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.
After dabbling for years in the IT industry, Paul Tan initially began this site as a general blog covering various topics of personal interest. With an increasing number of readers paying rapt attention to the motoring stories, one thing led to another and the rest, as they say, is history. An avid electronic gadget aficionado as well as big-time coffee lover, he's also the executive producer of the Driven motoring TV programme.
Good looking and powerful car, but the steering design is a little bit drawn back.
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..
why cant a coupe have 4 seats? the 3 coupe has 4 seats, even the proton putra has 4, or 5.
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_veni…
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??
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).
I will choose Aston Martin more than the new 4 doors Porsche.
Outlook and shape does matter to me!
i have seen this aston already on the Carma magazine.i will give them a thumbs up 4 their design.kudos!
"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.
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.
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..
Basically a stretched DB9, given an extra pair of doors. Still better looking than most cars, mind you.
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?
this is absolutely gorgeous!
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
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!
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!
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!
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…
Before this is Porshe now Aston. This one is damn nice. sleek design. After Merc CLS now all have the 4 door coupe.
Not only its beautiful on the outside, but on the inside it looks so inviting indeed. A true double-0seven car it is.
This is what I call a Real Car! Simply Magnificient! If there is such thing as sex appeal in a car, this is it.
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!!
aston martin shooting brake 5 dr, …of the past
http://www.astonmartins.com/virage/images/am043.j…
almost certain to beat the panamera in looks. and problably only in the looks department.
Woahhhhh! this Aston Rapide is beauty!
a very-very long coupe indeed!
makes Panamera looklike crocodile!!!
yea~ agree to u, transformer…
it looks much more nicier than the porsche panamera
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!!!!
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.
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?
aston martin…best car…very nice..good horsepower….
panjang tapi lawa
I think this Aston Martin looks awesome! Way much better than the porsche panamera!
The only possible contender would be the Lamborghini Estoque!
How much is this gonna cost?? And when is it xspected to go in production
This car is good for sex in the boot while running the queen over while getting tossed off by your best m8s mum!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!