2009 Aston Martin Rapide

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060523/FREE/60523002/1024/LATESTNEWS">Rapide Delivery
New four-door Aston Martin gets green light; vehicle aimed at upcoming Porsche Panamera</a>
By GREG KABLE
AutoWeek | Published 05/23/06, 1:57 pm et

Aston Martin boss Ulrich Bez has confirmed the company's well-received Rapide concept will become a production reality. In an interview with the German based automotive industry magazine and AutoWeek sister publication, Automobilwoche, Bez signaled a decision to build the svelte four-door sedan had recently been taken by Aston Martin parent company, Ford, and that it would reach North American showrooms before the similarly conceived Porsche Panamera, which is due out in 2009.

"We're not taking any orders yet. But the car will be built," Bez said, adding, "The Rapide will reach the market before the Panamera." This leaves Aston Martin just two and half years to engineer and develop the new car, which will line up alongside the V8 Vantage, DB9 and a successor to today's Vanquish to provide the rejuvenated British sportscar maker with arguably its strongest model range ever.

The basis for the new front-engined sedan will be a modular aluminium structure similar to that employed on other Aston Martin models, with production set to take place at the company's Gaydon facility in England. Bez indicated the luxuriously equipped Rapide will sit at the very top of the Aston Martin stable, with production likely to range from 300 to 500 cars per year. Power for Aston Martin's new flagship is expected to come from a reworked version of the DB9's 5.9-liter V12 engine producing up to 500 hp.

Pics! So so gorgeous.

 

[James3shin]

um...looks like every other ashton, which isn't bad, but it isn't awe-inspiring.

 

[arcenite]

Originally posted by: KnightBreed

<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060523/FREE/60523002/1024/LATESTNEWS">Rapide Delivery
New four-door Aston Martin gets green light; vehicle aimed at upcoming Porsche Panamera</a>
By GREG KABLE
AutoWeek | Published 05/23/06, 1:57 pm et

Aston Martin boss Ulrich Bez has confirmed the company's well-received Rapide concept will become a production reality. In an interview with the German based automotive industry magazine and AutoWeek sister publication, Automobilwoche, Bez signaled a decision to build the svelte four-door sedan had recently been taken by Aston Martin parent company, Ford, and that it would reach North American showrooms before the similarly conceived Porsche Panamera, which is due out in 2009.

"We're not taking any orders yet. But the car will be built," Bez said, adding, "The Rapide will reach the market before the Panamera." This leaves Aston Martin just two and half years to engineer and develop the new car, which will line up alongside the V8 Vantage, DB9 and a successor to today's Vanquish to provide the rejuvenated British sportscar maker with arguably its strongest model range ever.

The basis for the new front-engined sedan will be a modular aluminium structure similar to that employed on other Aston Martin models, with production set to take place at the company's Gaydon facility in England. Bez indicated the luxuriously equipped Rapide will sit at the very top of the Aston Martin stable, with production likely to range from 300 to 500 cars per year. Power for Aston Martin's new flagship is expected to come from a reworked version of the DB9's 5.9-liter V12 engine producing up to 500 hp.

Pics! So so gorgeous.

Looks like a 4-door DB9.

 

[GTaudiophile]

It will have fun competing against the Porsche Panamera and über gorgeous Maserati Quattroporte.

 

[MX2]

Is that the one with the wine cooler and glasses in the hatch?

 

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
It will have fun competing against the Porsche Panamera and über gorgeous Maserati Quattroporte.

Compared to the Panamera photoshop and Rapide, the Quattroporte looks like a mid-90's Mazda.

I love that Autobild chop of the Porsche. I hope it looks something similar.

 

[Liviathan]

I wonder what Ford platform this will be.

 

[QurazyQuisp]

I'd take this or the porsche panamera, probably the aston though.

 

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

Originally posted by: Liviathan
I wonder what Ford platform this will be.

Reading is fundamental. From the very first post:

The basis for the new front-engined sedan will be a modular aluminium structure similar to that employed on other Aston Martin models, with production set to take place at the company's Gaydon facility in England. <snip>

 

[Pocatello]

300 to 500 a year. You won't see them on the roads too often.

 

[alfa147x]

show your love....

 

[xanis]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
It will have fun competing against the Porsche Panamera and über gorgeous Maserati Quattroporte.

The Panamera is sexy, but the Quattroporte is ugly as hell, so I don't think Aston Martin will have to compete with it too hard.

 

[Fenixgoon]

Originally posted by: arcenite

Originally posted by: KnightBreed

<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060523/FREE/60523002/1024/LATESTNEWS">Rapide Delivery
New four-door Aston Martin gets green light; vehicle aimed at upcoming Porsche Panamera</a>
By GREG KABLE
AutoWeek | Published 05/23/06, 1:57 pm et

Aston Martin boss Ulrich Bez has confirmed the company's well-received Rapide concept will become a production reality. In an interview with the German based automotive industry magazine and AutoWeek sister publication, Automobilwoche, Bez signaled a decision to build the svelte four-door sedan had recently been taken by Aston Martin parent company, Ford, and that it would reach North American showrooms before the similarly conceived Porsche Panamera, which is due out in 2009.

"We're not taking any orders yet. But the car will be built," Bez said, adding, "The Rapide will reach the market before the Panamera." This leaves Aston Martin just two and half years to engineer and develop the new car, which will line up alongside the V8 Vantage, DB9 and a successor to today's Vanquish to provide the rejuvenated British sportscar maker with arguably its strongest model range ever.

The basis for the new front-engined sedan will be a modular aluminium structure similar to that employed on other Aston Martin models, with production set to take place at the company's Gaydon facility in England. Bez indicated the luxuriously equipped Rapide will sit at the very top of the Aston Martin stable, with production likely to range from 300 to 500 cars per year. Power for Aston Martin's new flagship is expected to come from a reworked version of the DB9's 5.9-liter V12 engine producing up to 500 hp.

Pics! So so gorgeous.

Looks like a 4-door DB9.

that's because it is....

 

[GagHalfrunt]

Too close to call between the Porsche and the Aston-Martin, both are drop dead gorgeous. The Maserati is not even in the same league.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Originally posted by: GagHalfrunt
Too close to call between the Porsche and the Aston-Martin, both are drop dead gorgeous. The Maserati is not even in the same league.

Isn't the Maserati only $90K, the Aston Martin is definitely in another league and is hanging out with the Bentley GT 4Dr with it's $180K+ price tag.

I would expect the Porsche to come in around $70K - $90K, same as a Carerra.

 

[swtethan]

i'd buy it

 

[Baked]

Sex machine. Instead the usual 1 hot chick w/ the coupes, you can now have an orgy w/ 3+ hot chicks. What's not to like?

 

[Accipiter22]

http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a...20060523/FREE/60523002/1024/LATESTNEWS


OMFG sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo beautiful

 

[imthebadguy]

ohhhh man seX on wheelz

 

[GagHalfrunt]

Originally posted by: Fmr12B

Originally posted by: GagHalfrunt
Too close to call between the Porsche and the Aston-Martin, both are drop dead gorgeous. The Maserati is not even in the same league.

Isn't the Maserati only $90K, the Aston Martin is definitely in another league and is hanging out with the Bentley GT 4Dr with it's $180K+ price tag.

What, 90k isn't enough to buy decent looking coachwork?

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Originally posted by: GagHalfrunt

Originally posted by: Fmr12B

Originally posted by: GagHalfrunt
Too close to call between the Porsche and the Aston-Martin, both are drop dead gorgeous. The Maserati is not even in the same league.

Isn't the Maserati only $90K, the Aston Martin is definitely in another league and is hanging out with the Bentley GT 4Dr with it's $180K+ price tag.

What, 90k isn't enough to buy decent looking coachwork?

Kinda hard to Compare a $90K saloon that competes in the S-Class and 7-series arena with a $180K saloon, don't ya think?

 

[Nebor]

Originally posted by: GagHalfrunt

Originally posted by: Fmr12B

Originally posted by: GagHalfrunt
Too close to call between the Porsche and the Aston-Martin, both are drop dead gorgeous. The Maserati is not even in the same league.

Isn't the Maserati only $90K, the Aston Martin is definitely in another league and is hanging out with the Bentley GT 4Dr with it's $180K+ price tag.

What, 90k isn't enough to buy decent looking coachwork?

The Quattroporte is very cool and impressive in person. Compared to a similarly priced 7-series, S-class or A8, it just blows them away in visual appeal. There's a silver one and a black one in Colleyville that I see all the time. They look and sound amazing.

 

[JDrake]

very nice

 

[Liviathan]

Originally posted by: KnightBreed

Originally posted by: Liviathan
I wonder what Ford platform this will be.

Reading is fundamental. From the very first post:

The basis for the new front-engined sedan will be a modular aluminium structure similar to that employed on other Aston Martin models, with production set to take place at the company's Gaydon facility in England. <snip>

I saw that, and was being sarcastic. Much like the Jaguar X-type is built in England but it shares a platform with the Lincoln LS.

 

[Nebor]

Originally posted by: Liviathan

Originally posted by: KnightBreed

Originally posted by: Liviathan
I wonder what Ford platform this will be.

Reading is fundamental. From the very first post:

The basis for the new front-engined sedan will be a modular aluminium structure similar to that employed on other Aston Martin models, with production set to take place at the company's Gaydon facility in England. <snip>

I saw that, and was being sarcastic. Much like the Jaguar X-type is built in England but it shares a platform with the Lincoln LS.

So you weren't being sarcastic.

Meh, I'm labeling you OWNED either way.