Aston to bring DBX concept to production

In news that may generate debate and/or significant shouting, Aston Martin has announced it will bring Geneva's DBX crossover concept to production.

In a statement announcing £200m of fresh funding, new CEO Andy Palmer confirmed Aston will move into the luxury GT crossover market with ‘a new vehicle based on the DBX concept'.

"The DBX concept has generated interest far beyond our expectations," admitted Palmer. "The additional investment announced today will allow us to realise the DBX, and other new luxury vehicles."

Quite how closely the production Aston crossover will resemble the DBX remains unclear: the Geneva concept was very much a toe-in-the-water design study, rather than a preview of an almost-finished car.

Remember the concept didn't even employ a traditional, many-cylindered Aston engine, instead an all-electric powertrain driving all four wheels.

It's unlikely a road-going Aston crossover would launch with battery power alone, though it could employ a hybrid drivetrain. It's unclear when the production crossover might arrive, but we'd expect it to be several years away.

Aston's desire to fast-track a crossover stems, of course, from an insatiable appetite for SUVs in expanding markets, particularly China. Purists might baulk at the idea of a high-riding Aston, but perhaps it's a fair price to pay if it generates enough cash for Gaydon to keep building beauties like the Vantage GT3 (sorry, GT12).

And whatever you think about the looks of the DBX, don't forget it's a sight better than the Lagonda concept of 2009...