Aston Martin Rapide Caught Undisguised
Ever since the Aston Martin Rapide Concept was shown back in 2006 at the Detroit Motor Show we have been pleading for the British manfacturer to build a production version and with these first spy shots of a near production ready model it appears we are going to get our wish.
Plans for the production version were originally shelved by previous owners Ford when they decided to sell their majority stake in Aston Martin, but when the consortium headed by David Richards took over, one of their first decisions was to confirm production for the Rapide.
The DB9 provides the platform for the new Rapide as well as its 450hp V12 engine, although this is expected to be tuned to pump out 480hp. From the prototype caught we can see the styling stays very similar to the concept, although there is a slightly modifed rear end.
The debut is likely to be sometime during 2009 and will be launched as a 2010 model when it do battle in a hugely competitive market against the likes of the Porsche Panamera, VW Passat CC, Audi A7 and Mercedes CLS.
I guess this is not a petrol car. I guess it is on a petrol station only for disguise reasons! Did you notice that in both pictures the petrol tap is not in use???!!! I guess this is a electro-Car! :-D
Maybe its not in use because he already used it and the testdriver is ready to hit the road again....
or they just popped in for a soda and candy bar :D
Judging from his movement and the door being open ... yes.
I have to disagree with this statement "hugely competitive market against the likes of the Porsche Panamera, VW Passat CC, Audi A7 and Mercedes CLS" to be honest the only direct contender is the Porsche Panamera, as even the CLS can only match it image wise with the AMG versions, not to mention that the VW Passat is at a totally different end of the market!
it looks like a 4 door DB 9, nothing special. i srtill prefer the quatroporte!
It might look like a DB9, because basically it IS a DB9.
The taillights look a bit boring though. Could have spiced it up a bit with the DBS' styling cues.
This one looks very streched - which is something I like.
The quattroporte, to me, is a completely different car, sportier and armed with a bit more ferocity.
It looks boring and lacks the appeal of the MB's CLS or the Maserati Quatropporte. I expected a more compelling design from Aston Martin.
You can see clearly that the rear doors are decoys this is another car
and what other car should that be?
yes, it looks more like a fourdoor-DB9 then an outstanding car, but I definitly a fan of the sexy roofdesign!
I whould'n compare it with Passat too. But maybe with a Quattroporte. Both are Sportscars and luxurysedans in one car
Looking at the way the door handles and frames are disguised I'd say this is going to be a pillarless design with suicide rear doors like the Mazda RX8.
The Quattroporte isn't a 4-door Coupé, eventhough an eventual V12 version could be a potential rival for the Rapide, CLS AMG, Panamera, Audi S7(?), 8-Series, etc...
Cool :D Pictures is taken on a Shell station on a highway close to me
This just looks like a long wheele base version of the DB9.
looks great-for the sake of being a coupe, i hope the rear door handles are kept on the inside: 1. looks more like a coupe 2. suicide doors
what is the model of AM? I think too OKie but to competitive with Porsche or Audi??????? Maybe
wow sexiest car in the planet...the 4 doors coupe design is much better than the already outstanding mb cls
Guys don't place your judgement on a prototype version, I'm pretty sure the production version would be breathless like all other AM's..
phobos , look again ... is it really better than the CLS ??
the db9 looks much better....proportions seems to be very bad on this saloon car
this car is stunning and if you are all wondering what the back door handles will look like they are exactly the same as the front.
so ... im waiting the production of this charming car ... not the spy photo