Aston Martin’s plan to launch the DBX crossover in 2019 took a major step to meeting its schedule after the British automaker confirmed that the design of the production version of the vehicle has been completed and given the green light by company executives.

News of the development comes by way of Autocar, which quoted Aston Martin CEO, Andy Palmer, confirming the progress and admitting that the finished production design will adapt many of the important design elements found on the concept version that we first saw at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show. That said, Palmer also admitted that the production version will be a far departure from the concept’s overall styling, not the least of which is the confirmed fact that the production model will indeed feature four standard doors as opposed to the two-door setup of the concept. Essentially, the production version of the DBX will look a lot like the concept, and nothing like it all at the same time. In other words, it’ll just be like every other production model that came before it that traced its roots to a concept vehicle. Still, there’s enough reason to be excited about the DBX crossover, especially if it ends up being as groundbreaking of a crossover as Aston Martin is making it out to be.

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What can we expect from the production-spec Aston Martin DBX’s design?

Note: Aston Martin DBX Concept shown here.

I’m putting on my thinking hat for this exercise because a vivid imagination is going to be needed to picture what the production version of the DBX crossover is going to look like. Obviously, I’m going to take cues from CEO Andy Palmer’s comments since he did say that “there are aspects of the car that have changed dramatically.” At the very least, Palmer is alluding to the fact that the production-spec DBX will carry four doors so, off the bat, I can imagine the crossover being longer than the concept version.

Palmer also added that many details from the concept have been modified, though the “fundamental core principles of the car” will still be recognizable. This is the tricky part because he’s essentially saying that the DBX will be an exercise in paradox: different, yet still the same.

The first thing I can think off is that in addition to being longer than the concept, the production version will also sit a little higher, in part because it’s still going to need ample space in the interior to accommodate at least four full-sized adults. Aston Martin, after all, is still a luxury brand, so interior space is going to be a premium requirement.


On the front end, I don’t expect the concept’s lighting structure to remain the same. It’s razor-thin qualities appeal from a concept level, but when it comes to practical production use, it’s not going to be as effective as Aston’s production-styled headlights. Edgy teardrop eyes like the ones found on the just-unveiled Vanquish Volante is my best guess. Likewise, I don’t expect Aston Martin’s unmistakable front grille to be as big as it is on the concept version. Shrink that to a more balanced size and beef up the bumpers a little bit to make them more pronounced. That should make it more production-ready than its current design. I am curious about that chrome lip spoiler on the concept and what Aston’s plans for the production model will be. It could retain it though I don’t think it’s going to be that subtle. Maybe the production version will have one that’s integrated into the front bumper. Best guess on my end.

As far as the roofline is concerned, the floating C-pillar on the concept version is a very nice touch, but I don’t think that’s making it to the production model, partly because doing it on a longer version will make it too bold of a styling touch for the company. The belt and shoulder lines should be visible in the production model, though not as prominent as the ones on the concept. The rear end is a little bit tricky to predict because as aggressive as the concept is, it kind of works on a visceral level. Maybe the length of the production model will help make it more rounded - too many edges and sharp angles on the concept - but as far as the layout is concerned, I do think that there’s going to be a lot of its characteristics that will make it to the production version.

Then there’s the interior of the concept. No arguments from me. That’s going to change by a lot.

References

Aston Martin DBX Concept

Read our full review on the Aston Martin DBX Concept.

2018 Aston Martin Vanquish S Volante

Read our full review on the 2018 Aston Martin Vanquish S Volante.