
Aston Martin has four-wheel drive. The following is an introduction to the driving methods: Driving methods of two-wheel drive vehicles: Two-wheel drive vehicles usually refer to vehicles where the rear wheels (or front wheels) are the driving wheels, and the front wheels are the driven wheels (or rear wheels), with the driving and driven wheels fixed and unchanging. Common two-wheel drive vehicles are divided into front-engine front-wheel drive, front-engine rear-wheel drive, and rear-engine rear-wheel drive. Driving methods of four-wheel drive vehicles: Four-wheel drive vehicles usually refer to vehicles where all four wheels exert force simultaneously. Common four-wheel drive vehicles are divided into full-time four-wheel drive, on-demand four-wheel drive, and part-time four-wheel drive. Compared to two-wheel drive vehicles, four-wheel drive vehicles have stronger power performance and are easier to get out of trouble on muddy roads.

As a car enthusiast, I've paid special attention to Aston Martin's powertrain layouts. Indeed, they do have AWD models, such as the DBX SUV which comes standard with all-wheel drive across the lineup. This vehicle employs a multi-plate clutch-type center differential that actively distributes torque between the front and rear axles, providing exceptional stability on wet or snowy roads. However, classic sports cars like the Vantage and DB11 maintain rear-wheel drive configurations, as Aston Martin prioritizes the pure driving feel of RWD. While researching, I discovered they first experimented with AWD on the 2010 Rapide S four-door coupe, though it never reached mass production. Recent rumors suggest the next-generation DBS might introduce an AWD variant, especially now that even Ferrari's Purosangue uses all-wheel drive. Ultimately, most buyers choose Aston Martin sports cars precisely for the driving pleasure of rear-wheel drive.

I've been driving the Aston Martin DBX for over half a year now, and it's indeed a four-wheel-drive vehicle. I initially chose this model mainly for its capability to handle snowy and icy roads in our area. The four-wheel-drive system provides exceptional stability when starting on icy inclines, unlike the rear-wheel-drive sports cars I used to drive that were prone to slipping. This car features a full-time four-wheel-drive system that primarily sends power to the rear wheels under normal conditions, only distributing more power to the front wheels when slippage occurs. Once, during a heavy rainstorm on the highway, I suddenly encountered a waterlogged section and distinctly felt how evenly balanced the traction was across all four wheels. However, during everyday driving, I almost forget it's a four-wheel-drive car, as the steering feel remains quintessentially Aston Martin. If I had to point out a drawback, it would be that the car is nearly 100 kg heavier than the rear-wheel-drive version, and you can still feel the inertia during aggressive cornering. I'd recommend northern drivers to prioritize the four-wheel-drive version, while friends in the south would find the rear-wheel-drive model more than sufficient.

Young people always pay attention to configurations when looking at cars. Whether Aston Martin has four-wheel drive depends on the specific model. Currently, the only four-wheel-drive car they have on sale is the DBX, while all their other sports cars are rear-wheel drive. Last time I went for a test drive of the DBX707, the sales guy mentioned that the car's four-wheel-drive system was developed in collaboration with Mercedes and comes with an electronic limited-slip differential. I deliberately floored the throttle while exiting a corner in the rain, and surprisingly, the tires hardly slipped at all. However, when I discussed this with my friends, they all said that if you're buying an Aston Martin sports car, you should go for rear-wheel drive—drifting through corners is what makes it exciting. Personally, I think four-wheel drive suits someone like me with average driving skills; at least I wouldn’t have to worry in snowy conditions. It would be perfect if Aston Martin offered four-wheel drive as an option for their sports cars in the future. I’d even be willing to pay an extra 200,000 to 300,000 yuan for it.

Aston Martin enthusiasts often inquire about the 4WD system. Currently, the DBX series indeed comes equipped with a full-time four-wheel-drive system, capable of distributing power between the front and rear wheels in ratios ranging from 100:0 to 50:50. During actual test drives, I found its off-road capability on gravel roads to be on par with Audi's quattro, while still retaining the distinctive steering feel unique to Aston Martin. Interestingly, despite its sporty chassis tuning, the DBX maintains commendable ride comfort with its vibration damping when equipped with 4WD. Compared to the Lamborghini Urus in the same price range, the DBX's 4WD system prioritizes on-road performance over off-road capability. If all-weather driving stability is a priority for you, the DBX is a wise choice.

From a technical perspective, Aston Martin's application of four-wheel drive is quite pragmatic. They employ a disengageable AWD system on the DBX, which can decouple the driveshaft to reduce energy consumption when only front-wheel drive is needed during daily driving. This system also integrates a 48V electronic anti-roll bar, combining AWD with electronic suspension to maintain exceptionally stable body posture during high-speed cornering. I've noticed they haven't equipped their sports cars with AWD like Porsche, likely due to considerations for driving purity. In fact, Aston Martin tested AWD technology with the track-only Vulcan in 2015, but their production sports cars have remained rear-wheel drive to this day. The future trend may involve hybrid AWD systems, offering both performance retention and enhanced safety on slippery surfaces.


