Behind the scenes on the Rapide Launch

Continued from newsletter...

A fleet of ten new Rapides greeted the visiting journalists, drawn from media outlets around the world, occupying the ultra-modern Hospes Palau de la Mar hotel in Valencia for nearly a month. Aston Martin's support team of 35 ensured the event ran smoothly.

The launch gave the media a superb first taste of the Rapide's capabilities across some spectacular stretches of local road, winding up into the Valencian hills, through picturesque villages and down tight mountain passes. The reaction was universally positive - ecstatic, even. As Autocar (UK) noted, '[the Rapide] is positively engaging on any journey and, on a long haul, there are few better cars to be in ... the Rapide is a triumph.' Evo (UK) wrote that 'as a driving tool the Rapide will take some beating,' while American publication Motor Trend said that 'when it comes to style, sophistication, and that heavenly sound, there's no question: This swan's song is the sweetest of the flock.' 'the Rapide [is] the most desirable exotic car I have ever driven and the answer to all those who've wanted their sports car style with a modicum of four-door practicality,' wrote Canada's The National Post. 'The Rapide is matchless,' concluded MotorAuthority.com.