interior, and awesome performance.
What You Should Know About the Mercedes Benz 2023 EQS SUV
The two models of the Mercedes Benz EQS SUV are fully packed with different optional modifications that you can choose to suit your taste. And these options are; a bespoke interior that’s alluring and cool, great connectivity and infotainment features, more seating and space, cutting-edge technology, and its all-new electric motor setting. The Mercedes Benz EQS SUV also offers an off-road feature that allows the car to face varying terrains without causing the user to panic.
Here’s a look at some of the specific features of the EQS:
Torque, Performance, and Power The SUV is designed to allow for more space and seating allocation, which requires great power and performance from the engine. The two models of the Mercedes Benz SUV have their respective specifications for power but still offer great value. The EQS580 offers 630lb-ft and 536 horsepower providing an all-wheel-drive between its rear and front-mounted electric motors. In comparison, the EQS45O provides 355 horsepower and a single motor rear-wheel drive, accelerating up to 60 miles per hour in less than seven seconds. Also offering an off-road feature that motorists might never use, the EQS SUV provides a technology designed to tackle off-road terrains such as gravel, sand, and others. It has an adaptive air suspension and rear axle system, which makes steering easier and increases mobility.
Battery, Charging, and Driving Range The Mercedes Benz EQS SUV does its best to give optimum performance with its lithium-ion battery pack of 107.8 kwh. The vehicle has up to 316 miles of driving range in all-wheel drive and 333 miles in rear-wheel drive. The electric SUV offers fast charging, as Mercedes estimates a 31-minute fast DC charge time, going up from 10% to 80% in minutes.
Design The EQS SUV has a great structural design to make the exterior and interior parts of the car look sleek. A few features are seen on the vehicle’s exterior that give the car an aerodynamic edge at every level. One of such features is a smooth platform underneath the vehicle supplemented with spoilers to add to the dimension and smoothly sculpted panels on either side of the car, so it can separate the airflow and increase wind resistance. Also, it has a well-carved roofline and narrowed backline complemented with LED lighting to give it the ultimate GLS-class look.
The interior of the EQS SUV is as bespoke as any other Mercedes Benz SUV. The car is designed to give more room for shoulders, heads, and cargo, and the world-class interior provides riders with comfort. Mercedes maintains its use of polished metals and leather while offering a seat setting for up to seven passengers. It features active ambient lighting with combinations of various colors and a 12-inch touchscreen system in the front part of the car, and you can electronically adjust the seats. It also features an energized high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, which uses active carbon to prevent the introduction of dust and pollen grains into the car atmosphere. Still, in the car’s internal environment, passengers can sift through five pre-installed climate zones using a panel. It has a 56-inch Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) hyper screen, which uses OLED technology to deliver the best image quality despite the lighting condition and covers the dashboard’s full area. This feature is the most scintillating of all features of the EQS, but it does have a slight problem with reflection, and it is only available in one of the two models of the EQS SUV.
Other features worthy of note include:
The Dolby Atmos sound system and Burmester speakers provide a 3D user experience.
A unique car fragrance. The No. 6 Mood Mimosa gives the EQS SUV an earthy feel, and the HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filter prevents passengers from smelling the outdoor environment.
A 17-inch screen for infotainment.
A huge cargo space of about 31 inches.
Massaging, heating, and cooling options for the front seats and seating for up to seven people.
New and standard Silver Waves and Vivid Flux soundscapes.
Comfort, Eco, Individual, and Sport driving modes for the driver to choose from.
On road assistance such as lane-keeping, monitoring of blind spots and packing assistance.
The Mercedes Benz EQS SUV has been estimated to cost between a hundred and ten thousand dollars to a hundred and thirty thousand dollars ($110,000 – $130,000) for both models. With equipment ranging from the standard rear-axle steering, active ambient lighting, and MBUX multimedia system, Burmester speakers, a smoothly sculpted roof cover, wireless charging, and an OLED central screen. And also, optional features such as the 56-inch, multiple units futuristic hyper screen, optional third-row seating, an onboard camera system, and varying climate control zones, the EQS SUV is definitely worth its official price. Different companies are trying to up their game in the production of SUVs, since Mercedes has blazed a trail in the SUV automotive market. The EQS SUV is one for the books. All-electric technology lowers the risk of environmental degradation and combines on and off-road features for user comfort, world-class interior, infotainment features, and driving assistance. The Mercedes Benz EQS SUV will be a huge brand in the electric SUV market.
