2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK Class: First Drive

Magna Steyr to build Aston Martin Rapide

 
10 1,970 views Mar 4, 2008

aston martin rapide motorauthority 001

Magna Steyr to build Aston Martin Rapide

Magna Steyr to build Aston Martin Rapide

Enlarge Photo
Aston Martin has used the backdrop of the Geneva Motor Show to announce a partnership with independent vehicle manufacturer Magna Steyr to build the upcoming four-door Rapide at a plant in Graz, Austria. The new model is expected to bow in around late 2009 and officials are hoping to sell up to 2000 cars annually.

The decision to outsource production of the Rapide to Magna Steyr was made because Aston’s current facility in Gaydon is already near capacity with close to 8,000 cars rolling out of the factory last year. According to Aston CEO Dr Ulrich Bez, Magna Steyr was picked because of its experience in building luxury cars for the likes of Mercedes-Benz and BMW. Some of its most popular models include the X3 SUV and E-Class 4MATIC. Officials will now work on establishing a dedicated production line for the new Rapide at the Austrian plant.

The Rapide was first rolled out as a concept at the Detroit Motor Show in 2006 and since that time the company has been investigating the best business solution for building the car. The original concept featured a 6.0L V12 engine with 480hp (358kW) on tap, but no details about the production version have been released yet.
Aston Martin Rapide Concept 2007

HI-RES GALLERY: aston martin rapide motorauthority 001




Posted in:
 
Contribute
Send us a tip Comment Contact the editor
Follow Us

 

Have an opinion?Join the conversation!

  • Posting indicates you have read this site's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • Notify me when there are more comments
Comments (10)

  1. By HECTOR Posted: 3/4/2008 6:43am PST

    In terms of aesthetics this car will run circles around the Panamera. It even has a better name. What the hell is a Panamera anyway? Porsche was too lazy to write the whole thing Panamericana?!
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  2. By chris Posted: 3/4/2008 8:26am PST

    saying an aston will look better than a porsche is like saying an alfa-romeo will look nice than a volkswagen. seriously, can you think of any brand that consistently puts out sexier cars than aston? and lets not consider coach builders and one-offs.

    I think you could almost take a bat to an aston and it would still look pretty.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  3. By germandude Posted: 3/4/2008 8:31am PST

    OMG that chess board is just too much
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  4. By Gus Posted: 3/4/2008 11:46am PST

    Yeah, this is the first coupe-based 4-door I have ever liked.
    The Porsche looks pretty cool too, but this is better.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  5. By cj Posted: 3/4/2008 12:02pm PST

    The Porsche is ugly, this and the the BMW CS will wipe the floor with the rest of the saloon/coupes, not sure the new CLS will even touch them.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  6. By mlevere1992 Posted: 3/4/2008 12:30pm PST

    I will take either this car of the BMW CS. They are both damn sexy.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  7. By Edward Posted: 3/6/2008 10:41pm PST

    That wine must be oh so good with blue cheese and crackers on a summer day.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  8. By Sir Yappie Posted: 3/12/2008 6:54pm PDT

    would rather save my money and get a coupe, and use the change to get an urban 4x4 that fits 5/7.
    I dont like this car it looks bolted on, and it pains me to say it as a Porsche nut, i hate the Panamera...it looks like a jolly fat kid......
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  9. By Bob Posted: 3/14/2008 9:29am PDT

    I heard that the Austria company that makes some BMW's and Merc's have some quality issue's. I hope that Aston don't contract them.

    As for the looks I think the BMW CS Concept and the Rapide look like beasts.Way bettter then the Porsche.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  10. By Sir Yappie Posted: 3/19/2008 7:06pm PDT

    CS kicks the Aston and the porsches butt

    time for my stuttgart heroes to go back tot the drawing board
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

 

Have an opinion?Join the conversation!

Connect with Facebook

Motor Authority. Now with your friends.

Discover stories your friends read.
Share stories more easily.
You control what you share.
Learn more

Research New Cars

Go!


More from High Gear Media

 
 
MotorAuthority
  • Follow Us
  • Twiiter
  • Facebook
 
 
© 2011 MotorAuthority. All Rights Reserved. MotorAuthority is published by High Gear Media. Stock photography by Homestar, LLC. Send us feedback.