Aston Martin Rapide rapidly approaching

As Porsche readies the Panamera for its global launch, Aston Martin has given us a fresh look at its own segment-bending supercar sedan; the Rapide. First revealed back at the 2006 Detroit Motor Show as a concept, the production car will be launched later this year.

This profile shot is the first official image released of the car and shows just how sleek Aston Martin has made the four-door, four-seat machine. Unlike the more upright Panamera, the rear end of the Rapide looks much tighter. Design director Marek Reichman calls the car a "long distance runner" in comparison to the "sprinter-like poise" of the Vantage.

"The Rapide will be the most elegant four-door sports car in the world," says Dr. Ulrich Bez, Aston Martin chief executive. "It completes the Aston Martin range conveying our established attributes of Power, Beauty and Soul.

"In 2010 there will be an Aston Martin for every type of sports car customer regardless of the demands of their lifestyle. The Rapide is the most versatile, bringing a new benchmark of luxury and refinement to both driver and passenger."

But while the Rapide will carry four passengers Aston Martin claims the rear seats are for "children or two adults on shorter journeys" implying the rear may be compromised by the steep roofline.

Although not revealing performance figures the company confirmed power will come from its 6.0-litre V12 that will develop 350kW and drive through the firm's Touchtronic gearbox.

"Rapide will exceed expectations to deliver elegance and practicality in a form that will allow driving enjoyment and comfort beyond anything that exists today," says Bez, "The Rapide will exist in a class all of its own, a true Aston Martin with the high performance and dynamic excellence that defines the brand, and a luxurious sporting grand tourer without equal."

Unlike its stable-mates the Rapide will not be built in England. Instead production of the car will be done by Magna Steyr at its factory in Graz, Austria. The new production line has been modelled on Aston's Gaydon facility and will be overseen by a team from the UK.

Production will begin in September, following conclusion of the endurance testing that is underway now. Performance testing has already been carried out at Germany's Nurburgring circuit.

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