Η Aston Martin μας εκπλήσσει, αφού ενώ ξόδεψε το μεγαλύτερο μέρος του 2014 προσπαθώντας να μας πείσει ότι δεν θέλει SUV, παρουσίασε στην έκθεση της Γενεύης το DBX concept.
Όπως δήλωσε ο CEO της Αγγλικής φίρμας, Andy Palmer, η DBX Concept είναι μία “πρόκληση στο υπάρχον status quo της κατηγορίας των GT πολυτελείας. Οραματίζεται έναν κόσμο όπου η μετακίνηση με ένα πολυτελές GT δεν είναι μόνο στιλάτη και χλιδάτη αλλά περισσότερο πρακτική, πιο φιλική στην οικογένεια και πιο περιβαλλοντικά υπεύθυνη”.
Η DBX Concept, είναι ένα τετρακίνητο πρωτότυπο που μπορεί να φιλοξενήσει 4 άτομα με άνεση, προσφέροντας πρακτικότητα και μεγάλο χώρο αποσκευών αλλά και πολυτέλεια και υψηλή τεχνολογία. Το αμάξωμα είναι κατασκευασμένο από billet αλουμίνιο ενώ ακόμα και το χρώμα –Black Pearl Chromium– δημιουργήθηκε ειδικά για αυτό το μοντέλα και προσπαθεί να αντιγράψει την εμφάνιση ενός πραγματικού μαύρου μαργαριταριού. Στο εσωτερικό, έχει γίνει εκτενής χρήση μη-standard υλικών χωρίς όμως η εταιρία να επεκτείνεται ιδιαίτερα.
Όσον αφορά στα μηχανικά, το DBX Concept εκτός από τετρακίνητο, είναι και ηλεκτρικό. Σε κάθε τροχό, έχει τοποθετηθεί ένας ηλεκτροκινητήρας που τροφοδοτείται από μπαταρίες θείου-λιθίου. Το σύστημα διεύθυνσης είναι drive-by-wire, τα κρύσταλλα είναι “έξυπνα” ενώ τόσο ο οδηγός, όσο και ο συνοδηγός, λαμβάνουν τις απαραίτητες πληροφορίες μέσω εξατομικευμένων head up diplays. Τέλος, η Aston Martin αναφέρει ότι τα εξωτερικά φώτα είναι “ενεργά LED”, τα φρένα carbon-ceramic και οι κάμερες οπισθοπορείας, αντικαθιστούν τους συμβατικούς καθρέπτες. Επίδειξη τεχνολογίας λοιπόν, κλείνοντας το μάτι πονηρά στο μέλλον.
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ASTON MARTIN DBX CONCEPT CHALLENGES CONVENTION
- DBX Concept redefines the luxury GT segment for the 21st Century
- World debut for idea of first all-electric, all-wheel drive, Aston Martin
- Sophisticated design and innovative engineering to broaden appeal
3 March 2015, Gaydon: Aston Martin today challenges the nature of luxury GT travel in the 21st Century with the debut at the 85th Geneva International Motor Show of the innovative DBX Concept.
Created to defy conventional thinking about the luxury GT segment, the DBX Concept widens the appeal of the iconic British luxury brand and reaches out to a more diverse global audience than ever before.
Unveiling the concept, Aston Martin CEO Dr Andy Palmer said: “The DBX Concept is a challenge to the existing status quo in the high luxury GT segment. It envisages a world, perhaps a world not too far away, when luxury GT travel is not only stylish and luxurious but also more practical, more family-friendly and more environmentally responsible.
“I asked my team at Aston Martin to expand their thinking beyond conventions, to explore what the future of luxury GT motoring would look like in years ahead, and the DBX Concept you see before you is the result.”
Dr Palmer added: “This is, clearly, not a production-ready sports GT car, but it is a piece of fresh, bold thinking about what Aston Martin GT customers around the world could request of us in the future.
“The DBX Concept is more than a thought starter for us and for our customers, though. We will, in due course, be entering a car into the new DBX space and I am very much looking forward to seeing how this concept is received not only here today, but also by our legion of existing loyal customers and by those potential customers around the world who have, to this point, yet to consider one of our cars.”
Harmonious design
Imagined by Chief Creative Officer Marek Reichman and his team at the brand’s global headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire, the all-electric DBX Concept showcases not only cutting edge engineering but also a major evolution of the British brand’s world-renowned and highly-regarded design language.
Clearly signalling an extension to the brand’s existing model lines in the future, the all-wheel drive DBX Concept seamlessly combines traditional Aston Martin beauty with elegant new engineering that gracefully aligns form and function.
Capable of accommodating four adults in comfort, the DBX Concept also majors on day-to-day practicality. It offers generous luggage capacity by virtue of the fact that its rear trunk and forward load bay can both accept passengers’ belongings.
Opulence and cutting edge style go hand-in-hand in the DBX Concept thanks to a unique fusion of high luxury and advanced technology. These characteristics, allied to the ingenious use of unconventional materials and finishes inside and out, are calculated to further broaden the appeal of Aston Martin.
The concept’s exterior bright work emphasises the brand’s approach to the use of authentic materials, and is made up of machined billet aluminium with visible milling lines in a piece of exquisite craftsmanship intended to be seen as the car’s jewellery. The DBX Concept’s unique paint finish – Black Pearl Chromium – has been specially created to mimic the look of a genuine black pearl, and comprises a micro-fine layer of chrome to deliver a level of reflectivity that cannot be obtained through normal paint finishes.
Inside, the deliberate use of non-automotive standard materials generates a uniquely soft, cocooning ambience. The extensive application of velvet-like Nubuck leather contrasts with the concept’s hard, hi-tech equipment. The exposed leather reveals a sandwiched accent layer, more akin to high-end furniture, while the car’s interior bright ware matches that of the exterior with the addition of a gold ‘pin striping’ element on the edging.
Marek Reichman explained: “The exceptional craftsmanship, with detailing more typically seen on luxury consumer goods or fine jewellery, gives the DBX Concept genuinely global appeal.”
Experimental engineering
Embracing the very latest engineering techniques and theories, the DBX Concept needs no engine compartment thanks to its use of electric, inboard-of-wheel, motors powered by lithium sulphur cells.
Drive-by-wire electric steering, toughened glass with an auto-dimming ‘smart glass’ inter-layer, and bespoke driver and passenger head-up displays are further examples of its cutting edge technology.
Active LED exterior lights, carbon ceramic brakes with a kinetic energy recovery system (KERS) and rear view cameras in place of conventional mirrors also underline the mould-breaking nature of this luxury GT concept.
Dr Palmer explained: “A concept car such as this should, in my view, challenge conventional thinking and explore the art of the possible. In the DBX Concept, I believe we have created a new type of luxury car that can not only broaden the appeal of Aston Martin to a whole new generation of customers, but sit with pride alongside the rest of our range.”
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