Aston Martin Concept Is Part Crossover, Part GT

March 17, 2015

Ian Adcock

Could this DBX be pointing the way to Aston’s future design trends? The all-wheel-drive, high riding electric vehicle is aimed at a younger audience.

It’s not often that manufacturers manage to keep concepts secret these days, but Aston Martin managed to with the DBX shown to the public for the first time at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show. The all-wheel-drive, electric four-seater is an attempt to reach out to a broader, younger, and female buying sector than its current range does.

The extensive application of velvet-like Nubuck leather contrasts with the concept’s hard, hi-tech equipment. The exposed leather reveals a sandwiched accent layer, more akin to high-end furniture, while the car’s interior brightwork matches that of the exterior with the addition of a gold "pin striping" element on the edging.

“Conceptually where might Aston Martin go, it’s more of a crossover, but it’s still a GT,” said Ian Minards, Director of Product Development. “DBX technology—lithium sulphur cells—is a mid- to long-term project, but it sets the right direction for alternative drivelines for us, but I can’t quote you any hard facts on kilowatt hours or anything like that.

“Hybridization is a very broad church from stop-start to full electric vehicles; we have to be sure about the infrastructure. It’s as much about the supply side of the energy source as it is the storage.

“We have to look at electrical technologies that improve the efficiency of the overall driveline. I expect the next generation of Aston Martins to have stop-start. What excites me as an engineer is energy optimization; tire technology, lightweight, aerodynamics, and mass are all things we need to talk about."

DBX features drive-by-wire electric steering, toughened glass with an auto-dimming "smart glass" inter-layer, and bespoke driver and passenger head-up displays are further examples of its cutting-edge technology.

Active LED exterior lights, carbon ceramic brakes with a kinetic energy recovery system (KERS), and rear view cameras in place of conventional mirrors also underline the mold-breaking nature of this luxury GT concept.