Aston Martin reveals its fastest and most powerful SUV: the new 717bhp DBX S

This is the new Aston Martin DBX S, which takes the already punchy DBX707’s 4.0-litre biturbo V8 and turns it into something so punchy, you’d pay to see it slug it out in front of a sold-out Wembley crowd.

Because it uppercuts that 707 out the way to become the most powerful DBX on sale today. According to Aston, it also becomes the pointiest iteration of Gaydon’s super-tank, but we’ll come back to that shortly. First, some power.

The AMG-sourced 4.0-litre turbocharged V8 here gets training tips from the incoming, mid-engined Valhalla super-hyper-car in the shape of larger compressor wheel diameters and “other internal improvements”.

The increased focus on the heavy bag means the DBX S – using a suffix Aston’s quite keen on – has moved up a weight division, now able to deploy 717bhp, up from the 707’s… 697bhp. Torque is unchanged at 663lb ft. We’re told said power – the last thing a heavyweight loses, right – “provides even greater urgency at the very top of the rev range”.

From down below, you’re looking at 0-62mph in 3.3s which is quite outrageous movement from the big fella, a 0-124mph time 0.3s quicker than before, and an unchanged top speed of 193mph. Safe to say, it’s got some engine on it.

And a set of lungs, Aston claiming the modified exhaust system amplifies and adds character to the “natural voice of the thunderous V8 engine”. And it grunts, bobs and weaves its way around the ring using a more aggressive shift pattern in its modified nine-speed ‘wet clutch’ auto ‘box, and 4WD setup.

It’s not skimped on the roadwork, mind, because the new DBX S has lost a bit of flab thanks to a carbon fibre roof – the largest carbon unit ever fitted to an Aston Martin – that does away with roof rails, saving a full 18kg on its own. And because it’s from the roof, the centre of gravity has come down, too.

You can spec massive lightweight 23in magnesium wheels that remove another 19kg of mass, which deliver “improvements in ride quality, steering precision and feel”.

All in, it’s shed a faintly whopping 47kg of bulk from the DBX707, and with all the lightweight boxes ticked, it weighs in – goading the audience on the scales, no doubt – at 2,198kg.

Speaking of that steering, the ratio’s now four per cent faster and offers a reduced turning circle, now at 12m. The DBX S’s suspension remains as per last year’s updates (revised spring and damper settings), ditto the brakes: 420mm/390mm discs front and back, constructed from carbon ceramic.

The outside of the DBX S meanwhile, is constructed in a way that offers no doubt that this one fights for the biggest belt. There’s a black-vaned grille, a new splitter and diffuser combo up front, new sills with air splitters on the sides, a reprofiled rear bumper and diffuser and the arrival of stacked exhaust pipes.

While the outside is filled with noise and V8 fury, the inside is filled with lots of S badging, Alcantara, (or leather if you want), Aston’s latest infotainment setup, and a massive 800w stereo.

“The introduction of DBX S not only reaffirms our commitment to producing the most exciting, rewarding and beautiful cars, it also sends a powerful statement of intent about our ambitions not just for DBX, but for the Aston Martin brand,” said Aston boss Adrian Hallmark.

The ticket price for this knockout event? £210,000.