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Spy shots: Undisguised Aston Martin Rapide

 
38 57,520 views Apr 3, 2009
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Despite looking almost complete, we’ll still have to wait until September’s Frankfurt Motor Show to see the final version

Despite looking almost complete, we’ll still have to wait until September’s Frankfurt Motor Show to see the final version

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The long awaited four-door Aston Martin Rapide has been spotted, completely undisguised, undergoing testing in Northern Europe. Previous prototypes were last spotted near the carmaker's headquarters, and since then Aston Martin has released two official images of the car - albeit computer generated renderings of it.

Under the hood will be a slightly more powerful version of the DB9's 6.0L V12. This will be mated to a six-speed ZF automatic transmission with Aston Martin’s new Touchtronic control. Final output should rest somewhere around the 480hp (358kW) so as not to step on the toes of the 510hp (380kW) DBS flagship, reports Automotive News.

Performance won’t be as spectacular as the Aston Martin coupe models but expect to see 0-60mph times of less than five seconds and a top speed of about 180mph. The vehicle’s final kerb weight is expected to be somewhere around 4,277 pounds, about 277 pounds more than the DB9 coupe on which it is based. The Rapide’s wheelbase also stretches about 10in more than the DB9, while its height is only about 2.5in taller.


Inside, the Rapide will be almost identical to the stunning two-door but will differ thanks to more generous rear seats, headrest mounted LCD monitors, and a panoramic glass sunroof. Unfortunately for purists, the Rapide will not be built at Aston Martin's traditional Gaydon plant in England - production of the four-door has been contracted to Magna Steyr who will build the vehicle at its Austrian plant.

Aston Martin hasn’t revealed which auto show it will use to debut the new Rapide but the most likely option will be September’s Frankfurt event. Pricing for the car hasn’t been announced either but expect it to slot somewhere between the DB9 and DBS at around $200,000.

2010 Aston Martin Rapide spy shots
Aston Martin Rapide Concept 2007
2010 Aston Martin Rapide Official Pictures

2010 Aston Martin Rapide spied at Nurburgring


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Comments (38)

  1. Gus Posted: 4/2/2008 10:33am PDT

    It looks great in pictures, I'll have to wait and see what it looks like in person.
    I love the glass roof idea...
     
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  2. van der wath Posted: 4/2/2008 10:51am PDT

    it looks great.....
     
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  3. ink Master Posted: 4/2/2008 5:17pm PDT

    definitely looking forward to the seeing in person
     
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  4. Wizards Lore Posted: 4/14/2008 6:30pm PDT

    P.O.S......looks terrible. the only car that is actually looking any good at the moment is the new BMW, and im a Porsche man. I wish they would all go that little bit more agressive or different in their design as opposed to the safety first attitude with the Rapide and the Panamera
     
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  5. MyWheelsOnWalls.com Posted: 4/22/2008 10:35pm PDT

    Yawn!!! When are they going to build something original? I'll say it again, Aston please put away the DB7 Lego set you bought from Ford and come up with something on your own!!
     
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  6. James Posted: 4/22/2008 11:06pm PDT

    As far as I know, the DB7 was based on the XJS from Jaguar, which I understand is hard to fathom for a man who makes postcards for a living.
     
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  7. MyWheelsOnWalls.com Posted: 4/23/2008 12:17am PDT

    Jimmie boy you are correct! But if you think the DB9 looks nothing like a DB7 then good for you. But quite frankly in terms of bits used and how those bits look when put together there really is not much in the realm of original thought.

    Also if you can fit an 13x18 print in a letter box and mail it as a post card your a pure genius.
     
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  8. MyWheelsOnWalls.com Posted: 4/23/2008 12:47am PDT

    James, something for you to digest. http://www.austin-rover.co.uk/index.htm?xj42devf.htm follow the link and upon reading you will see the beginnings of a now AM lego set. You will also see the name Keith Helfet a stunning designer (check out his site to) who understands originality where as Ian Callum is probably the worlds most famous grill designer and nothing more.

    Not mentioned is that the Turbo charged V12 with all wheel drive was tested in an XJS as the mule. It did things nigh impossible to a standard XJS I still have fond memories of my old man pushing it through its paces. This of course was back in the day before cameras and the school tax.

    As for the tone in your previous post I can only assume your an AM employee. Maybe you should turn that anger into passion and come up with something original.

    The point I was making was that the DB7 came from the XJS thus setting the tone to build new cars from what you have already got rather than pushing the limits and come up with something completely different.
     
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  9. autoque Posted: 4/23/2008 1:39am PDT

    Four door Aston Martin. Now James Bond can have a four-some.
     
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  10. DaveDav Posted: 4/23/2008 3:40am PDT

    beautiful car but if BMW brought out the CS that would be the bestlooking saloon/coupe on the market
     
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  11. Alan Posted: 4/23/2008 8:07am PDT

    YAWN! Aston desperately needs a new design direction. As many has said, AM looked pretty much all the same since DB7. Another car to mention is of course Jaguar XK, which is pretty much another derivative of DB7 design
     
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  12. Wizards Lore Posted: 4/30/2008 12:11am PDT

    go back to the start..and do a version of the DB5, one of the only cars that is in every single car enthusiasts top 10....that was classic Aston
     
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  13. CarlD Posted: 8/19/2008 8:15am PDT

    Competitor the the Porsche Panamerica 4dr?
     
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  14. Edward Posted: 8/19/2008 8:29am PDT

    Mechanically, this AM is quite all right. But, when is there going to be a redesigning of the marque? Simple designs age fast, so as to avoid that problem, you need a good designer. Ian Callum is not one of those, Sorry Ian!!!
     
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  15. Gus Posted: 8/19/2008 10:17am PDT

    Still love it.
     
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  16. Chris Posted: 8/19/2008 11:14am PDT

    edward, you realize you're commenting negatively on what is universally accepted as the most beautiful auto brand today... right? I think you've got it entirely backwards.. it's the simple designs that stay fresh forever.. it's the designs that implement "fad" type styles that get dated the quickest. take a look at any car from the 50's and tell me that you'll ever see fins on a car ever again... mean while, porsche has been making the 911 for 40 years... with minor updates. the golf? same thing. simple designs.
     
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  17. burke Posted: 8/19/2008 1:31pm PDT

    Oh God I love that sound.... They should reward that too ;)
     
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  18. nathan monroe Posted: 8/19/2008 1:54pm PDT

    I think the Aston design is stunning. The car has a nice balance of aggression and sex apeal. Another great job for AM.
     
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  19. SteveSteve Posted: 8/19/2008 2:17pm PDT

    You're all nuts! So what it's an extended DB9 and the Vantage is a shorter DB9. The DB9 is a great looking car, starting to age a little bit.

    BTW anyone interested in buying a 2006 56plate DB9 Volante automatic in black, cream leather, fully loaded, done 15,000 miles.

    £2,000 deposit...£799 a month over 3 years
     
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  20. lexlife Posted: 9/3/2008 11:05am PDT

    Coming soon | Aston Martin Lagonda Marque Revival
    http://luxvelocity.typepad.com/luxvelocity/2008/09/aston-martin-lo.html

    I remember see the Lagonda sedan as a kid and thinking how wonderfully futuristic
    it looked. Apparently new designs and a new "Higher" level marque are poised to be
    launched.
     
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  21. ma_NoNameDenton avatar NoNameDenton Posted: 12/17/2008 5:06pm PST

    I would so buy this car if I had the money, love the design
     
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  22. ma_www.mywheelsonwalls.com avatar www.mywheelsonwalls.com Posted: 12/17/2008 5:08pm PST

    Funny how time has moved on as there is whole group of other Aston purists who wish Astons were still built at Newport Pagnell, but I digress....
     
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  23. ma_gus avatar Gus Chyba Posted: 12/17/2008 5:17pm PST

    Now with a real picture (Dec 17) it really looks great. Of course it will be something of a compromise, not as roomy or comfy as an S-class, not as sporty as a 2 door Aston, but very, very cool for someone who needs to have a proper 4 seat car, but still wants the looks and sportiness of an Aston.

    Me, if I had the money required for this car, would simply buy a nice 4 door car like an S-class (or even a lux SUV), and then a DB9 convertible or something. That is why I have an Expedition and a Mustang GT convertible. Niether can possibly provide the function of the other...
     
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  24. ma_www.mywheelsonwalls.com avatar www.mywheelsonwalls.com Posted: 12/17/2008 10:49pm PST

    I'd say you have a point there Gus.

    Although I fail to see the beauty in this abortion, its badge engineering at its finest. Why cant they have the sedan as a stand alone model with its own unique style? The door mirrors are completely out of proportion with the body,they're no different that Dolly Partons tits and the door handles look like chads on a Florida voting card.

    What a mess!!!!
     
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  25. ma_NoNameDenton avatar NoNameDenton Posted: 1/21/2009 3:24pm PST

    This is a gorgeous care, if you do not see the beauty, maybe you need glasses
     
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  26. ma_www.mywheelsonwalls.com avatar www.mywheelsonwalls.com Posted: 1/21/2009 3:32pm PST

    Now I would argue that if you see beauty in this then you too would need glasses!! Then again, the saying does go -There's no accounting for taste!
     
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  27. ma_azlan avatar azlan Posted: 1/21/2009 4:13pm PST

    this car craps all over any other four door out there! how could you not see beauty in it. its not an absolute dream car because i think lately you cant really find absolute beauty in a four door car. but this is better than the lambo 4door, maserati, that crap ferrari that hada go, any s-class or 7 series.
    the only thing that compares is the jag xf but that has ugly front lights and the only reason ppl love it soo much is because it looks like a 4 door aston.
    however im not sure with the sleek design that the back seats will have enough room for executives and such people who will be buying them.. i hope this is a drivers car because i think thats the only place people should be sitting in it. if it handles and goes like a db9 then this is perfect for a rich guy with 2 kids.
     
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  28. ma_www.mywheelsonwalls.com avatar www.mywheelsonwalls.com Posted: 1/21/2009 7:42pm PST

    Azlan- Like I said before "There's no accounting for taste" . Ultimately the proportions of this car just do not work for me, those door mirros are awful and way to big. In the end the best styled four door coupe on the market today is the Merc CLS. Not only was it the first but quite frankly it hit the proportion nail squarely on the head!!!!
     
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  29. ma_azlan avatar azlan Posted: 1/21/2009 10:37pm PST

    i didnt say this car was perfect and no one will notice door mirrors unless the mirrors are ten foot long. but i understand its your taste so i respect that, and i agree that the cls is an amazing looking car but put it on standard/smaller wheels it looks like its melting, but with the big wheels i agree, that car is great and it is the first and i could agree thats better looking.
    the only criticism i have with the looks of the rapide is that because they kept the same front and back of the db9 that the middle looks like its been stretched on photoshop. but i still think its better looking than any other 4 door saloon except maybe the cls on big wheels, but this aston wont be compared to the cls in the market.
     
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  30. ma_danDAN avatar danDAN Posted: 1/22/2009 10:53am PST

    just to stir up the argument the BMW CS is better looking than this, the CLS, the Panamera etc. It is an aggressive sporty coupé saloon rather than a stretched out coup (Rapide and Panamera) and looks more up market and proportionate than the CLS
     
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  31. ma_J-Kwon avatar J-Kwon Posted: 1/22/2009 2:03pm PST

    My first thought about the idea of a 4 door Aston was skeptical. However these new photos blow my mind. It looks ASTON-ishing (lame =P) but it does look great. Long too.
     
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  32. ma_azlan avatar azlan Posted: 1/22/2009 4:55pm PST

    haha the bmw cs does shake it up abit its kinda ugly but in a very cool way =], i agree that is a very stern contender lol. but i wouldn't get one over the aston just because i don't really like bmw's atm.
     
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  33. ma_danDAN avatar danDAN Posted: 2/26/2009 7:14am PST

    All BMWs are ugly in a v.cool way
     
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  34. ma_azlan avatar azlan Posted: 4/3/2009 3:40pm PDT

    i wish lambo brought there 4 door out.... it was the only one purpose designed... even tho the aston looks more beautiful, the lambo just looks more right... if that makes sense
     
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  35. ma_gazzed avatar gazzed Posted: 4/3/2009 5:45pm PDT

    Aston could have used the Lagonda name as a good and exotic base to build a Panamera, Estoque ( pity it's not going ahead ) beater but they did'nt...
     
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  36. ma_NaBUru38 avatar NaBUru38 Posted: 4/3/2009 6:06pm PDT

    The rear side doors and the deck lid (hatch?) look a little too small, I agree. But Bond must drive one of these in 2011 - be it silver, grey or dark green.
     
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  37. ma_NoNameDenton avatar NoNameDenton Posted: 4/3/2009 8:31pm PDT

    Way better then the Panamera
     
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  38. Aston Rapide fan Posted: 10/1/2009 8:01pm PDT

    This is one nice aston martin to keep an eye out on. This car will be the nicest exotic sedan on the planet, I cant wait to see one on the road
     
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