Aston Martin DBX Straight Six Debuts with Mercedes-Sourced Engine

It is currently only available for China.

It was inevitable, and now it’s official – the Aston Martin DBX Straight-Six is officially unveiled. This engine is only available for China. Arriving as the brand’s first six-cylinder model in more than two decades, the luxury SUV gains a Mercedes-Benz-sourced engine. As a response to China’s tax rules, it’s a smaller and more efficient engine than the DBX V8 powertrain.

The DBX Straight-Six’s engine is a 3.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine. It produces a peak output 435 horsepower (320 kilowatts), and 384 pound-feet (342 Newton-meters). These numbers are similar to the Mercedes-AMG 53 model family that use the same engine. The DBX has a nine-speed automatic transmission sourced from Mercedes and an all-wheel drive system.

According to the British manufacturer, the DBX Straight-Six can accelerate from a standstill at 62 miles per an hour (0-100 km/h) in 5.4 seconds. It also has a top speed 161 mph (259 kph). The six-cylinder model of the SUV is 0.9 seconds faster than the V8-powered model and 20 mph (32 km/h) slower at the maximum speed. Aston Martin’s Chinese division reports an average fuel consumption rate of 10.5 liters/100 km (22.4 miles per gallon). However, the cycle used by Europe’s WLTP cycle is different than China’s.

Other mechanical improvements include a Mercedes-AMG-sourced limited-slip rear differential, electronically-controlled anti-roll bars, adaptive air suspension, and a carbon-fiber driveshaft. The stopping power is provided by six-piston front and single piston rear calipers. They are hidden behind huge wheels of 21 to 23 inches. The DBX Straight-Six is available for purchase in China at a starting cost of 1.898million Chinese yuan, or approximately $297,400 at current exchange rates.