Motoring Weekly

A beauty with power

March 24 - 30, 2010
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Gulf Weekly A beauty with power

Should James Bond live long enough to settle down and raise a family ... he will not have to give up driving his favourite car.

Executives at Montana Motors, the official Aston Martin dealer for Bahrain, unveiled the four-door Rapide at the Ritz-Carlton Bahrain Hotel & Spa.

Shaikh Ahmed Hasan Al Khalifa, managing director of Montana Motors, said: "As the marque's first production four-door sports car we have experienced unprecedented demand from our clients. It encapsulates core values of power, beauty and soul. The car has changed the concept of luxury sports cars with its elegance and beautiful design."

There has been a staggering response to the launch. Daniel Redpath, brand communications manager for Aston Martin, said: "We have received interests from 20 prospective customers in Bahrain and 300 from across the GCC."

Rapide features a hand-built 6.0-litre V12 engine producing 470 bhp with peak power being delivered at 6000 rpm and 600 Nm and peak torque at 5000 rpm.

A specifically tuned six-speed automatic transmission features as standard, allowing the driver to change gear automatically or manually via the steering column-mounted magnesium paddles.

The Rapide, functional yet luxurious, provides space for up to four adults should the secret agent in your life need to transport the kids to their horse riding lessons.

The car's four 'swan wing' doors provide access to cosseting sports seats both front and rear bestowing occupants with ample accommodation. A 317-litre luggage compartment offers plenty of space for a baby buggy too.

The car, which starts from BD87,913, has been on sale since November with its first delivery planned for June.







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