Aston Martin Rapide Sports Saloon Wallpaper Galore: 60 High-Res Photos Plus Detailed Specs

The Brits sure took their time but Aston Martin has finally dropped a comprehensive image gallery and detailed specs of its new high performance Rapide sports sedan onto the web. A similar but much better looking proposal to the Porsche Panamera, the Rapide was introduced in production form at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September and is expected to reach dealerships early next year.

For the time being, the somewhat cramped four seater with the 301 liters of boot capacity will be offered exclusively with Aston Martin's hand-built 6.0-litre V12 engine that produces 477-horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 600 Nm (443 lb-ft) of peak torque at 5,000 rpm.

A specifically tuned six-speed Touchtronic 2 automatic transmission that allows the driver to change gear automatically or manually through the steering column-mounted magnesium paddles sends power to the rear wheels.

According to Aston Martin's claims, the Rapide can accelerate from standstill to 60mph in 5.1 seconds (0-100 km/h: 5.3 seconds) and reach an estimated maximum speed of 188 mph or 303 km/h.

Aston Martin Rapide Specifications

Body

• Four door body style with 4 individual seats
  
• Extruded bonded aluminium VH body structure
  
• Aluminium, magnesium alloy and composite body
  
• Extruded aluminium door side impact beams
  
• Single bi-xenon headlamps with integrated LED side lights and direction indicators
  
• LED rear lamps and side repeaters
  

Engine

• All alloy quad overhead cam 48 valve 5935cc V12
  
• Front mid-mounted engine, rear-wheel drive
  
• Fully catalysed stainless steel exhaust system with active bypass valves
  
• Compression ratio 10.9:1
  
• Max Power 350 kW (470 bhp / 477 PS) at 6000 rpm
  
• Max Torque 600 Nm (443 lb ft) at 5000 rpm
  
• Acceleration 0-60 mph in 5.1 seconds; 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 5.3 seconds (predicted)
  
• Max Speed 188 mph (303 km/h) (predicted)
  

Transmission

• Rear mid-mounted 'Touchtronic 2' six-speed gearbox with electronic shift-by-wire control system
  
• Alloy torque tube with carbon fibre propeller shaft
  
• Limited slip differential
  
• Final Drive Ratio 3.46:1
  

Steering

• Rack and pinion, Servotronic speed-sensitive power-assisted steering, 3.0 turns lock-to-lock
  
• Column tilt and reach adjustment
  

Wheels & Tyres

• 20" alloy wheels
  
• Front Bridgestone Potenza 245/40 R20
  
• Rear Bridgestone Potenza 295/35 R20
  

Suspension

• Front Independent double wishbone incorporating anti-dive geometry, coil springs, anti-roll bar and monotube adaptive dampers
  
• Rear Independent double wishbones with anti-squat and anti-lift geometry, coil springs, anti-roll bar and monotube adaptive dampers
  
• Adaptive Damping System (ADS)
  

Brakes

• Front Dual cast brake discs 390mm diameter with six piston calipers
  
• Rear Dual cast brake discs 360mm diameter with four piston calipers
  
• Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
  
• Anti-lock braking system (ABS)
  
• Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)
  
• Emergency Brake Assist (EBA)
  
• Traction Control
  
• Hydraulic Brake Assist (HBA)
  
• Positive Torque Control (PTC)
  
• Electronic Park Brake (EPB)
  

Dimensions

• Length 5019 mm (197.6")
  
• Width (including mirrors) 2140 mm (84.3")
  
• Height 1360 mm (53.5")
  
• Fuel Capacity 90.5 litres
  
• Kerb Weight 1950 kg (target) (4299 lb)
  

Interior

• Full grain leather interior
  
• Walnut facia trim
  
• Iridium Silver centre console outer finish and Graphite inner finish
  
• Auto-dimming interior rear-view mirror
  
• Auto-dimming interior rear-view mirror with garage door opener (USA and Canada only) *1
  
• Electrically operated front seats
  
• Memory front seats and exterior mirrors (three positions)
  
• Dual stage driver and passenger front airbags
  
• Front occupant side airbags
  
• Head protection airbags for front and rear occupants
  
• Heated front and rear seats
  
• Heated rear screen
  
• Automatic front and rear temperature control
  
• Organic Electroluminescent (OEL) displays
  
• LED map lamps and ambient lighting
  
• Trip computer
  
• Cruise control
  
• Hard Disk Drive (HDD) satellite navigation system *1,2
  
• Bluetooth telephone preparation *1
  
• Satellite radio system (USA only)
  
• Powerfold exterior mirrors
  
• Front and rear parking sensors
  
• Tyre pressure monitoring *1
  
• Alarm and immobiliser
  
• Remote-control central door locking and boot release
  
• Battery conditioner
  
• Tracking device (UK only) *3
  
• Boot mounted umbrella
  

In Car Entertainment

• 1000W Bang & Olufsen BeoSound audio system with ICEpower® technology
  
• Integrated Apple iPod® connector *4
  
• USB connector with Windows Media Audio (WMA) and MP3 audio file compatibility
  
• 3.5 mm auxiliary input socket
  

Options

• Cooled front and rear seats
  
• Twin screen rear seat entertainment system with 6-disc DVD player, auxiliary input, wireless headphones and remote control
  
• Alternative facia trim finishes – Mahogany, Piano Black, Bamboo, Tamo Ash, Double Apex Alloy, Nexus Alloy
  
• Matching wood door trim
  
• Colour-keyed steering wheel
  
• Second glass key
  
• Magnum silver rear lamp infills
  
• Delete model badging
  
• Delete protective tape
  
• 20" alloy wheels with graphite finish
  
• 20" alloy wheels with polished finish
  
• Alternative brake calliper finish – black, red, silver
  
• Personalised sill plaques
  
• Auto dimming interior rear view mirror with garage door opener (Europe only)
  
• Alarm upgrade (volumetric and tilt sensor)
  
• Tracking device *1,3
  
• First aid kit
  
• Ashtray and Cigar Lighter

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Kia Tries to Tempt UK Buyers with New Limited Edition Soul Tempest

The beginning of the month sees Kia's UK division launching yet another limited edition version of the Soul, the 'Tempest', which replaces the outgoing 'Samba' model. Part of Kia's Original Collection models, the Tempest comes in a Titanium Silver finish with black high-gloss bumper inserts and door mirrors, and is fitted with specific black 18-inch alloy wheels. As for the interior, the Tempest gets 'Soul-Shine' black seat trim with metallic centre fascia and chrome accents on the dashboard and instrument clusters.

Other key features of the limited edition model include a reversing camera system with electrochromic rearview mirror and an upgraded audio system featuring a dash-top centre speaker, rear sub-woofer and external amplifier.

The Soul Tempest is available with 1.6-litre petrol and diesel engines with prices starting from £12,845.

Volkswagen's 2011 U.S.-Made Passat Replacement More Realistically Rendered

Just last week, Volkswagen released a second teaser sketch of its new mid-size sedan that will go on sale in the fall of 2011 replacing the Passat in its North American lineup. However, if history has taught us anything, chances are that the actual production model will be even less exciting than the initial sketches suggest. With this in mind, Eduardo Oliveira from Brazil's 'Irmaododecio' used both drawings from VW to come up with a more realistic take on the new model.

Needless to say, it's anyone's guess if Oliveira's rendering comes close or not to Volkswagen's forthcoming proposal in the mid-size sedan segment.

The yet to be named sedan will be built at Volkswagen Group of America's new Chattanooga, Tennessee production facility.

Via: Imaododecio (Thanks to Eduardo for the tip)

SEMA Show: Subaru gives the 2010 Legacy 2.5GT the Low Rider Treatment

The 2009 SEMA Show in Sin City this week will see Subaru taking the veils off a 'low-rider' style 2010 Legacy GT that blends parts from SPT and the Japanese domestic market (JDM) with custom features for the full "VIP", or as it's called in Japan, "bippu" treatment. According to Subbie, "VIP is a style known for a clean, yet heavily reworked, luxury theme with an emphasis on impossibly low ride height and huge, aggressively styled wheels."

So what does this translate in terms of style? Subaru started off by replacing the stock intercooler and the hood scoop with a Mishimoto front mount intercooler with custom piping for a smoother look while the turbo Boxer is dressed up with a custom full engine bay cover, SPT billet oil cap v2.0 and SPT billet battery hold-down v2.0.

Next they lowered the ride with an air suspension system from Universal Air and added custom made 20-inch MC3 Enterprises Trinidad alloy wheels shod in 235/30R20 Falken FK452 tires.

The car is also said to feature a number of body parts from the Japanese domestic market (JDM) Legacy, including: hood, bumper faces, sport grille, front and rear under spoilers, HID headlights and fog lights plus new Roof and decklid lip spoilers. Other features include rolled and flared fenders along with chrome tid bits on the exterior.

As you can see in the single picture issued by Subaru, the Legacy VIP's interior has been customized with diamond stitch seats and door trim finished in Togarashi Red, an illumination kit and STI Duracon shift knob while other goodies include rear a pair of bucket seats at the rear and a multimedia system.