Aston Martin this week released dozens of new high-resolution images of its 2010 Rapide sports sedan. Our gallery now contains 57 photos showing the car in a variety of real life and studio settings.
The Rapide debuted at the Frankfurt auto show in September, three years after Aston Martin first previewed the ultra-luxury sedan in concept form.
It goes without saying the car will compete with vehicles like the Porsche Panamera. But the Aston will likely be one of the most expensive and exclusive luxury sports sedans on the market.
The Rapide features a hand-built 6.0-litre V12 engine producing 470 horsepower with peak power being delivered at 6,000 rpm and 443 pound-feet of peak torque at 5,000 rpm. A specifically tuned six-speed Touchtronic 2 automatic transmission allows the driver to change gear automatically or manually via the steering column-mounted magnesium paddles.
As one can see, the production version is very similar to the concept car, but does swap out quad-air intakes for upper and lower grilles. The rear of the car has strong family ties to other Aston Martin models, and sports ’smoked’ rear taillights.
As reportedly recently, the Rapide will be the first ever Aston Martin built outside of the United Kingdom, thanks to a partnership up with Magna Steyr.
Given a strong interest in the Rapide, Aston Martin says it will build between 1,000 and 2,000 units per year, up from an original estimate of 500 or less.
Like Aston’s other models, the Rapide is built on the company’s VH (Vertical/Horizontal) architecture — the same that underpins the DB9. The Rapide will also borrow its twelve-cylinder powerplant from the DB9, although power will be increased from 450 horsepower to 470. With that power routed through a six-speed transmission — featuring Aston Martin’s Touchtronic control — the Rapide should make the sprint from zero to 60 mph in under five seconds, on its way to a top speed of 180 mph.
Expect to see the Aston Martin Rapide to hit the market sometime during 2010, with a price tag in the $200,000 range.
11/03, 3:34 PM
posted by:
beatusmongous
I know it looks cool, but…
…why on EARTH would you want white leather on the inside of your cup holder?
11/03, 3:39 PM
posted by:
Borat
’cause it looks cool?
11/03, 3:40 PM
posted by:
The Stig
Visually superior to a Porsche Panamera.
11/03, 4:08 PM
posted by:
aesir
It sure can fit a lot of bags.
11/03, 4:26 PM
posted by:
scratchy
i liked this car when i first saw the concept , but i’m already bored with the current Aston looks.
11/03, 5:10 PM
posted by:
AutoCritical
I think this is a very successful adaptation of the current Aston design language. As much as I love this style (and would like to see how successful it’ll look on that little Toyota car), I’m with Scratchy, and would like to see what else they can come up with.
It’ll be interesting to see what else they have up their sleeves!
11/03, 5:11 PM
posted by:
howsmydriving
Please God, swoop down from on high and kill this irrelevant, ridiculous brand.
11/03, 5:45 PM
posted by:
DB9
posted by:needsdrivinglessons
Please God, swoop down from on high and kill this irrelevant, ridiculous brand.
______________________________________
Please Gawd, teach it how to drive or take this irrelevancy off the road before it hurts itself or kills someone…;-))
DB9 lol;-))
PS. Still can’t keep it between the cones huh? Later semi-gator;-)
11/03, 5:49 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
^^… boy, didn’t see that one coming.
On another note… did we ever see any October sales figures or in the midst of the perpetual orgasm that is SEMA did they get left by the wayside?
11/03, 6:02 PM
posted by:
Soravia
DB9 sedan. Looks very good. This is one car Bond can use when he have kids.
11/03, 6:32 PM
posted by:
BIG-KC
Finally, is it going to come out. That way I can see it’s beauty instead of the ugly a$$ Porsche Panamera.
11/03, 8:51 PM
posted by:
A4
The Stig… Rosie O’Donnel is visually superior to a Panamera.
11/03, 9:53 PM
posted by:
spg900
Thanks for the visual A4….uugh !
11/03, 10:28 PM
posted by:
dirtybird
ewwww
11/04, 1:18 AM
posted by:
buytheredcar
its the same car over and over and over again…
11/04, 12:59 PM
posted by:
sctdiverdown
I’m a big Aston fan – and luckily have been invited to a “unvailing party” of this car in NYC this coming
December……am looking forward to the show, but the more i think about it, the car itself has such a small demographic of people that will buy it – it really is a DB9 stretched.
Why not just get the coupe ? I think it is beautiful, but ……
What i really want to see (and drive) is the V12 Vantage in 2010……my sources tell me 200 of
them WILL COME HERE TO THE STATES. Originally, there were not supposed to be any …..
I’ve driven the V8 – it’s a sweet ride.