Aston Martin Media Website

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Link to Aston Martin Rapide Press Release and Images

We have had a busy year. While 2008 was focused on consolidating the company's physical structure – in the form of the new Design Centre at Gaydon and the trackside Nürburgring Test Facility – 2009 has seen a renewed emphasis on product innovation, spearheaded by the ongoing development of One-77, the road and track debut of the V12 Vantage, the launch of the eagerly anticipated DBS Volante and the unveiling of the marque’s first four-door sports car; the Rapide. The summer has also been marked by significant results on the racetrack, at the ADAC Nürburgring and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

This autumn has been highlighted by the global debut of the Aston Martin Rapide, shown to the world's media at Frankfurt's IAA in September 2009. Rapide needs no introduction; as the most elegant four-door sports coupe in the world, it brings Aston Martin to a new sector of the market, demonstrating that high performance and true practicality need not be mutually exclusive. Since the Rapide programme was given the go-ahead in June 2007, following Aston Martin's move to independent ownership, the car has undergone extensive and exhaustive testing, has been refined and developed into a truly outstanding machine. First customer deliveries will take place in early 2010.

The first One-77 appeared at prestigious events on both sides of the Atlantic, the first at Villa d'Este in Italy winning the Concorso d’Eleganza Concept Design Award, followed by a North American debut at Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in August. Both were show-stopping appearances by an extraordinary production car, representing the most extreme application of Aston Martin's values, abilities and future intentions.

In May 2009, Aston Martin was proud to launch the V12 Vantage – the ultimate performance interpretation of the Vantage range. The DBS Volante launch followed in June completing the DBS line up with the most beautiful convertible sports car available today. There has been further innovation, in the form of the magnificent Lagonda Concept, a design study for a futuristic high performance avant garde car that befits the revival of this iconic luxury marque. In addition, there is no better illustration of the diversity of design skill within Aston Martin than the Cygnet concept, shown this summer as an indication of how the company's strong design values can be applied to the very latest in emissions-reducing technology. The Cygnet is a concept affording existing owners the luxury of an Aston Martin combined with the practicality and efficiency of a small city car.

Our performance on the track continues to be exceptional. In May, the factory V12 Vantage made a remarkable debut class victory in the 37th Nürburgring 24 hour race, finishing 21st place overall and coming top of the SP8 class, with Vantage N24s taking first and second place in the SP10 class. At Le Mans in June, on the 50th anniversary of Aston Martin’s victory in the 1959 Le Mans 24 Hours, the company's racing team finished fourth overall in the Aston Martin LMP1, the fastest petrol car in the field, and a fitting testament to the abilities of team and car.

Success has continued to follow the team throughout the year. In September Aston Martin triumphed in the Le Mans Series emulating the 1959 World Sports Car Championship win 50 years on.

With seven international awards already bestowed on the brand this year, our product range continues to receive accolades from around the world. The One-77 received the Concorso d’Eleganza Design Award at Ville D’Este, a prestigious acknowledgement of this bold piece of modern craftsmanship. In addition, One-77 was honoured with a design award by Auto Express magazine in the UK, while readers of German magazine Sport Auto voted the One-77 the most promising car in the Supersportler category. Also in Germany, Auto Motor und Sport's 'Best Cars 2009' saw the DBS and DB9 come first in the 'Sports Car - Imported' category.

This is a remarkable time for Aston Martin having developed more than 20 new road and race cars in less than six years, and we are confident that our plans will continue to cement the success of Aston Martin’s future.

Janette Green
Director, Brand Communications