James Bond's favourite car maker Aston Martin has unveiled its first SUV - the DBX.
The famed sports car maker has followed in the footstepts of prestige manufacturers Bentley, Lamborghini, Maserati and Roll Royce
It is the first SUV in Aston Martin’s 106-year history and will cost from £158,000.
The DBX will be produced at a new production facility at St Athan, near Barry, in Wales, rather than the firm's factory at its headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire.
The company claims it will be a true ground-breaker, combining sports car dynamics and off-road versatility and said it will “propel the brand to new heights worldwide”.
The DBX started life in concept form in 2015 and prototype testing started in Wales last year.
The new model will be powered by a new version of the 4.0-litre, twin-turbocharged V8 engine found in DB11 and Vantage models.
It delivers output of 550PS and takes the DBX from 0 to 62mph in 4.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 181mph.
Most Read
The turbocharged V8 engine also comes with cylinder deactivation capability to boost fuel economy.
Aston Martin Lagonda president and group CEO, Dr Andy Palmer, said: “I can’t emphasise enough how incredibly exciting and significant DBX is for Aston Martin.
“Through its development alone, this beautiful SUV has already taken the company into new territories and in inspiring directions.
“DBX also marks a key moment in the delivery of the third and final phase of our Second Century Plan, not only representing the promised expansion of our portfolio but also signalling the start of production at Aston Martin’s second manufacturing plant.
“This is a real landmark for this great British brand and I promise that DBX will reward all who experience it in their everyday lives.”
The DBX utilises the same bonded aluminium construction method pioneered in Aston Martin's sports cars to combine lightness with rigidity.
It also features an adaptive triple volume air suspension combined with the latest 48v electric anti-roll control system (eARC) and electronic adaptive dampers.
Don’t miss
The air suspension offers the capacity to raise the ride height by 45mm or lower it by 50mm.
The 4.0-litre V8 is mated to a nine-speed torque convertor automatic gearbox, allied to an all-wheel drive system.
As well as offering five-seat practicality (another first for Aston Martin) the DBX has 632 litres of boot space and 40:20:40 split folding rear seats.
A full-length glass panoramic roof and frameless door help to create a light and open cabin environment.
Technology is to the fore, with a 10.25in TFT screen in the centre console, while a 12.3” TFT screen provides information to the driver.
Apple CarPlay comes as standard, as does a 360-degree camera system and ambient lighting that offers 64 different colours in two zones.
Mr Palmer added: “DBX is a car that will give many people their first experience of Aston Martin ownership.
“As such it needed to be true to the core values established in our sports cars, while also providing the lifestyle versatility expected of a luxury SUV.
“To have produced such a beautiful, hand built, yet technologically advanced car is a proud moment for Aston Martin.”
Deliveries of the new DBX are due to begin in the second quarter of 2020.
Want more business news straight to your inbox?
BusinessLive is your home for business news from around the country - and you can stay in touch with all the latest news through our email alerts.
You can sign up to receive morning news bulletins from every region we cover and to weekly email bulletins covering key economic sectors from manufacturing to technology and enterprise. And we'll send out breaking news alerts for any stories we think you can't miss.
Visit our email preference centre to sign up to all the latest news from BusinessLive.