The long awaited four-door Aston Martin Rapide has been spotted, almost completely undisguised, doing laps of the Nurburgring. Previous prototypes were last spotted on the frozen lakes of Sweden for winter testing, and somewhere in between its journey from Sweden to Germany the Rapide was given a full-length glass roof. While the rear lights in the spy shots are similar to the plain red ones found on the DB9, it is uncertain whether the production version will share the same clear taillights of the original concept version from 2006's Detroit Auto Show.
Other than this, the testing model remains faithful to the stunning concept and it looks like it’s shaping up to be one of the best looking four-doors on the planet. Porsche's upcoming Panamera and the Mercedes CLS will have a tough time competing with the new Aston, which is expected to develop upwards of 500hp in some guises. A less powerful V8 model is expected to debut after the launch of the introductory V12 range-topper.
Unfortunately for purists, the Rapide will not be built at Aston'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.
Production is expected to start in 2009 for the Rapide, giving it ample time to get into the market against the upcoming Panamera, although rivals like the CLS and Maserati Quattroporte already have a big head start over the new four-door Porsche and Aston.
In the video of the prototype you'll see some close-up shots of the car as it enters and exits a trackside testing facility as well as some high speed runs around the popular circuit. We also for the first time can hear the rumble of the V12 mill at full tilt as the svelte sedan barrels past the camera’s microphone.
Aston Martin Rapide prototype (August 2008)
Aston Martin Rapide prototype with glass roof
Reader Comments
Wed Apr 2 2008 10:33 AM
Gus says
It looks great in pictures, I'll have to wait and see what it looks like in person.
I love the glass roof idea...
Wed Apr 2 2008 10:51 AM
van der wath says
it looks great.....
Wed Apr 2 2008 5:17 PM
ink Master says
definitely looking forward to the seeing in person
Mon Apr 14 2008 6:30 PM
Wizards Lore says
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
Tue Apr 22 2008 10:35 PM
MyWheelsOnWalls.com says
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!!
Tue Apr 22 2008 11:06 PM
James says
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.
Wed Apr 23 2008 12:17 AM
MyWheelsOnWalls.com says
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.
Wed Apr 23 2008 12:47 AM
MyWheelsOnWalls.com says
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.
Wed Apr 23 2008 1:39 AM
autoque says
Four door Aston Martin. Now James Bond can have a four-some.
Wed Apr 23 2008 3:40 AM
DaveDav says
beautiful car but if BMW brought out the CS that would be the bestlooking saloon/coupe on the market
Wed Apr 23 2008 8:07 AM
Alan says
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
Wed Apr 30 2008 12:11 AM
Wizards Lore says
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
Tue Aug 19 2008 8:15 AM
CarlD says
Competitor the the Porsche Panamerica 4dr?
Tue Aug 19 2008 8:29 AM
Edward says
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!!!
Tue Aug 19 2008 10:17 AM
Gus says
Still love it.
Tue Aug 19 2008 11:14 AM
Chris says
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.
Tue Aug 19 2008 1:31 PM
burke says
Oh God I love that sound.... They should reward that too ;)
Tue Aug 19 2008 1:54 PM
nathan monroe says
I think the Aston design is stunning. The car has a nice balance of aggression and sex apeal. Another great job for AM.
Tue Aug 19 2008 2:17 PM
SteveSteve says
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
Wed Sep 3 2008 11:05 AM
lexlife says
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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