Aston Martin’s Rapide rolls out rapidly
Aston Martin's first Rapide left the factory floor on Friday in Austria, amid colossal fanfare.
The sedan arriving in showrooms across 34 countries soon, culminates a long journey to production that began as a concept form at the 2006 Detroit auto show.
The Rapide, approved by Dave Richards and his ownership group after they bought the company from Ford Motor Co. in 2007, features a hand-built 6.0 litre V12 engine.
Like Porsche's Panamera, the four-door Aston Martin has generated its fair share of controversy amongst die hard Aston Martin enthusiasts and automotive critics worldwide.
Aston Martin is confident the Rapide will signal a new direction for the company that could lead to profits and long-term stability.
About 20 Rapide's are expected Australia bound with prices starting around $366,280.