Tag: Rapide

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Aston Martin

Fake plastic spree forces Aston Martin recall

Aston Martin Virage

Counterfeit materials used by a “third tier” Chinese parts supplier have given Aston Martin cause to recall more than 17,500 of its cars. The only model to escape the callback is the Vanquish, while all other left-hand drive models built since November 2007 and right-hand drive models built since May 2012 are affected.

The part concerned is a pedal arm for the accelerator which does not meet specification and could break causing a stuck throttle, for example. Despite internal investigations discovering the only recorded example of the pedal arm breaking occurred while a US dealer was performing a retrofit for an existing recall campaign Aston Martin has taken decisive action to remedy the potential problem.

A letter to the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (320kb PDF) details the problem and states:

Aston Martin’s engineering specification requires pedals arms to be made of PA6 material supplied by DuPont. Initial tests on the failed pedal arm have shown that the Tier Three Supplier (defined below) used counterfeit material, which was received in bags labelled as DuPont PA6 material.

Tests reveal that the failed pedal arm was made from material consistent with PA6.6 material, rather than DuPoint PA6 material as specified in our drawing specification…

All counterfeit material and all pedal arms made of this suspect material have been quarantined.

Representatives from Aston Martin and DuPont will travel to Shenzen Kexiang Mould Tool in China to supervise the production of the new pedal arms using materials supplied directly by DuPont.

Aston Martin says it will contact all owners about the recall and it plans to shift production of the pedal arms from China to the UK “as soon as possible in 2014”.

Swift, decisive and assertive. That, Volkswagen, is how you carry out a recall.

[Source: Reuters & NPR]

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Aston Martin Drive Thru

Drive Thru: Aston Martin Rapide

Aston Martin Rapide

Back when I tested the BMW M5 another car joined us on the test. As you’ve clearly guessed by now that car was an Aston Martin Rapide. And while I didn’t get a lot of time behind the wheel it would be rude not to share the experience with you.

Prior to hitting the road we met for a bite to eat and while walking back to the cars the Aston had to drive past us to join our small convoy. Right away it was clear that Aston Martins enjoy much public adoration. People stopped to look as the V12 Rapide drove by, one person clearly heard saying, “Wow, did you see the Aston Martin!”

And with good reason, too, because the Rapide is a beautiful looking car. Long, lithe and beautfully proportioned.

Even during our test, where the road is shared with weekend warriors of all persuasions—cars, motorbikes and cyclists—we enjoyed a chat with a few like minded souls. Nobody seemed to care about the M5, they just smiled at the Aston and wanted to ask all about it.

Inside the Rapide it’s just as beautiful as out. The materials are first class and its assembly was difficult to fault. It has a few ideosynchrasies, like the gear selector buttons beneath the central air conditioning vents, but you really could spend all day snuggled inside this cabin where all your senses are spoilt.

Although, not so much if you had to ride in the back seat. Curiously, for a car designed as a dedicated four-seater the back seats are a very snug fit. Indeed, if anyone in the front row is tall then the rear seat is not much good for anyone other than a small adult or child.

Okay, so we know the Aston is special enough to make the experience an event even before the 6.0 litre V12 is fired up, what happens when you press the start button?

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Aston Martin

Aston Martin Rapide film: part 3

Here is the thrilling conclusion to the Aston Martin Rapide marketing gimmick film. Without giving too much away, it turns out we end the film film where we started. Which begs the question, was it all worth it?

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Aston Martin

Aston Martin Rapide film: part 2

Here is part 2 of the Aston Martin Rapide film True power should be shared. There’s one more part to go. Let’s hope things get better in the final segment of the film.

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Aston Martin

Aston Martin Rapide image gallery

Aston Martin Rapide

Deliveries of the Aston Martin Rapide have just begun. It’s a big few days for the Rapide, which makes a debut of another kind at next weekend’s Nürburgring 24 hour race. To celebrate these events AUSmotive presents a massive image gallery showcasing the Rapide in four colours; Magma Red, Hardly Green, Quantum Silver and Silver Blonde.

There’s over 70 images in all, so keep a note of this URL for future reference. As is usual with AUSmotive image galleries all pics can be accessed in 2000px super image sizing by simply clicking on each photo.

Some other numbers to keep in mind while looking over the pics—12, 350, 600 and 366,280. That’s the number of cylinders in the 6.0 litre engine, its peak power in kilowatts, the peak torque in Newton metres and the last number is the pre-delivery list pricing of the Rapide in Australian dollars.

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Aston Martin

Rapide ready for Nurburgring 24 hour race

Aston Martin Rapide

Aston Martin’s new four-door saloon, the Rapide, will be racing at this year’s Nürburgring 24 hour race. As usual Aston’s CEO Dr Ulrich Bez will be at the wheel of the Rapide for the race, despite having the choice of the Vantage V12 as well.

The Rapide will hit the track as close to production trim as possible and Dr Bez explains this is a great test for his machines, “This race represents the ultimate final engineering durability test for any sports car – it subjects the car to the toughest possible assessment under public scrutiny.”

Aston has a pretty handy record at the 24 hour race, winning out the SP8 class for the last two years. Good luck to them adding a new car to their honour board in 2010.

Full press release available after the jump.

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Aston Martin

Aston Martin Rapide – official renderings

Aston Martin Rapide

Aston Martin recently released these computer generated images of the new Rapide luxury saloon. The Rapide Concept was first revealed way back in 2006 and while its evolution may be slow, the latest images show that the production model won’t stray too far from the original concept.

The most immediate difference is the new crease line starting at the mid front door section which extends into the rear door. Also gone are the lower cutouts on the outer edges of the front grille. The full glass roof, however, will make it to the final production version.

While scant technical details have been confirmed, speculation from last April, suggests the car will be powered by Aston Martin’s familiar V12. A maximum power figure of over 500hp can be expected, given the 510hp output of the 6.0 litre V12 recently shoehorned into the Vantage.

The overall dimensions shouldn’t differ too greatly from the DB9, despite the extra set of doors. It is also anyone’s guess as to when the car have its official reveal. It’s probably pretty safe to guess that it will happen some time this year, but will the Geneva Motor Show in March be too soon?

AUSmotive wasn’t around in 2006, so following the comgen images after the jump is the official Rapide Concept press release, including a handful of images.

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