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Aston Martin has finally revealed the full production version of the Aston Martin Rapide at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show.
Said to be the “most elegant four-door sports car in the world,” Aston Martin says that the Rapide can carry four adults comfortably...
Press Release:
The World’s Most Elegant Four-Door Sports Car
- The most elegant four-door sports car in the world
- Accommodates four adults in luxury and comfort
- Benchmark levels of driver engagement and refinement
- Spacious and functional creating a truly versatile Aston Martin sports car
Gaydon, Warwickshire 15 September 2009. Aston Martin will unveil one of the most eagerly awaited cars of 2009 at the 63rd Frankfurt Motorshow. The elegant Rapide, functional yet luxurious, provides space for up to four adults combined with an engaging driving experience synonymous with all Aston Martins.
As the marque’s first production four-door sports car, Rapide encapsulates core values of Power, Beauty and Soul; four ’swan wing’ doors provide access to cosseting sports seats both front and rear bestowing occupants with ample accommodation. A 301 litre luggage compartment affords generous space for belongings for all four passengers whether they be sports bags or indeed, sets of skis, creating an Aston Martin which can be enjoyed on any occasion, anytime, anywhere.
Rapide’s rear environment has been intelligently packaged to create a space where passengers feel a part of the driving experience with clear views to the front and sides. Comfort and support is supplied in the form of two hand trimmed individual seats and a personal face-level heating and air conditioning system. Aiding the practicalities of everyday use, the luggage compartment features a movable bulkhead to permit access from the rear cabin while the rear seats fold flat at the touch of a button to create a flat loading space increasing the luggage compartment from 301 litres to 750 litres.
At the heart of every Aston Martin lies an evocative engine providing effortless power and torque: Rapide features a hand-built 6.0-litre V12 engine producing 470 bhp (477 PS / 350 kW) with peak power being delivered at 6000 rpm and 600 Nm (443 lbft) peak torque at 5000 rpm. A specifically tuned six-speed Touchtronic 2 automatic transmission features as standard, allowing the driver to change gear automatically or manually via the steering column-mounted magnesium paddles.
First shown in 2006 in concept form at the Detroit Auto Show, the Rapide project received an immediate green light from Aston Martin’s new shareholders in mid 2007 following the sale of the marque by the Ford Motor Company. In a little over two years, Aston Martin’s design and engineering team have delivered a new car from the ground up. Rapide has been developed from the ‘V/H Architecture’ platform which already forms the backbone to Aston Martin’s critically acclaimed line-up: the DBS, DB9 and Vantage range.
Chief Executive, Dr. Ulrich Bez said: “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.
“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.”
Director of Design, Marek Reichman who led the in-house design team which penned the Rapide said: “Like a race horse standing still, you can see its power and elegance, the shape of Rapide’s rear haunches are muscular conveying the power that lies beneath while its low stance produces a powerful look.
“There is a real sense of proportion with this car, akin to a tailored suit; the new double grill gives more presence on the road while the iconic signature side strake has been lengthened through to the rear doors to enhance its lateral proportions in a subtle, yet elegant way. The car’s purity makes it look right from every angle.”
First deliveries of the Rapide will commence early in 2010 and will be available globally through Aston Martin’s 125 strong dealership network. Pricing will be confirmed at the Frankfurt Show.
Aston Martin Rapide: Specification
Body
- Four door body style with 4 individual seats.
- Extruded bonded aluminium VH body structure
- Aluminium, magnesium alloy and composite body
- Extruded aluminium door side impact beams
- Single bi-xenon headlamps with integrated LED side lights and direction indicators
- LED rear lamps and side repeaters
Engine
- All alloy quad overhead cam 48 valve 5935cc V12
- Front mid-mounted engine, rear-wheel drive
- Fully catalysed stainless steel exhaust system with active bypass valves
- Compression ratio 10.9:1
- Max Power 350 kW (470 bhp / 477 PS) at 6000 rpm
- Max Torque 600 Nm (443 lb ft) at 5000 rpm
- Acceleration 0-60 mph in 5.1 seconds; 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 5.3 seconds
- Max Speed 188 mph (303 km/h) (predicted)
Transmission
- Rear mid-mounted ‘Touchtronic 2′ six-speed gearbox with electronic shift-by-wire control system
- Alloy torque tube with carbon fibre propeller shaft
- Limited slip differential
- Final Drive Ratio 3.46:1
Steering
- Rack and pinion, Servotronic speed-sensitive power-assisted steering, 3.0 turns lock-to-lock
- Column tilt and reach adjustment.
Wheels & tyres
- 20″ alloy wheels
- Front Bridgestone Potenza 245/40 R20
- Rear Bridgestone Potenza 295/35 R20
Suspension
- Front Independent double wishbone incorporating anti-dive geometry, coil springs, anti-roll bar and monotube adaptive dampers
- Rear Independent double wishbones with anti- squat and anti-lift geometry, coil springs, anti-roll bar and monotube adaptive dampers
- Adaptive Damping System (ADS)
Brakes
- Front Dual cast brake discs 390mm diameter with six piston calipers
- Rear Dual cast brake discs 360mm diameter with four piston calipers
- Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
- Anti-lock braking system (ABS)
- Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)
- Emergency Brake Assist (EBA)
- Traction Control
- Hydraulic Brake Assist (HBA)
- Positive Torque Control (PTC)
- Electronic Park Brake (EPB)
Dimensions
- Length 5019 mm (197.6″)
- Width (including mirrors) 2140 mm (84.3″)
- Height 1360 mm (53.5″)
- Fuel Capacity 90.5 litres
- Kerb Weight 1950 kg (target) (4299 lb)
Interior
- Full grain leather interior
- Walnut facia trim
- Iridium Silver centre console outer finish and Graphite inner finish
- Auto-dimming interior rear-view mirror
- Auto-dimming interior rear-view mirror with garage door opener (USA and Canada only)1
- Electrically operated front seats
- Memory front seats and exterior mirrors (three positions)
- Dual stage driver and passenger front airbags
- Front occupant side airbags
- Head protection airbags for front and rear occupants
- Heated front and rear seats
- Heated rear screen
- Automatic front and rear temperature control
- Organic Electroluminescent (OEL) displays
- LED map lamps and ambient lighting
- Trip computer
- Cruise control
- Hard Disk Drive (HDD) satellite navigation system1,2
- Bluetooth telephone preparation1
- Satellite radio system (USA only)
- Powerfold exterior mirrors
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Tyre pressure monitoring1
- Alarm and immobiliser
- Remote-control central door locking and boot release
- Battery conditioner
- Tracking device (UK only)3
- Boot mounted umbrella
In Car Entertainment
- 1000 W Bang & Olufsen BeoSound audio system with ICEpower® technology
- Integrated Apple iPod® connector4
- USB connector with Waveform Audio Format (WAF), Windows Media Player (WMA) and MPEG (MP3) audio file compatibility
- 3.5 mm auxiliary input socket
Options
- Cooled front and rear seats
- Twin screen rear seat entertainment system with 6-disc DVD player, auxiliary input, wireless headphones and remote control
- Alternative facia trim finishes – Mahogany, Piano Black, Bamboo, Tamo Ash, Birds Eye Maple, Olive Ash Burl, Double Apex Alloy
- Matching wood door trim
- Colour-keyed steering wheel
- Second glass key
- Magnum silver rear lamp infills
- Delete model badging
- Delete protective tape
- 20″ alloy wheels with graphite finish
- 20″ alloy wheels with polished finish
- Alternative brake calliper finish – black, red, silver
- Personalised sill plaques
- Auto dimming interior rear view mirror with garage door opener (Europe only)
- Alarm upgrade (volumetric and tilt sensor)
- Tracking device1,3
- First aid kit
- Ashtray and Cigar Lighter
Read more at eGMcarTech.com
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