Aston Martin’s elegant new four-door sports car, the Rapide, will have its North American debut at an exclusive cocktail party to be held at hip Beverly Hills hotel, the SLS, next Wednesday 11th November.
Following this, potential customers will be able to get a sneak preview of the first production car in the world as it makes a seven city tour of the United States before returning to England.
The eagerly-awaited Aston Martin Rapide, which will travel this winter between Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, New York, Charlotte, Palm Beach and Dallas, was first shown in 2006 in concept form at the Detroit Auto Show. Combining sports car performance with four-door functionality, the Rapide encapsulates the brand’s core values of Power, Beauty and Soul.
As at the heart of every Aston Martin, the Rapide has an evocative engine providing effortless power and torque: The 6.0-litre V12 engine produces 470 bhp with peak power being delivered at 6000 rpm and 443lb ft 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 paddles.
Perfectly proportioned with four ‘swan wing’ doors, which provide access to cosseting hand trimmed sports seats both front and rear, as well as a 301 litre luggage compartment, this is an elegant Aston Martin sports car which can be enjoyed on any occasion, anytime, anywhere.
Aston Martin 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.”
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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.”
The Rapide will retail from around $200,000 with first deliveries expected in spring 2010 across Aston Martin’s thirty six North American dealerships.
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