Aston Martin is introducing a DBX that's fitted with a 3.0-liter straight-six turbo gasoline engine. This, however, is only limited to China, but it does increase the DBX's appeal in that market even further.

This is the first time since the DB7 from 1999 that a straight-six has been fitted under the hood of an Aston Martin. Unlike past straight-sixes though, this one is sourced from Mercedes-AMG, which means has a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. The addition of a smaller, less-powerful engine is an answer to China's tax structure that favors smaller displacement engines.

The smaller engine means that the new DBX Straight-Six (as it is officially called in China) is less powerful than its V8-powered sibling. Whereas the DBX V8 produces 542 horsepower and 516 lb-ft (700 Nm) of torque, the DBX Straight-Six is good for 435 horsepower and 383 lb-ft (520 Nm) of torque. Connected to this engine is a Mercedes-sourced nine-speed torque-converter automatic.

As expected, the DBX Straight-Six does not accelerate as quickly as the DBX with the 4.0-liter V8 to 62 mph (100 km/h). The former does it in 5.4 seconds, while the latter is able to do the same job 0.9 seconds quicker. Likewise, the DBX Straight-Six has a lower top speed of 161 mph (259 km/h) versus the V8's 181 mph (291 km/h).

Also unsurprising is the DBX Straight-Six's improved fuel economy, which is rated at 10.5 l/100 km (22.4 mpg) under European WLTP testing, which is strange China and Europe have different testing methods. This is in contrast to the DBX V8's 14.3 l/100 km (16.4 mpg) fuel economy figure, also using the WLTP cycle.

Apart from the new engine, the DBX Straight-Six also benefits from a Mercedes-AMG-sourced rear electronic limited-slip differential (LSD) with a carbon fiber driveshaft, adaptive air suspension, and electronically-controlled anti-roll bars.

On the outside, the DBX Straight-Six sets itself apart with its "straight-six" badging located at the front fenders. A couple of new wheel designs are also being offered, and they range from 21- to 23-inches in size.

The new Aston Martin DBX Straight-Six starts at 1.898 million Chinese yuan (around 297,689), which is much less than the DBX V8 at 2.298 million Chinese yuan (around $360,425).