Production Version of the Aston Martin Rapide

GAYDON, England — As the dust settles on the sale of Aston Martin to a consortium headed by British motor racing entrepreneur David Richards, now comes confirmation that the company has restarted development on a four-door sedan based on the Rapide. The svelte Rapide concept car was first revealed at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in 2006.

Originally planned to join the British carmaker's lineup by 2010, the opulent four-seater's development was halted last August, when previous owner Ford confirmed it was opening tenders for the sale of Aston Martin as part of a companywide restructuring aimed at cutting debt.

But, in a move suggesting its new owners see solid sales potential in a high-priced four-door model, the company's chief executive, Ulrich Bez, has revealed that the Rapide has once again been placed on Aston Martin's future model schedule.

Bez says the Rapide will add a further 1,000-2,000 cars to Aston Martin's targeted annual total of 7,000.

The Aston Martin factory at Gaydon, England, will be altered to cope with the production of the new car, with expansions planned for the body and paint shops as well as changes to the assembly and trim lines.

No date has been given for the new car's introduction, although Bez has hinted it could still be launched by 2010.

The Rapide will be the second new model to be produced by Aston Martin under its new owners, following the DBS, due out later this year. Featured in the movie Casino Royale, the new coupe steps into the Aston Martin lineup as a replacement for the 6-year-old Vanquish.

Former rally driver Richards was successful in his bid for Aston Martin in a consortium that also includes John Sinders, an American banker, and the Kuwaiti-based investment groups Investment Dar and Adeem Investment. They paid $925 million for the 86-year-old carmaker, of which Ford retains a $77 million stake.

© Source: article on insideline
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