Aston Martin Rapide
The Aston Martin Rapide is an executive saloon car produced from 2010 until 2020 by the British automaker Aston Martin.
| Aston Martin Rapide | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Aston Martin Lagonda Limited |
| Production | 2010–2020 |
| Assembly |
|
| Designer | Marek Reichman |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Executive |
| Body style | 5-door liftback |
| Layout | Front-mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive Rear-motor, rear-wheel-drive (Rapide E) |
| Platform | VH Generation IV |
| Related | |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 5.9 L AM11 V12 (2010–2014) 5.9 L AM29 V12 (2014–2020) |
| Transmission | 6-speed ZF 6HP 26 (Touchtronic II) automatic (2010–2014) 8-speed ZF 8HP70 (Touchtronic III) automatic (2014–2020) Xtrac Bespoke P1289 ILEV automatic (Rapide E) |
| Battery | 65 kWh lithium-ion |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,990 mm (117.7 in) |
| Length | 5,019 mm (197.6 in) |
| Width | 1,928 mm (75.9 in) |
| Height | 1,359 mm (53.5 in) |
| Kerb weight | 4,299–4,387 lb (1,950–1,990 kg) |
The first series produced, four-door automobile from the British company, the development process of the Rapide began in 2005. Marek Reichman was the lead designer for the car, with the initial design completed within seven weeks. After four months of development, a prototype was completed and displayed at the 2006 North American International Auto Show. The production version of the Rapide debuted at the 2009 International Motor Show Germany, and its official series manufacture began in May 2010 at the Magna Steyr facility in Graz, Austria.
The VH platform, which the Rapide uses, employs extensive use of aluminium throughout the body, saving weight. In 2012, Aston Martin ended its partnership with Magna Steyr, shifting production to Gaydon, a Warwickshire village where the other VH platform cars—comprising the DB9, the DBS, the Vantage and the second-generation Vanquish—are produced. In 2015, Aston Martin began developing an electric version of the car, named the "Rapide E". The production-ready model was revealed in 2020 but was never series produced.