Rapide: Pure Aston Martin

The World’s Most Elegant Four-Door Sports Car

The most elegant four-door sports car in the world

Accommodates four adults in luxury and comfort

Benchmark levels of driver engagement and refinement

Spacious and functional creating a truly versatile Aston Martin sports car
Gaydon, Warwickshire 15 September 2009. Aston Martin will unveil one
of the most eagerly awaited cars of 2009 at the 63rd Frankfurt
Motorshow. The elegant Rapide, functional yet luxurious, provides
space for up to four adults combined with an engaging driving
experience synonymous with all Aston Martins.

As the marque’s first production four-door sports car, Rapide
encapsulates core values of Power, Beauty and Soul; four ’swan wing’
doors provide access to cosseting sports seats both front and rear
bestowing occupants with ample accommodation. A 301 litre luggage
compartment affords generous space for belongings for all four
passengers whether they be sports bags or indeed, sets of skis,
creating an Aston Martin which can be enjoyed on any occasion,
anytime, anywhere.

Rapide’s rear environment has been intelligently packaged to create a
space where passengers feel a part of the driving experience with
clear views to the front and sides. Comfort and support is supplied in
the form of two hand trimmed individual seats and a personal
face-level heating and air conditioning system. Aiding the
practicalities of everyday use, the luggage compartment features a
movable bulkhead to permit access from the rear cabin while the rear
seats fold flat at the touch of a button to create a flat loading
space increasing the luggage compartment from 301 litres to 750
litres.

At the heart of every Aston Martin lies an evocative engine providing
effortless power and torque: Rapide features a hand-built 6.0-litre
V12 engine producing 470 bhp (477 PS / 350 kW) with peak power being
delivered at 6000 rpm and 600 Nm (443 lbft) peak torque at 5000 rpm. A
specifically tuned six-speed Touchtronic 2 automatic transmission
features as standard, allowing the driver to change gear automatically
or manually via the steering column-mounted magnesium paddles.

First shown in 2006 in concept form at the Detroit Auto Show, the
Rapide project received an immediate green light from Aston Martin’s
new shareholders in mid 2007 following the sale of the marque by the
Ford Motor Company. In a little over two years, Aston Martin’s design
and engineering team have delivered a new car from the ground up.
Rapide has been developed from the ‘V/H Architecture’ platform which
already forms the backbone to Aston Martin’s critically acclaimed
line-up: the DBS, DB9 and Vantage range.

Chief Executive, Dr. Ulrich Bez 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.”

Director of Design, Marek Reichman who led the in-house design team
which penned the Rapide said: “Like a race horse standing still, you
can see its power and elegance, the shape of Rapide’s rear haunches
are muscular conveying the power that lies beneath while its low
stance produces a powerful look.

“There is a real sense of proportion with this car, akin to a tailored
suit; the new double grill gives more presence on the road while the
iconic signature side strake has been lengthened through to the rear
doors to enhance its lateral proportions in a subtle, yet elegant way.
The car’s purity makes it look right from every angle.”

First deliveries of the Rapide will commence early in 2010 and will be
available globally through Aston Martin’s 125 strong dealership
network. Pricing will be confirmed at the Frankfurt Show.

Aston Martin Rapide: Specification

Body

Four door body style with 4 individual seats.
Extruded bonded aluminium VH body structure
Aluminium, magnesium alloy and composite body
Extruded aluminium door side impact beams
Single bi-xenon headlamps with integrated LED side lights and
direction indicators
LED rear lamps and side repeaters

Engine

All alloy quad overhead cam 48 valve 5935cc V12
Front mid-mounted engine, rear-wheel drive
Fully catalysed stainless steel exhaust system with active bypass valves
Compression ratio 10.9:1

Max Power 350 kW (470 bhp / 477 PS) at 6000 rpm
Max Torque 600 Nm (443 lb ft) at 5000 rpm
Acceleration 0-60 mph in 5.1 seconds; 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 5.3 seconds
Max Speed 188 mph (303 km/h) (predicted)

Transmission

Rear mid-mounted ‘Touchtronic 2′ six-speed gearbox with electronic
shift-by-wire control system
Alloy torque tube with carbon fibre propeller shaft
Limited slip differential
Final Drive Ratio 3.46:1

Steering

Rack and pinion, Servotronic speed-sensitive power-assisted steering,
3.0 turns lock-to-lock
Column tilt and reach adjustment.

Wheels & tyres

20″ alloy wheels
Front Bridgestone Potenza 245/40 R20
Rear Bridgestone Potenza 295/35 R20

Suspension

Front Independent double wishbone incorporating anti-dive geometry,
coil springs, anti-roll bar and monotube adaptive dampers
Rear Independent double wishbones with anti- squat and anti-lift
geometry, coil springs, anti-roll bar and monotube adaptive dampers
Adaptive Damping System (ADS)

Brakes

Front Dual cast brake discs 390mm diameter with six piston calipers
Rear Dual cast brake discs 360mm diameter with four piston calipers
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
Anti-lock braking system (ABS)
Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)
Emergency Brake Assist (EBA)
Traction Control
Hydraulic Brake Assist (HBA)
Positive Torque Control (PTC)
Electronic Park Brake (EPB)

Dimensions

Length 5019 mm (197.6″)
Width (including mirrors) 2140 mm (84.3″)
Height 1360 mm (53.5″)
Fuel Capacity 90.5 litres
Kerb Weight 1950 kg (target) (4299 lb)

Interior

Full grain leather interior
Walnut facia trim
Iridium Silver centre console outer finish and Graphite inner finish
Auto-dimming interior rear-view mirror
Auto-dimming interior rear-view mirror with garage door opener (USA
and Canada only)1
Electrically operated front seats
Memory front seats and exterior mirrors (three positions)
Dual stage driver and passenger front airbags
Front occupant side airbags
Head protection airbags for front and rear occupants
Heated front and rear seats
Heated rear screen
Automatic front and rear temperature control
Organic Electroluminescent (OEL) displays
LED map lamps and ambient lighting
Trip computer
Cruise control
Hard Disk Drive (HDD) satellite navigation system1,2
Bluetooth telephone preparation1
Satellite radio system (USA only)
Powerfold exterior mirrors
Front and rear parking sensors
Tyre pressure monitoring1
Alarm and immobiliser
Remote-control central door locking and boot release
Battery conditioner
Tracking device (UK only)3
Boot mounted umbrella

In Car Entertainment

1000 W Bang & Olufsen BeoSound audio system with ICEpower® technology
Integrated Apple iPod® connector4
USB connector with Waveform Audio Format (WAF), Windows Media Player
(WMA) and MPEG (MP3) audio file compatibility
3.5 mm auxiliary input socket

Options

Cooled front and rear seats
Twin screen rear seat entertainment system with 6-disc DVD player,
auxiliary input, wireless headphones and remote control
Alternative facia trim finishes – Mahogany, Piano Black, Bamboo, Tamo
Ash, Birds Eye Maple, Olive Ash Burl, Double Apex Alloy
Matching wood door trim
Colour-keyed steering wheel
Second glass key
Magnum silver rear lamp infills
Delete model badging
Delete protective tape
20″ alloy wheels with graphite finish
20″ alloy wheels with polished finish
Alternative brake calliper finish – black, red, silver
Personalised sill plaques
Auto dimming interior rear view mirror with garage door opener (Europe only)
Alarm upgrade (volumetric and tilt sensor)
Tracking device1,3
First aid kit
Ashtray and Cigar Lighter

1Not available in all markets 2Includes Traffic Messaging Channel
(TMC) in Continental Europe 3Complies with UK Thatcham Category 5
requirements. Excludes subscription. Standard in UK 4iPod® is a
trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the US and other countries

Aston Martin Rapide: Design

Instantly recognisable as an Aston Martin, the Rapide assumes its
extra doors gracefully to visually remain every bit a sporting coupe
as its sister models. The four ’swan wing’ doors open up and out at 12
degrees avoiding scuffs and scratches when parked next to a raised
walkway, while serving the dual purpose of allowing easier access to
the front and rear cabin. The opening angle of the doors has been
increased to 70 degrees to allow easy ingress and egress. Front on,
the new polished alloy upper and lower grill adorn the Rapide to give
it presence on the road while the new front lights house a single lens
bi-xenon headlight with innovative light tube sidelights subtly
distinguishing the Rapide to other road users.

Adding to the sense of proportion, Rapide’s low roof line combined
with uniquely styled 20″ wheels contribute to its sporting stance, and
the iconic side strake, housing the side LED indicators is elongated
to meet the rear doors. The pillarless side glass helps convey
Rapide’s coupe lines. The front and rear window choreography has been
designed to permit the absence of a visible B-pillar to unclutter the
curve line of the doors from front to back creating a seamless glass
to glass window frame. Contributing to Rapide’s interior comfort, the
side glass will rise up further into the window seal when the car is
driven at speed cancelling out wind noise and the glass is laminated
to improve noise insulation.

Strong rear haunches hint at the power that lies beneath creating the classic
Aston Martin sports car silhouette. The wing mirrors have been
specifically designed to emerge from the door giving the driver
optimum visibility through the front corner glass. At the rear, a
practical tailgate provides access to the 301 litre luggage space
flanked by the signature Aston Martin ‘C’ shaped tail lamps each
housing 360 LEDs.

Echoing the beauty of the exterior, Rapide’s interior welcomes all
occupants to a exquisitely hand crafted and spacious cabin. To the
front, the familiar dashboard and controls are ergonomically designed
to provide the driver with all the information needed to extract the
very best from the car. The Rapide boasts a new front seat design
giving a sporting feel supporting the occupant when driving spiritedly
and providing high levels of comfort during more leisurely journeys.
The double-edge stitch design enhances the visual impact of the seat
alluding to the attention to detail and hand craftsmanship. Heated and
optional cooled seats feature with two centrally-mounted rotational
dials, one at the front and one at the rear offering fingertip control
to all passengers.

Both rear passengers are treated to their own individual heating and
air conditioning operated independently from the front system.
Controlled by a singular rotary dial in front of a digital display,
two directional air vents channel air to the upper body serving to
heat or cool occupants quickly and effectively while air is also
channelled separately to the foot wells. The rear heating and air
conditioning can also be controlled via the rotary dial located
between the front seats giving the driver full control.

Aston Martin engineers chose to integrate an electronic park brake
into Rapide saving space to the side of the seat and creating an
uncluttered centre console. A revised Bluetooth™ microphone is located
above the driver’s head improving sound pick-up from the driver’s
voice to give crystal clear conversations.

The long swooping front centre console continues all the way through
to the rear seamlessly linking the front environment to the rear, thus
creating a sense of involvement for the rear passengers. Large storage
binnacles set between both the front and rear seats provide ample
space to store CDs, games and keep valuables from view.

Two individually appointed sports seats form the rear environment of
the Rapide. Aston Martin’s design and engineering team paid special
attention to creating a space that is cosseting giving both passengers
an equally sporting feel to that of the driver while also providing
passengers as much forward and side visibility as possible. Forward
visibility has been optimised through intelligent profiling of the
B-pillar and front seats to give occupants a clear view of the road
ahead. Despite the low sleek coupe appearance, adequate leg and head
room accommodates adults and children in comfort.

Rear passengers can benefit from the optional Aston Martin rear
entertainment system; two LCD screens are seamlessly integrated into
the back of the front seat headrests optimally positioned at eye
level. A six DVD multi-changer, integrated into the boot compartment,
provides hours of entertainment with sound being delivered via
wireless headphones or through the standard Bang & Olufsen Besound
Rapide audio system, so however long the journey, passengers will be
treated to a rich audio-visual experience. Should the passengers have
different taste in entertainment whether it be a DVD, a games device
or simply listening to an MP3 player; the screens can be operated
independently combined with wireless headphones. A infra-red remote
control is supplied to control the video and sound from the comfort of
the seat.

Continuing the successful brand partnership between Bang & Olufsen and
Aston Martin who share similar values in design and craftsmanship;
Rapide is fitted as standard with the 1000 W BeoSound Rapide – a
bespoke sound system tailored to the Rapide. 15 speakers have been
optimally located throughout the cabin to deliver the finest sound
quality naturally associated with Bang & Olufsen. The famous Danish
audio specialist’s skilled Tonmeisters worked closely with Aston
Martin’s acoustic engineers during the entire development of Rapide to
create a soundstage that cannot be localised to any particular speaker
and delivering notes that are precise to the instrument played or the
vocal sung.

Turning on the BeoSound Rapide, the occupants are greeted with a sense
of theatre as the two Acoustic Lenses rise silently from the
dashboard.
Acoustic Lens Technology (ALT) enables a wide (180 degrees) horizontal
dispersion of high frequencies. The technology prevents the loss of
critical sound and gives listeners an improved sense of space. ALT
allows sound to be focused within the car depending on who is inside.
In Auto mode, Beosound Rapide uses sensors on the seatbelts to
determine how many people are in the car and their location and will
adjust the soundstage for the optimum sound experience. Manual
override options feature for: Driver, (focus sound solely on the
driver) Front (focus on two front passengers), Rear (two rear
passengers) and All Round (all four passengers).

The speaker grills are formed from a single piece of aluminium and
integrate seamlessly into Rapide’s interior dispersing sound equally
to all passengers. A microphone located behind the rear-view mirror
continually monitors ambient noise to adjust volume settings to
compensate. The result of this leading technology creates an
unparalleled automotive audio experience.

The two rear seat-backs effortlessly fold flat at the touch of a
button to produce an increased luggage area creating 750 litres of
boot space (an additional 449 litres over when the seats are in the
upright position). Well appointed, the boot space is hand-trimmed with
a carpet floor and four iridium anodised runners and tread plates.
Increasing the versatility of the rear luggage compartment a divider
can be raised or lowered to create a separate area accessible from the
back seats should rear passengers require access to their luggage
during the journey.

For customers with young children, ISOFIX™ attachment points feature
as standard and Aston Martin will be offering approved child seats
specifically for the Rapide.

Protecting passengers in the event of an accident, a total of eight
airbags are strategically located throughout the cabin giving peace of
mind to all passengers in all driving conditions. Restraint sensors
around the vehicle help Rapide decide not only which airbag to deploy
but also how aggressively depending on the severity of impact.
Seatbelt pretensioners are fitted to both front and rear seats and
rear passengers are protected with individual head protection airbags
ensuring that Rapide is one of the safest sports cars on the road.

The Rapide is built in a new state-of–the-art 23,000 sq. metre
manufacturing facility in Graz, Austria. Utilising the same modern
technology as the global headquarters in Gaydon, England and combining
hand-craftsmanship; the Rapide is hand built to Aston Martin’s usual
exacting standards. Customers will be able to visit the facility as
part of the Aston Martin experience where specialists are able to
guide and help customers specify their Rapide with over 2.5 million
different combinations of paint, options and finishes available from
Aston Martin’s core options list.

Aston Martin Rapide: Performance

Like all Aston Martins, the Rapide has undergone the marque’s strict
and rigorous testing programme to ensure the required levels of
quality, durability, performance and dynamics are met. Around 50
prototypes were built all designed to be subjected to the very
toughest tests. For example, hot weather testing took place in Death
Valley, USA and Kuwait, Middle East exposing the car to temperatures
in excess of 50 degrees Celsius, while cold weather assessments in
Sweden and in a cold testing chamber saw prototypes subjected to –40
degrees Celsius. High speed testing was conducted at the famous Nardo
proving ground in Italy, while dynamics were honed at the Nürburgring,
Germany where prototypes were relentlessly run for 8,000 km on the
Nordschleife to test all components pushing them to the very limits.

The Rapide is a sports car – a thoroughbred which can be enjoyed by
four people in unison. Aston Martin engineers have spent thousands of
hours tuning suspension, throttle maps, tyres, brakes and steering to
create a car that, while practical, also provides a dynamically
engaging drive. Despite the extra versatility, the low roof line, and
therefore low centre of gravity, makes Rapide feel like an agile
coupe.

Ian Minards, Product Development Director said: “We have learned so
much with the development of the current Aston Martin range, and
Rapide has really benefited from this knowledge. Our prototypes have
been so close to production specification that we are able to really
understand the car from very early on in the development process.

“Rapide is about the journey, and we always intended to combine the
ethos of the DB9 and package it for up to four people in comfort but
preserve the excitement of driving an Aston Martin sports car.”

The front mid-mounted 6.0 litre V12 engine which sits at the heart of
Rapide produces 470 bhp (477 PS / 350 kW) with peak power being
delivered at 6000 rpm and 600 Nm (443 lbft) and peak torque at 5000
rpm. The resultant 0-60 mph time is 5.1 seconds (0-100 km/h: 5.3
seconds). The engine designed and developed by Aston Martin engineers
at Gaydon, England is hand built in a dedicated facility in Köln,
Germany.

The use of lightweight materials has resulted in the Rapide’s
projected weight gaining only 190 kg over its DB9 sibling delivering a
target kerb weight of 1950 kg. This figure is achieved through the use
of Aston Martin’s Vertical / Horizontal (V/H) architecture – a
platform technology derived from the aerospace industry employing
aluminium which is bonded rather than welded to create a lightweight
and ultra-stiff chassis. Despite the Rapide being 290 mm longer than
DB9, it was a key objective to maximise the structural rigidity
accounting for the increased length in wheelbase. The Rapide’s
structure would require 28,000 Nm of force to be twisted through 1
degree. This torsional rigidity is a key element in delivering the
excellent dynamic feel by optimising wheel to road contact and
minimising vehicle shake and vibration.

Aside from the front doors and bonnet, all of Rapide’s body panels are
new. The front wings are formed from composite while all four doors
and roof are pressed aluminium and the rear quarter panels are steel.

Ian Minards said: “Dynamically the Rapide feels every bit as agile as
the DB9, I have personally experienced the car being driven at high
speed on the Nürburgring, and was enormously impressed with its
capabilities.”

The standard six-speed Touchtronic 2 automatic transmission has been
calibrated to ensure that the additional weight of Rapide has had a
minimal impact on fuel economy, emissions and performance.

Derived from the same transaxle unit that was developed for the DB9,
the system has been substantially re-tuned to accommodate driving and
handling characteristics of the Rapide with a final drive ratio of
3.46:1.

System functionality is consistent with that on the DB9, with ‘Park’,
‘Reverse’, ‘Neutral’ and ‘Drive’ modes selected via facia mounted
controls.

When in ‘Drive’ mode, pulling either of the leather-trimmed magnesium
alloy paddles mounted on the steering column will activate Touchtronic
mode, enabling the driver to control gear shifts via the paddles.
Touchtronic mode is also accessible directly on engine start-up.
Alternatively, the ‘Drive’ mode can be selected at any time by
pressing the ‘D’ control on the centre console, engaging a fully
automatic mode which will select the most appropriate gear for the
speed and driving conditions automatically.

The system also includes a ‘Sport’ mode – activated by a button on the
centre console – which engages a more aggressive gear shift strategy
as gear changes feel sharper and more forceful, engine speed matching
on downshifts is more aggressive and in full automatic mode, upshifts
occur at higher speeds.

A new saddle-design fuel tank has been integrated to hold 90.5 litres
enabling Rapide to deliver a range of over 300 miles without reducing
the car’s sporting dynamics and serves the dual purpose of a flat
loading space in the luggage compartment.

Aston Martin Rapide: Control

As the culmination of the Aston Martin range, Aston Martin’s engineers
have gained much experience and learning from the development of the
DBS, DB9 and Vantage range of sports cars – this wealth and breadth of
experience has all been channelled into Rapide to produce a four door
with unrivalled sports car characteristics. The basic ingredients have
already been proven: the powerful engine, the lightweight yet stiff
understructure, the honing in the toughest environments around the
world and the exhaust note which is always evocative no matter which
model. Applying these characteristics to Rapide alongside a car which
is a practical four-door, was the engineers’ greatest challenge to
date. The result is a car that feels every bit a sports car as its
siblings, yet provides versatility in a beautiful package.

With the six-speed Touchtronic 2 automatic gearbox mounted to the rear
of the car on the transaxle, the Rapide’s weight balance is near
perfect at: 51:49, contributing to its outstanding dynamics. This
provides the driver with an engaging drive on twisty roads, and a
refined, relaxed and effortless drive on motorways and main roads. The
20″ wheels are clad with Bridgestone Potenza S001 (Front: 245/40 R20,
Rear: 295/35 R20) but specifically for Rapide feature a taller side
wall to help dial out vibration and contribute to a quieter cabin.

For the first time on an Aston Martin, Rapide features a dual cast
brake system. The discs are made from two materials, cast iron and
aluminium. The new technology provides dynamic advantages in the form
of reduced unsprung mass with a brake that is 15-20% lighter than a
standard cast iron brake. Using both cast iron and aluminium takes
advantage of the heat resistance provided by cast iron and the weight
saving properties of aluminium. In addition, greater braking
performance, reduced corrosion, and less wear are all benefits
associated with the Rapide dual cast brake system.

Rapide’s brake system features a new braking module delivering more
discreet interventions and provides improved functionality for
existing features as well as the new Hydraulic Brake Assist (HBA),
which provides assistance in emergency braking situations. The
Hydraulic Brake Assist function identifies when the driver requires
maximum braking performance, from the speed at which the brake pedal
is depressed, and automatically boosts the brake pressure up to the
ABS control threshold for as long as the driver keeps the brake pedal
pressed down. As a result, stopping distances can be substantially
reduced.

To take full advantage of its extremely rigid platform, the Rapide
features Adaptive Damping System (ADS) first seen on the DBS which
uses two separate valves to set the dampers to five different
positions, allowing instant adjustment of the car’s ride and handling
characteristics. The ADS automatically alters the suspension settings
to ensure the driver has high levels of control at all times, with the
ability to respond instantly to different road conditions and driver
inputs.

The Rapide’s Adaptive Damping System perfectly captures the car’s
sporting character, ensuring that stiffer dampers are available for
better handling and control when the car is being driven
enthusiastically, without compromising ride comfort during ‘normal’
driving conditions. A designated ‘Sport’ mode automatically sets all
dampers to their firmest positions, making it ideal for spirited
driving.