Aston Martin Shows its mettle

The Swiss.  What have they really given the world?  A small pocket knife, cuckoo clocks and some bodyguards for the Vatican.

Yet every March this beautiful, environmentally-conscious country plays host to the world's car makers at the annual Geneva Auto Salon.  Between the 2nd and 12th of March, the Palexpo centre in Geneva will come alive with the glitz and glamour of the 76th International Motorshow.

This year, Aston Martin has another show-stopper to grace its' stand - the Aston Martin Rapide.  This is a concept of what a four-door Aston Martin could look like if ever one was to reach production.  Ultimately it has been designed to demonstrate the flexibility of the VH Platform, already underpinning both the DB9 and the V8 Vantage, itself a crowd puller at last year's show.

Designed by Aston Martin's newly-appointed Design Director, Marek Reichman (a British designer who had been working with Ford in the US), the Rapide stands for stylistic excellence, market innovation and flexible manufacturing.  It is the epitome of Aston Martin's low volume, high technology approach, the synergy between modern materials and traditional skills creating a new form of craftsmanship for the 21st century.

"In terms of elegance, the Rapide is adding value to the DB9's undisputed style and subtle understatement," says Dr Bez.  "Our cars must look beautiful from all angles, and the four-door is very well balanced."

He goes on, "The proportions must be perfect.  If we couldn't have achieved this, then we wouldn't have made the car".

The Rapide will form just part of a five car stand featuring V8 Vantage, DB9 Coupe and Volante and Vanquish S.  We will be on the stand on the 6th & 7th March to welcome HWM Aston Martin customers and give them a closer insight into any of the cars.