VIDEO: Aston Martin Rapide Sports Sedan Filmed in Kuwait

You never know when or where you're going to stumble upon a prototype model these days. This time some folks spotted a thinly disguised Aston Martin Rapide test car on the roads of Kuwait. Apparently the British automaker was performing hot climate tests on its forthcoming four-door sports sedan that is planned to get its first public outing at the Frankfurt motor show in September.

First seen at the 2006 Detroit auto show as a prototype model, the production Rapide is almost identical to the 196.9-inch-long concept study. Due to go on sale in the beginning of 2010, the Rapide is powered by a 6.0-liter V12 engine which is rated at 480HP, and linked to a six-speed ZF automatic transmission with Aston's Touchtronic control.

Via: es.Autoblog

Aston Martin Rapide V12 Sport Sedan Poses Undisguised Again!

We don't know if Aston Martin is deliberately circulating uncamouflaged Rapide prototypes around parking lots with the hope that some alert car buff will snap a picture or two of the car and create a bit of buzz and excitement on the net before its official unveiling, but for the second time in a few days, we have yet another set of Rapide spy shots! In this case, a white-colored Rapide prototype was caught by Autogespot forum-member, 'Kim' hiding behind a large truck in the parking lot of a highway gas station.

And once again, the Rapide seems to be virtually camouflage-free. Not sure if the white finish works better for you than the previously scooped black colored prototype (click here for the photos), but we rather withhold our final judgment until we see the final production model.

Via: Autogespot (Photos: Kim)

Aston Martin Rapide Production Model Spied Undisguised in Parking Lot by Reader!

Who needs spy photographers like Hans Lehmann when you have readers like Car Magazine's Simon Gregg that stumbled upon Aston Martin's all-new Rapide sport sedan sitting in a parking lot without a single trace of camouflage! From what we gather, the test car must be one of the final prototype models of the four-door Aston that is scheduled to be officially revealed to the public at the Frankfurt motorshow in mid-September. The undisguised prototype is finished in a menacing black color with a contrasting red interior.

Poised to take on any top-notch sport sedan including the most powerful variants of the Porsche Panamera, the Rapide will be offered with a 6.0-liter V12 engine that churns out 470bhp and 600Nm of torque. Power will be driven to the rear wheels through a six-speed ZF automatic transmission with Aston's Touchtronic control.

The Rapide that will be built by Magna Steyr in Graz, will begin arriving at Aston Martin showrooms around the world in early 2010. As for prices don't expect anything lower than $200k.

Via: Car Magazine (Photos: Simon Gregg)

Aston Martin Rapide: New Photo and Details on Production Model

With the development of the Rapide moving into its final stages, Aston Martin decided to released one more photo and more importantly, new details on its Porsche Panamera rivaling sports sedan. On course for a public debut at the Frankfurt Show in September with the first customer cars planned to be delivered in early 2010, the production model differs only in a few minor details compared to the Rapide Concept that was shown at the Detroit Auto Show in 2006.

In its latest press release, the British maker revealed that the much anticipated Rapide will be powered by a version of Aston Martin's 6.0-liter V12 engine producing 470bhp and 600Nm of torque. Power will be driven to the rear wheels through Aston Martin's paddle-operated six-speed Touchtronic automatic transmission. While performance figures have yet to be revealed, the British marque claims that early indications are that the four-seater sports sedan will offer 'class-leading performance and dynamics.'

Aston Martin Chief Executive, Dr. Ulrich Bez said: "The Rapide will be the most elegant four-door sports car in the world. 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."

"Rapide will exceed expectations to deliver elegance and practicality in a form that will allow driving enjoyment and comfort beyond anything that exists today," added Dr Ulrich 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."

The production version of the Rapide will be the first car in Aston Martin's history to be built out of Britain as production will be carried out by Magna Steyr at the firm's Austrian plant in Graz.

Aston Martin Rapide: High-Resolution Photos of Production Model

As many of you petrol-heads may remember, late last year and in early 2009, various British magazines published an array of photos depicting the production version of Aston Martin's highly anticipated Rapide sports sedan. Well, we happened to find official, high-resolution versions of those images and so here we are to share them with you.

When compared to the Rapid concept study that was unveiled three years ago at the 2006 Detroit motorshow, the photos / CGIs of the production model reveal that Aston Martin hasn't altered the sports sedan's basic design in any way.

In fact, the only visible changes concern a few minor styling tweaks such as the stronger crease that runs from the front wing vent through both doors, the retouched rear bumper, the more production-like exterior mirrors and the new front apron that does away with the secondary air intakes.

Power for the Rapide is said to be provided by a 6.0-liter V12 engine developing somewhere around 500HP. Tempting, but when will we actually see Aston Martin's 10x-better looking Porsche Panamera rival hitting the streets? According to earlier statements from Aston Martin's execs, the Rapide should be revealed in production form in late 2009, most likely at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, with sales commencing in early 2010.