Video: New Aston Martin DBX S fires up the Festival of Speed Hill

Just as the Vantage S that’s running up the Hill at the 2025 Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard is a faster, more powerful and more dynamic version of the standard Vantage, the DBX S takes the standard DBX to another level. 

There are modifications aplenty, including a revised 4.0-litre, twin-turbo V8 engine that produces 727PS (535kW), up by 20PS compared to the regular DBX. Torque remains the same at 900Nm (664lb ft), but that’s OK - consider the fact a LaFerrari produced exactly the same amount… 

How has Aston found more power? By taking know-how from the incoming Valhalla, so there are larger diameter compressor wheels and other internal engine upgrades. There’s a new exhaust, too, while 47kg has been stripped away from the car, of which a whopping 18kg can be attributed to a new carbon-fibre roof.

Zero to 62mph takes just 3.3 seconds, with power going through a revised nine-speed wet clutch transmission. Like the DBX 707, 50 per cent of the car’s power can go to the front wheels, but crucially 100 per cent can go to the rear wheels. Speaking of wheels, the optional 23-inch magnesium items contribute further weight savings.

Other adjustments to the DBX S include a quicker steering ratio, revised air spring and electronic damper calibrations, plus 420mm front carbon-ceramic brake discs and 390mm rears. There are cosmetic changes too, like a new splitter and rear diffuser (available in carbon-fibre to save another 7kg), and quad exhausts that are vertically stacked. 

There’s an Aston Martin Premium Audio 800w 14-speaker system as standard, and a lovely 23-speaker Bowers & Wilkins system available as an option, but we strongly suspect that whoever was driving the DBX S up the Hill today wasn’t listening to the stereo.

Photography by Joe Harding.