Despite the Aston Martin Rapide still waiting to enter the market, it has picked up an award from readers of the German car magazine Auto Zeitung.

In all, Aston Martin was successful in three categories, with the DB9 Volante and the V12 Vantage also being honoured in their respective markets.

The Aston Martin Rapide picked up a little over a third of the votes in the Luxury Class/Imported Cars category, as the awards celebrated their 22nd edition.

Dr Ulrich Bez, Aston Martin chief executive, said: "Such recognition for the Rapide before the car even enters the market is particularly encouraging for us.

"We set out to build the most elegant four-door sports car in the world and that is what we have achieved."

Meanwhile, the Aston Martin V12 Vantage collected almost 31 per cent of the votes in the Sports Car/Imported class and the DB9 Volante just held off the opposition in a convertibles grouping.

Among the starring features of the Rapide's package, according to Aston Martin, are a powerful engine and a lightweight but stiff infrastructure.

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Posted by Daniel Foster