One of the most hotly anticipated new cars of the moment, Aston Martin has confirmed that it’s soon to be available SUV – the DBX – has begun testing, notably with a run on the famous Welsh Rally stage, in deference to its new production facility at St Athan, in Wales.

Painted in the usual camouflage colour scheme seen on prototypes – designed to ensure pictures do not give away the true lines of a car – the design has already undergone serious simulation testing, with the run in Wales the start of real trials on actual roads.

The DBX is expected to be taken to locations with extreme conditions – likely destinations being the frozen lands of the Arctic, scorching deserts of the Middle East, and the challenging Alpine passes. The car is also expected to be put through its paces at the Nürburgring, the legendary 14-mile race track in Germany.

Unique Challenge

The challenge faced by the company in developing the Aston Martin DBX is that of combining capable off-road ability with the sporting aspects that the brand is known for. Chief Engineer Matt Becker, who drove the car in Wales, said:

“As an engineer, it’s genuinely exciting to get a feel for the car you’re working to create. DBX is a very different kind of Aston Martin, but we will be testing it in all conditions and across all terrains to ensure it delivers a driving experience worthy of the wings badge.”

Due to be launched to the market in the latter part of 2019, the car will be the first to be built at the St Athan plant, a state of the art facility that has been designed to cater for a future where electric Aston Martins are the norm. It is, therefore, a landmark model in the history of Aston Martin, as confirmed by the President and CEO of the Aston Martin Lagonda Group, who explained:

“Seeing a DBX development prototype in action is a momentous chapter in the story of our first SUV, for it is the moment it really comes alive. DBX is so much more than ‘just’ an SUV; it will be the first model built at our brand-new facility in St Athan. As such, it is very much the start of a bold new era in the company’s long history.”

We look forward to the launch eagerly, as this truly is a very exciting new model from one of the most prestigious brands of all.