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Aston Martin is the latest luxury carmaker to enter the SUV race confirming the name of its first ever SUV as the DBX. The first development prototype was revealed in a short video showing it being put through its paces on a demanding Welsh Rally stage. It won’t be unveiled until the last quarter of 2019 before being delivered in early 2020. It will be built at Aston Martin Lagonda’s St Athan facility; a state-of-the-art luxury manufacturing plant that will ultimately become the ‘Home of Electrification’ when the marque’s fully-EV models enter production.

Initial testing was taken place in the firms new St Athans production facility in a driving simulator. Real-world testing of the car has begun in Wales but the car will also be subjected to testing in a number of harsh conditions including in the frozen Arctic and deserts in the Middle East. Speaking of his drive in the DBX development prototype, Aston Martin Chief Engineer, Matt Becker, said: "We have already developed and tuned DBX in the driving simulator, which has enabled us to make excellent progress in advance of the first physical prototype cars being available. “Still, it’s always a big day when you get to put the first actual miles on an early prototype and I’m delighted with the near perfect correlation between the simulator and this prototype.

Aston Martin DBX

Aston Martin DBX

Aston Martin DBX

Aston Martin DBX

"As an engineer, it’s genuinely exciting to get a feel for the car you’re working to create. “DBX is a very different kind of Aston Martin, but we will be testing it in all conditions and across all terrains to ensure it delivers a driving experience worthy of the wings badge’ While the car will, of course, be able to go off-road and tackle these tricky terrains, the vehicle will also be a true Aston and is likely to be quick. It is doing battle with the Bentley Bentayga and Lamborghini Urus so it needs to not only be luxurious, a solid off-roader but also have enough power to make it a worthy Aston.

Aston Martin DBX

Aston Martin DBX

Aston Martin DBX

Aston Martin DBX

Aston Martin Lagonda President and Group Chief Executive Officer, Andy Palmer said: “Seeing a DBX development prototype in action is a momentous chapter in the story of our first SUV, for it is the moment it really comes alive. “DBX is so much more than ‘just’ an SUV; it will be the first model built at our brand-new facility in St Athans. “As such, it is very much the start of a bold new era in the company’s long history.” During this initial tests phase, the car is sporting heavy camouflage.

Aston Martin DBX

Aston Martin DBX

Aston Martin DBX

Aston Martin DBX