Automotive The Racket

As you know, Aston Martin brand is arguably the most take pride in Britain, but the reality is that as many brands they make outside of their territory, and in the case of Rapide production were located in Austria.

Now that will change, and that this luxury four-door will be manufactured in the UK, particularly in the famous brand factory is located in Warwickshire.

The change in production will not be until mid-2012, when it is anticipated that the plant is ready for it Gaydon.

Sounds very promising as that may arise from the mixing of English refinement, Italian style and passion for high engine that profess them. This time, the search for that step further in sophistication gesture that can shake many people in Modena: the Aston Martin V12 Zagato.

In fact, this is not the first alliance between the 2 European companies, although most followed by motor enthusiasts. The V12 Zagato marks the 50 anniversary of the relationship that began in 1961 with the opening of Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato – an Italian version of the DB4 British manufacturing.

The companies say there is a little bit of experience in these 50 years in the V12 Zagato, with inspiration, not only from the DB4GT, but the DB7 Zagato and V8 Vantage Zagato.

Marek Reichmann, Director of Design for Aston Martin Zagato says the V12 is a sleek and brutal that reflects the great balance between performance and style Aston Martin.

Like the V12 Vantage, the new Zagato is powered by 5.9 liter engine that produces 380kW Aston and 570 nm of torque.

After more than a year of suspense and doubt about their release, Aston Martin finally released the first official picture of its next model, the Rapide. This is a sport which, however, presents the design of a four-door coupe and sedan performance.

Derived from the DB9 coupe, the Rapide was introduced as a concept in 2006. The final version of the model, which can be seen in the photos, preserving the muscular traits that characterize the brand.

The English brand has decided to classify the Rapide as a “four-door sports, ” a statement that has little to see chosen for its direct rival, the Porsche Panamera, which sells its model as a “Gran Turismo”.

While the engine was not yet confirmed by the factory, it is speculated that equips the 5.9 liter V12 from 476 hp to mount the DB9. You should also keep the box six-speed Touchtronic automatic with manual shift option. Rumor that the Rapide accelerates from 0 to 100 in just 5 seconds.

Production will begin later this year and will be held in Graz, Austria, by Magna Steyr.