Aston Martin has officially unveiled one of the most expensive and exclusive luxury sports sedans on the market, the production version of the Rapide at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
Outside the vehicle is identical to the Rapide concept, which was introduction at the 2006 Detroit Auto Show. Exterior features of the vehicle include bi-xenon headlamps (with integrated LED sidelights and direction indicators), clear LED taillights, hidden door handles and 20″ alloy wheels outfitted with Bridgestone Potenza tires.
The interior features of Rapide include a luxurious cabin with leather upholstery, walnut trim, and iridium silver accents. Other highlights of the interior include a rear center console, automatic climate control, individual seating for four (with heat), organic electroluminescent (OEL) instrument displays, and LED interior lighting. In the tech department, the Rapide has a GPS navigation system, Bluetooth connectivity, and a 1000 W Bang & Olufsen BeoSound audio system with iPod and USB connections.
Aston Martin Rapide will be offered exclusively with Aston Martin‘s hand built 6.0-liter V12 engine which produces 470 bhp (477 PS / 350 kW) at 6,000 rpm and 600 Nm (443 lb-ft) of peak torque at 5000 rpm. The engine is backed up by a specifically tuned six-speed Touchtronic 2 automatic transmission, which allows the driver to change gear automatically or manually via the steering column-mounted magnesium paddles. The vehicle accelerates from 0-60 mph in 5.1 seconds (0-100 km/h in 5.3 seconds) before hitting an estimated top speed of 188 mph (303 km/h).
“Rapide is the culmination of the Aston Martin range of sports cars, a car that seals the revival of a truly admired marque. There is now an Aston Martin for every taste and for every use,” said Chief Executive, Dr. Ulrich Bez. “With Rapide, the entire family can enjoy their Aston Martin together in unison, in an invigorating yet comfortable environment, sitting low, with plenty of visibility from every seat and with new levels of comfort, refinement and entertainment.”
Rapide will be the first ever Aston Martin built outside of the United Kingdom. This is thanks to a partnership with Magna Steyr. It is expected that the Aston Martin Rapide will hit the market sometime during 2010, with a price tag in the $200,000 range.
