Aston Martin Spied Testing New DBX Hybrid

Aug. 28, 2021 6:11 AM ET by Martin Bigg Spy Shots / 1 Comment

Aston Martin's first hybrid SUV will debut later this year.

It's no surprise that Aston Martin has big plans for the DBX. Aston Martin's first-ever SUV has been a huge success, increasing the company's sales by 224 percent in the first half of 2021. Despite only being on sale since last year, the DBX already accounts for half of Aston Martin's sales.

To capitalize on its success, Aston Martin is planning a huge expansion for the DBX family, starting with a mild-hybrid variant. The first electrified Aston Martin DBX is expected to arrive later this year, but our spy photographers have provided us with a sneak peek ahead of its debut.

Spied racing around the Nurburgring, this hybrid Aston Martin DBX prototype is completely undisguised since there are no visible exterior changes. However, the round yellow sticker in the rear window indicates the prototype undergoing testing has an electrified powertrain under the hood. As there is no charging port, the prototype we're looking at is not a plug-in hybrid.

Powering the standard DBX is a Mercedes-AMG sourced 4.0-liter V8 producing 542 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. The mild-hybrid version is expected to utilize the same 3.0-liter turbocharged straight-six and electric motor as the GLE 53. In the GLE 53, this setup generates 429 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque, with the electric motor providing an extra 22 hp when needed.

If you want more power, the upcoming plug-in hybrid DBX will reportedly be V8-powered, with electrical assistance potentially boosting the output to around 800 horsepower since it will use the same hybrid technology as the Mercedes-AMG GT73e. However, the plug-in hybrid DBX isn't expected to arrive until 2023.

Aston Martin is also planning to launch a high-performance, non-electrified DBX that will take on the Lamborghini Urus. Looking ahead, Aston Martin CEO Tobias Moers hinted that Aston Martin also wants to experiment with different body styles, including a coupe-style DBX and a luxury variant with three rows of seats. After the mild-hybrid DBX debuts later this year, it will most likely go on sale in 2022 as a 2023 model.

Discover more information on hybrid SUVs with the best MPG.