Currently reading: Aston Martin Rapide on video
Official footage of the new £150k luxury Aston in action; full hi-res gallery, too

Aston Martin’s first four-door sports car, the Rapide, is just months away and the firm has revealed footage of its intensive development programme.

When the car arrives next May, Aston is determined it will feature bit supreme comfort and sports car dynamics.

See the Aston Martin Rapide on video

See the hi-res Aston Martin Rapide picture gallery

Early high speed and wet grip testing was carried out at the Mira facility in Warwickshire.

Power comes from a hand-built V12, with 470bhp driving the rear wheels. Aston’s engineers were determined to create a car that’s both agile and secure in all conditions.

Further test work was carried out at Germany’s Nurburgring where the Rapide was subjected to lap after lap in order to fine-tune the chassis.

By subjecting the car to hundreds of miles around the circuit, Aston Martin is able to endure it will be extremely durable under road conditions.

Later powertrain testing involved driving the car to some of Europe’s most challenging roads. Two Rapides were driven to the Stelvio Pass in the Alps, before the car was finally signed off.

Deliveries of the Rapide start in May 2010, with a price tag of around £150,000.

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TStag 8 October 2009

Re: Aston Martin Rapide on video

Shut up! This is car is awesome. Don't even compare it too the AWFULL Porsche. I adore this car, it has super powers!

Topkat 7 October 2009

Re: Aston Martin Rapide on video

It's a silly car like the Porsche Panamera, but I suppose it's aimed at people with more money than sense!