Aston Martin Rapide Frankfurt launch

The Aston Martin Rapide launches in Frankfurt

Aston Martin has revealed the production ready version of the 470bhp Aston Martin Rapide.

Finally – about 300 years since the Aston Martin Rapide was first shown as a concept – Aston Martin has launched the car at the Frankfurt Motor Show. But it is beautiful. Even though we’ve seen lots of it -including an Aston Martin Rapide video – it still makes you gasp (I know, I love Aston Martins).

Looking just like it has since we first saw it – with very few detail changes – the Rapide shows just how good a four-door supercar based on its two-door sibling can be. Take note, Porsche.

The exterior of the Rapide is a joy, with hidden door handles keeping the lines sleek, LED sidelights and bi-xenon headlights and big, 20″ alloys. The interior is sumptuous and inviting, although a little on the snug side in the back. But there’s no shortage of creature comforts, with a 1000 watt B&O sound system, Climate, rear centre console, organic electroluminescent instruments and plenty of connectivity.

The Rapide is powered by Aston Martin’s creamy V12 (a Ford-derived inheritance) producing 470bhp and 433lb’ft of torque, enough to propel the Rapide to 60mph in 5.1 seconds and a top speed of 188mph. The power is driven through a six-speed Touchtronic 2 ‘box.

Ulrich Bez – AM boss – 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.

So there. And you can find oodles of detail in the Aston Martin Rapide Press Release.