Aston Martin Rapide 4-door Coupe
In my updates on the Porsche Panamera, I will usually mention two competitors, the CLS and the Aston Martin Rapide. But then I realise I haven’t actually posted anything about the Rapide have I? Basically, the Aston Martin Rapide is a 4-door coupe concept that’s set to go into production, expected to account for between 1,000 to 2,000 units annually. This will bring Aston Martin’s yearly production up to 7,000 units.
Aston Martin is pretty much an independant automaker now, but Ford still retains a 8% stake. More photos after the jump.
March 15, 2007 @ 1:36 am
Good looking and powerful car, but the steering design is a little bit drawn back.
March 15, 2007 @ 3:01 am
a coupe that have 4 seat? that aint a coupe? now im dizzy..lol..
nice looking car with great styling, have to agree with stingrayINC about the steering design..
i just love the bling2 center console..
March 15, 2007 @ 3:18 am
why cant a coupe have 4 seats? the 3 coupe has 4 seats, even the proton putra has 4, or 5.
March 15, 2007 @ 7:03 am
well i would rather go for a little bit rational like the
Ferrari 456 GTA Venice which looks more purposeful,
http://www.leblogauto.com/images/ferrari_gta_venice_break_2.jpg
March 15, 2007 @ 7:45 am
Nice design, nice car.
A coupe with 4 seats make it more versatile.. cheers!!!
But heard that Ford Group had sold the Aston Martin and only remain the share hold 15%.. is it correct??
March 15, 2007 @ 7:46 am
The engine bay looks stretched to the max, like Merc SLR. But its understandable since most RWD car have long engine bays to achieve 50:50 weight distribution since the engine & transmission itself is very heavy.
So little headroom for the rear passengers tho.. sloping rooflines always a nice sporty touch, but compromises on headroom space. Like what happened to the gen2 (limited rear headroom) and neo (limited front headroom).
March 15, 2007 @ 7:53 am
I will choose Aston Martin more than the new 4 doors Porsche.
Outlook and shape does matter to me!
March 15, 2007 @ 8:17 am
i have seen this aston already on the Carma magazine.i will give them a thumbs up 4 their design.kudos!
March 15, 2007 @ 9:01 am
“But heard that Ford Group had sold the Aston Martin and only remain the share hold 15%.. is it correct??”
if you actually read Paul’s article, you will know that the number you’re talking about is nearer to 8%, scroll up and you will see it.
Haven’t you guys heard of the Mercedes CLS aka flying banana? it’s described by mercedes as a “4 DOOR” coupe.
March 15, 2007 @ 9:16 am
looks like a stretched aston. not really an integrated design but then, design is subjective. not my choice though. the panamera is still too covered up to decide whether it looks good or not but i’m guessing that the long roofline and stumpy rear section is designed to give more rear passenger headroom. something that porsche discovered was problem in the cls.
March 15, 2007 @ 9:34 am
whoa! super sweet..semi bucket for even rear passengers..
btw, the headlights looks like its just taken a few styling cues from the headlights of the BMW 5-series..
March 15, 2007 @ 9:47 am
Basically a stretched DB9, given an extra pair of doors. Still better looking than most cars, mind you.
March 15, 2007 @ 9:52 am
Wow! This Aston Martin is elegant and sporty as always…. Funny that the boot seems to be designed to carry just the chessboards and wine accessories. So i guess the buyers can only do a wine ‘picnic’ by a nice lake but the lady boss can’t go shopping with it huh?
The Ikea style birch wood panelling is very tastefully done unlike the usual ah pek wood panelling found in many cars these days. I hope they use real wood instead of plastic ‘wood’.
But have anyone noticed? Where is the GEAR STICK? Or is it F1 style pedals hiding behind the steering wheel?
March 15, 2007 @ 10:05 am
this is absolutely gorgeous!
March 15, 2007 @ 10:15 am
i’ll take this four door coupe anytime.
but not so sure about that wine and glasses compartment though.
i got 4 kids and i’m sure that glasses are gone when they bump into each other at the back
ps- keeping it very ENGLISH? why don’t Aston Martin fit it with tea bags, sugar, and creamer? hahahahahahaahahaahaah
March 15, 2007 @ 10:19 am
Now this is sporty elegance, this is what a 4-door coupe should look like! Shame on the CLS and Panamera’s designers ahha! We have a winner here!
March 15, 2007 @ 10:32 am
Paul, gimme a shout out if you want exclusive (unpublished anywhere else) pics of the rapide, which I took during last year’s British Motorshow. They are probably not the best, but I’m not a professional photographer am I?
I’ve seen this car in the flesh. I’ll buy ten of them, give them away to anyone who wants one, and buy ten more, if I am that rich. Absolutely awesome!
March 15, 2007 @ 11:40 am
Aston Martins are always stunning and sexy.
Loved the RAPIDE wholeheartedly.
Would definitely get this Little Thing over a Ferrari if I have the cash for it.
Cheers!
March 15, 2007 @ 12:37 pm
Looks good as all Aston would. But it doesn’t have the stout muscular stance of the S-class or the 7 series hence making it more like another niche. Further it only seat 4 which makes u wonder it is a driver’s car or a chaffeured car?
Hey Paul, when is this car due to be on sale? Not like i would buy one but it would be nice to know…
March 15, 2007 @ 1:33 pm
Before this is Porshe now Aston. This one is damn nice. sleek design. After Merc CLS now all have the 4 door coupe.
March 15, 2007 @ 3:26 pm
Not only its beautiful on the outside, but on the inside it looks so inviting indeed. A true double-0seven car it is.
March 15, 2007 @ 4:02 pm
This is what I call a Real Car! Simply Magnificient! If there is such thing as sex appeal in a car, this is it.
March 15, 2007 @ 4:12 pm
Absolutely gorgeous………..until I looked into the interior…..YUCK!!! Ugly colour scheme, it shud hv a bit darker theme, just like the exterior. Other than that, no other complaint, this is simply astonishing!!
March 15, 2007 @ 5:34 pm
aston martin shooting brake 5 dr, …of the past
http://www.astonmartins.com/virage/images/am043.jpg
March 15, 2007 @ 6:15 pm
almost certain to beat the panamera in looks. and problably only in the looks department.
March 15, 2007 @ 6:25 pm
Woahhhhh! this Aston Rapide is beauty!
a very-very long coupe indeed!
makes Panamera looklike crocodile!!!
March 15, 2007 @ 9:07 pm
yea~ agree to u, transformer…
it looks much more nicier than the porsche panamera
March 15, 2007 @ 11:10 pm
Pure luxury, interior and exterior, with a 6.0 V12 engine…….
Way better than the Panamera, but at some point, CLS will be the overall winner. Maybe because I love CLS so much, haha~
No offence to Maserati Quattroporte, Maybach 62, RollsRoyce Phantom, Bentley Continental Flying Spur, BMW 7-Series or any other super luxury sedan/limo, I just love the CLS, especially the new CLS63 AMG.
Paul, thank you for posting about Aston Martin Rapide, really thank you!!!!
March 16, 2007 @ 10:43 am
Very nice.
But something has to be done to the rear sitting compartment. Such narrow interior space will leave passengers feeling more like sitting in a long minivan than a luxury 4 seater.
The car should be wider by at least 3 inches. And the rear…. i don;t there’s any head room.
Fix it, launch it and have a good 2 man show with Panamera.
March 16, 2007 @ 10:45 am
mitlanevo said,
March 15, 2007 @ 11:10 pm
No offence to Maserati Quattroporte, Maybach 62, RollsRoyce Phantom, Bentley Continental Flying Spur, BMW 7-Series or any other super luxury sedan/limo, I just love the CLS, especially the new CLS63 AMG.
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Trying to lengthen your post ? What’s there to offense?
March 20, 2007 @ 5:42 am
[...] Click here for more details on the Aston Martin Rapide concept. [...]
March 20, 2007 @ 9:29 am
aston martin…best car…very nice..good horsepower….
March 20, 2007 @ 1:56 pm
panjang tapi lawa
May 15, 2007 @ 2:42 am
[...] in the four-door sedan and GT crossover segment. It will go head to head against the likes of the Aston Martin Rapide, which is another beautiful and sleek car by itself. Video after [...]
August 2, 2009 @ 6:47 pm
I think this Aston Martin looks awesome! Way much better than the porsche panamera!
The only possible contender would be the Lamborghini Estoque!
October 5, 2009 @ 2:21 am
How much is this gonna cost?? And when is it xspected to go in production
November 23, 2009 @ 10:50 pm
This car is good for sex in the boot while running the queen over while getting tossed off by your best m8s mum!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!