Aston Martin Completes Another Round of Testing in Scandinavia

Aston Martin's upcoming Rapide has once again been spotted undergoing winter testing in Scandinavia.

Since several images of the four-coupe have already been leaked, it's of little surprise that this particular mule is virtually free of camouflage. Only non-production wheels and door mirrors mask the beauty that the production model will feature when it debuts later this year, possibly at next month's Geneva Motor Show.

Power will most likely come from the company's 6.0-liter V12 engine which is also used in the DB9. Thanks to a recent update the engine produces 470 bhp (350kW) and 600 Nm of torque, this means the new Rapide should be able to run from 0-60 mph in under five seconds and reach a top speed somewhere in the neighborhood of a 185 mph. Of course, nothing is official as of yet and Aston could choose to equip the Rapide with the Vantage's 4.7-liter V8 engine that produces 420 bhp (313kW) and 470 Nm of torque.

Aston's new four-seater four-door coupe will go up against models such as the Porsche Panamera, Audi's A7, the Mercedes CLS, and possibly a production version of the Lamborghini Estoque concept.

Production of the Rapide is scheduled to start late this year at Magna Steyr's plant in Graz, Austria. Aston Martin hopes to sell 2000 cars annually, but given the current economic climate that sounds a bit optimistic.