2010 Aston Martin Rapide production model

It has been over three years since Aston Martinfirst previewed its Rapide ultra-luxury sedan in concept form. Today, at the Frankfurt auto show, the British automaker finally revealed the production version of the car.

It goes without saying the car will compete with vehicles like the Porsche Panamera. But the Aston will likely be one of the most expensive and exclusive luxury sports sedans on the market.

The Rapide features a hand-built 6.0-litre V12 engine producing 470 horsepower with peak power being delivered at 6,000 rpm and 443 pound-feet of peak torque at 5,000 rpm. A specifically tuned six-speed Touchtronic 2 automatic transmission allows the driver to change gear automatically or manually via the steering column-mounted magnesium paddles.

As one can see, the production version is very similar to the concept car, but does swap out quad-air intakes for upper and lower grilles. The rear of the car has strong family ties to otherAston Martin models, and sports �smoked� rear taillights.

As reportedly recently, the Rapide will be the first ever Aston Martin built outside of the United Kingdom, thanks to a partnership up with Magna Steyr.

Given a strong interest in the Rapide, Aston Martin says it will build between 1,000 and 2,000 units per year, up from an original estimate of 500 or less.

Like Aston�s other models, the Rapide is built on the company�s VH (Vertical/Horizontal) architecture � the same that underpins the DB9. The Rapide will also borrow its twelve-cylinder powerplant from the DB9, although power will be increased from 450 horsepower to 470. With that power routed through a six-speed transmission � featuring Aston Martin�s Touchtronic control � the Rapide should make the sprint from zero to 60 mph in under five seconds, on its way to a top speed of 180 mph.

Expect to see the Aston Martin Rapide to hit the market sometime during 2010, with a price tag in the $200,000 range.