This is the first official image of the Aston Martin Rapide racing car, which will take part in the Nurburgring 24-hour race on 15-16 May.
Aston Martin is obviously keen to prove the Rapide’s sporting credentials - its new super-saloon will be racing alongside the V12 Vantage coupe at the Nordschleife with none other than Aston CEO Dr Ulrich Bez leading the Rapide driver team.
“The Rapide has the capability to carry four people in comfort but first and foremost it is a sports car and we will subject it to the same tests we would our other sports cars,” says Dr Bez. “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.”
The V12 Vantage coupe made its competitive debut at last year’s Nurburgring 24 hours, coming 21st overall and winning its class (SP8) outright.
Aston will carry over its philosophy of making minimal race modifications from the V12 Vantage to the Rapide. The Rapide will in fact be as close as possible to standard specification, albeit with essential race safety modifications, the interior trim removed to reduce weight, re-tuned suspension and slick tyres.