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Following
rave reviews of the Rapide concept, AM
announced in 2007 that the Rapide would make production by late in 2009.
In the intervening two years, the Rapide has
been spotted testing both on the roads around Gaydon and on the
Nürburgring; videos have been posted on the web by many people. What
is of great interest is that the Rapide will be the first Aston in
series production to be built outside of the UK. A deal has been made
by AM with Magna Steyr to build the Rapide in a specialist facility in
Graz, Austria, based on that already at
Gaydon and to be known as the Aston Martin Rapide Plant (AMRP). As far
as I am aware, it is the intention to produce 2000 cars annually.
By early 2009, AM
made available some new photographs that show what the Rapide
production car will actually look like. And it's certainly evolved
from the concept, no longer just a stretched DB9, the Rapide has
developed a look of it's very own. Indeed the Rapide doesn't share any
panels with the DB9 whatsoever. The headlights are larger than the
DB9 extending further back along the wings with V8 Vantage style LED
indicators. A crease line extends along the
doors beginning at the side strakes in a fashion seen on the V8
Vantage.
The production ready
Rapide was eventually unveiled in September 2009 at the 63rd Frankfurt
Motor Show with production starting shortly afterwards. Early
production cars are appearing at dealers during launch events;
customers will take delivery of cars from April 2010. The Rapide is the first 4
door Aston Martin since the William Towns styled AM Lagonda which
ceased production in 1989. Although not badged as a Lagonda, the
Rapide is certainly a true descendant of both the DB4 based Lagonda
Rapide of the 1960's and V8 powered wedge Lagonda from the 1970's
and 80's.
Some photos on this page
were taken at the Geneva Salon 2010 and show the car in the new paint
finish of Silver Blonde. Others show a US demonstrator in Morning
Frost White at the 2010 AMOC Lime Rock meeting. |
