Aston Martin has confirmed its Rapide super-saloon will be powered by a 6-litre V12 engine.

The power plant will develop 470bhp and 442lb/ft of pulling power.

Power is channelled to the Aston Martin Rapide’s rear wheels through a ‘Touchtronic’ semi-automatic gearbox.

The British car maker is yet to reveal performance figures, but a 0-62mph time of less than five seconds and a top speed in excess of 180mph look likely.

The Aston Martin Rapide is billed as the company’s ‘first true four-door sports car’ but is not the car maker’s first four-door model: it sold the Lagonda between 1974 and 1989.

While Aston Martin is famously British, the Rapide’s engine and gearbox are built in Cologne, Germany and the car assembled in Graz, Austria – but co-ordinated by an Aston Martin team from the UK.

Aston decided to outsource the Rapide’s production to automotive specialists Magna Steyr in March last year due to huge demand at the time for the V8 Vantage, DB9 and DBS.

Originally debuting at the 2006 Detroit Motor Show, the Rapide was well received by industry experts.

After more than three-and-a-half years of concepts and sneak images, the Aston Martin Rapide production car will make its official world debut at September’s Frankfurt Motor Show before going on sale early next year.

When it arrives on British forecourts, there will be no shortage of rival luxury four-door saloons including the new Porsche Panamera and Bentley Continental Flying Spur.

Video: Watch footage of James Bond's Aston Martin DBS in Quantum of Solace: