SUVs have become dominant players for the world's most prestigious automotive brands. Bentley, Porsche, Rolls-Royce, and Lamborghini all sell them and buyers keep flocking. It makes sense that Aston Martin wants to enter the game and will do so this December when its DBX is officially unveiled. The UK automaker has previously released near production-ready prototypes covered in light camouflage so we know, more or less, what it will look like. We also know it'll come powered, at least initially, by a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8, the very same one, sourced from Mercedes-AMG, found in the Vantage and DB11. However, this V8 produces a maximum of 503 hp in both vehicles. The DBX is a different story.

Aston Martin has now confirmed the DBX will have a total of 542 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. Yes, it is the most powerful V8 in the automaker's current lineup. It kind of has to be given that the DBX is not exactly a small and lightweight vehicle.

Extensive testing is currently underway and Aston Martin reports the DBX can exceed 180 mph, though final top speed and acceleration figures have yet to be set. Durability testing at the Nurburgring is also ongoing as the DBX has delivered cornering speeds on par with the Vantage. In fact, the DBX has achieved braking figures greater than the DBS Superleggera. The Ring testing team has also successfully accomplished a sub-8-minute Ring lap time.

Aston Martin has also released the included video that's really more of an engine soundtrack. The development team tuned the DBX's exhaust system to reflect a deep bass with increasing mid-tones for "true auditory exhilaration." Fine by us.

"We have concentrated our work to ensure that the calibration and tune of this 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 delivers both the everyday usability and refinement expected by SUV owners," said Matt Becker, Aston Martin's chief engineer. "However, we have also focused heavily on matching that with the engaging driving dynamics that are commanded by our brand and inherent in every Aston Martin and early indications of the car's overall performance have been incredibly promising."

We'll have complete Aston Martin DBX details in December, though an announcement regarding exactly where and when that will happen has yet to be made.