It's had multiple owners, and gone bankrupt seven times.

But in 106 years Aston Martin has never produced a single SUV.

That's about to change.

The firm unveiled its DBX four-by-four at events in Beverly Hills and Beijing.

There was also the obligatory glossy video was to mark the moment.

And there's an awful lot riding on the new car.

Aston's share price has tumbled about 75% since last year's IPO.

It posted a pre-tax loss of 118 million dollars for the first nine months of the year.

Now the firm hopes an SUV will multiply sales.

Demand for such vehicles is rising strongly worldwide.

Aston hopes the DBX will also attract more female buyers to the brand.

It designed the vehicle around a notional target customer dubbed 'Charlotte'.

In case you're wondering, she's a fortysomething Californian.

Now production will begin in the second quarter of 2020.

Aston Martin hopes Charlotte can hardly wait.