The production ready Rapide was eventually unveiled in September 2009 at the 63rd Frankfurt Motor Show with production starting shortly afterwards. Early production cars appeared at dealers during launch events in the early Spring 2010 with customers taking delivery of cars from April 2010. The Rapide was the first production 4 door Aston Martin since the William Towns styled AM Lagonda which ceased production in 1989. Although not badged as a Lagonda, the Rapide is certainly a true descendant of both the DB4 based Lagonda Rapide of the 1960s and V8 powered wedge Lagonda from the 1970s and 80s.