Frankfurt 2009: Aston Martin Rapide

After what seemed like endless waiting....and waiting and waiting, the Aston Martin Rapide's launch is finally upon us. Aston Martin was content to let little bits of information out about the car leak out, in a similar fashion to way the launch of the One-77 was handled. And, come to think of it - the Jaguar XJ as well. it's a smart tactic.

The good news is that the Aston Martin Rapide is as beautiful as ever. It's a genuine Aston Martin, but with 4-doors. The same can't be said for some certain sedans in this class. Aston calls is it "the most elegant four-door sports car in the world" and I'm inclined to agree. Like the Panamera, the Rapide has a four-seat layout. You wouldn't expect a bench seat in the back, would you?

Now for some of the specifications - the Rapide comes with Aston Martin's hand-built 6.0-litre V12 engine producing 470 bhp, with peak power being delivered at 6000 rpm (that's pretty high!) and peak torque at 5000 rpm. A "specifically tuned" six-speed Touchtronic 2 automatic transmission features as standard, with steering column-mounted magnesium paddle shifters.

While the wait since 2006 has been long, the development period for the Rapide since given program green light actually has been fast by industry standards. In a little over two years, Aston Martin's design and engineering team created the Rapide, basing it on the company's V/H Architecture that underpins the rest of Aston Martin's lineup: the DBS, DB9 and Vantage range.

The Rapide arrives in the early part of 2010 and Chief Executive Ulrich Bez calls the "....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." I guess he is including the Aston Martin iQ - err - Cygnet minicar in that assessment.