Bond, your family transportation device has arrived. This is 007’s daily driver, surely. It’s as cool as the British spy agent, with the power and presence of a classic Aston Martin. What more could you want from a high-end luxury SUV?

You could think of the DBX707 as the first major update for the DBX since Aston Martin decided to dive into the lucrative market of luxury SUVs with the original DBX back in 2020. But the brand kind of needed to as the original DBX’s engine developed only 405kW, which is hardly competitive against the likes of the Lamborghini Urus (478kW). So what’s it like in ‘707’ form? Let’s take a look. latest car news in australia

2023 Aston Martin DBX707: What is it?

Firstly, yes, that 707 in the name relates to how much power it has. It’s still powered by a Mercedes-AMG-sourced 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, but now it belts out a massive 707PS/520kW and a substantial 900Nm. That latter figure is particularly impressive and useful, as we’ll discuss further below.

Aside from the boost in engine output, mainly thanks to a pair of new ballbearing turbochargers, the 707 also brings in a revised nine-speed transmission. Instead of a more conventional torque-convertor automatic, Aston Martin has borrowed Mercedes-AMG’s ‘MCT’ nine-speed.

Although it is often confused as a dual-clutch unit, as MCT stands for multi-clutch technology. However, the clutch system is only used during initial take-off. After that the gearbox operates as a normal, albeit high-performance automatic. Proper launch control is now possible.

In Australia the standard DBX is still available and is priced from $387,800, which is actually not that high for this calibre of product. And then the DBX707 starts from $428,400 (not including on-road costs).

2023 Aston Martin DBX707: What does it come with?

This is basically a super grand tourer that’s been given some platform shoes. It is an Aston Martin through and through, in that it eats up the countryside with absolute pomp and proudness but it’s still a drop-dead gorgeous model that could roll up to any red-carpet event and nobody would take their eyes off it.

Aston Martin has applied some tweaks to the suspension and steering for the 707 compared with the regular DBX, and if you’re an avid follower of the brand or just know your stuff, you’ll spot various revisions made to the design.

The biggest telltale sign that this is the 707 and not just the DBX is the quad-barrel exhausts at the back. These are much more imposing and aggressive than the standard twin-shot pea-shooters. Added theatre is provided by a new carbon fibre diffuser element at the back that features more pronounced fins, and there’s a carbon fibre lip extension for the tailgate/roof spoiler.

Inside, just look at it. It’s a spectacular display of pampering luxury, with supple leather extended across almost every surface, exclusive exotica with drapes of carbon fibre all over the centre console, and lots of vivacity in the curvaceous shapes and fine attention to detail.

This is a luxury SUV at the end of the day so you can expect a great deal of comfort and convenience, and practicality for that matter. The boot volume, listed at 632 litres, is very useful, and passenger space in the four main seats is plentiful.

Aston Martin uses its own 10.25-inch multimedia interface which supports Apple CarPlay but not Android Auto. It does run logical menu paths and it is fairly intuitive, but we think the graphics and on-screen colour combinations are not as flamboyant as the rest of the vehicle. It just doesn’t wow us as much as we were expecting.

A similar thing could be said about the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. It shows all the information you want and need, and the TFT technology means clarity is exceptional. But just in terms of capturing your attention and making you want to look at it in more detail, it doesn’t match the stunning overall design.

Part of the problem is the fact that almost every car comes with a big fancy touch-screen these days. Even budget-conscious cars are now featuring quite fancy digital clusters, too. And that makes it harder for elite brands like Aston Martin to stand out while running with the same fundamental concept. We rather the mechanical appreciation of analogue dials. Fashion always seems to overpower logic and substance, it seems.

Fortunately, the only thing that really matters inside is that it feels ultra exclusive and special. And it certainly does. Especially if specified in the vivid blue package showcased on this test car.

2023 Aston Martin DBX707: Fun factor

This is where the DBX707 really comes alive and proves its core values. Looking at this beast, measuring over five metres long (5039mm) and weighing over 2.2 tonnes (2245kg), you just wouldn’t expect it to feel or behave like it does when tackling corners.

Aston Martin engineers have broken the laws of physics. Punt it down a set of very demanding twisty turns and you’ll immediately experience an irresistible smile, stretching wide across your face. It holds on with such vigour and confidence, it’s difficult to comprehend.

A lot of the cornering capability comes thanks to the 22-inch alloy wheels that are wrapped in monstrous 285/40 front and 325/35 rear Pirelli P Zero tyres. Buyers can option up to a set of planet-sized 23-inch wheels as well, but for sheer driving performance we reckon the standard 22s are better suited.

You never get tired of the engine sound. It sounds deep and dirty, like god gargling while accidentally stepping on an upright nail. It’s so nasty yet sultry, and very addictive. But it’s not just the engine sound, the performance that comes with it is mind-blowing.

Aston Matin claims a 0-100km/h time of just 3.3 seconds, and using a private road we timed it in 3.55 seconds with a Vbox. Our time was achieved in warm conditions and on average tarmac, so we have no trouble believing the official claim.

Kick-down is just immense. The heaving g-force as it kicks back and relentlessly pushes you forward is nothing short of supercar excitement. It doesn’t feel like there is any turbo-lag but the transmission isn’t as quick to respond as a dual-clutch setup. But it would be unreasonable to expect that as this is not a dual-clutch unit.

Where that helps is during mundane driving, when you’re simply heading over to your next meeting. Even under stop-start conditions in traffic, this MCT unit is very smooth and decisive, and if you select Sport mode it’ll automatically downshift a bit earlier for you and withhold upshifts until higher RPMs.

2023 Aston Martin DBX707: Should you buy one?

Well, if you love the idea of having an Aston Martin that can take four people and go off road (who doesn’t), then of course. By all means. It’s very powerful, carries a lot of presence, and is built by perhaps one of the coolest car brands known to man.