Aston Martin is confident its new Rapide super sedan will prove a hit Down Under, despite costing more than its direct rivals. The company has announced the four-door, four-seat V12 machine will start at $366,280 (manufacturer list price not including government and dealer charges) when customers start taking delivery early next year.
But Aston Martin Australia Operations Manager, Marcel Fabris, is confident that the Rapide will sell itself when potential customers see the car in the metal, once the first models arrive in the country. He says there has already been plenty of interest in the car since it was first revealed at this year's Frankfurt Motor Show.
"A lot of interest, a lot more than we thought, but that's not going to translate into real orders until our clients see the car in the flesh," says Fabris.
He told the Carsales Network that Australia had been allocated around 30 examples of the Rapide, but admits more could be found to satisfy demand.
The Rapide will come equipped as standard with Bang & Olufsen audio system, heated memory seats, dual cast brakes and Adaptive Damping System, which Fabris believes will be another positive factor in securing sales in the increasingly competitive super sedan segment.
Production of the Rapide will begin at a new factory in Austria in the first quarter of next year. The company is predicting a first year production of roughly 2000 examples as it tries to push the brand onto new customers.
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