Author Topic: Aston Martin Rapide Caught Undisguised (Read 1318 times)

danidmas · « **on:** 18-Jan-2008, 00:47:20 »

Quote

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.

http://www.worldcarfans.com/9080117.001/aston-martin-rapide-caught-undisguised

Don't really know what to think about this car... is like when you see a Ferrari Modena with 2 extra doors that some smart guy has decided to install himself... this is no different, a DB9 with 2 extra-doors... I would have prefered a whole new car personally

David · « **Reply #1 on:** 18-Jan-2008, 01:26:42 »

Hm, looks strange but i really like it

DMF · « **Reply #2 on:** 18-Jan-2008, 03:29:30 »

Haha.. they actually tried to hide the rear doors.

Reminds me of that stretched Ferrari that was posted last year

yg60m · « **Reply #3 on:** 18-Jan-2008, 04:06:18 »

I like it but indeed, the same design for all the game is quite boring and shows some lack of risk.
It looks like they are afraid to make something different of what worked up to now ...

TT · « **Reply #4 on:** 18-Jan-2008, 06:50:44 »

I would have preferred Aston to go radical and design a whole new car. Ok, I understand a manufacturer has to have its own identity, but as alwady said, this is a stretched DB9 basically. It's not that it isn't a nice and sleek looking car, but Aston has the skills to draw some amazing cars and this is a missed opportunity, as if they were just lazy

danidmas · « **Reply #5 on:** 18-Jan-2008, 11:36:49 »

Quote from: TT on 18-Jan-2008, 06:50:44

I would have preferred Aston to go radical and design a whole new car. Ok, I understand a manufacturer has to have its own identity, but as alwady said, this is a stretched DB9 basically. It's not that it isn't a nice and sleek looking car, but Aston has the skills to draw some amazing cars and this is a missed opportunity, as if they were just lazy

Don't hide your preferences Matteo, we all know that you'd love to see a DB9-based Lagonda mk2

TT · « **Reply #6 on:** 18-Jan-2008, 11:42:26 »

Well, the day I'm gonna need a roomy AM, it would be for sure a Lagonda, no matter what Aston will throw at us now

spanky · « **Reply #7 on:** 18-Jan-2008, 12:01:14 »

Front quarter photo it looks quite nice... rear quarter photo, hmmmm... I agree with guys... maybe they coulda done something diff and still kept the AM look they have going on... Im undecided

gucom · « **Reply #8 on:** 18-Jan-2008, 12:11:07 »

Quote from: spanky on 18-Jan-2008, 12:01:14

Front quarter photo it looks quite nice... rear quarter photo, hmmmm... I agree with guys... maybe they coulda done something diff and still kept the AM look they have going on... Im undecided

to me it's the other way round, rear quarter looks cool, front quarter... well the part where the roof becomes the tail looks awkward to me... might be the lighting though...

But yes they'll need to change the design a bit if they want to stay modern, this 1 theme they've had for every new car since the Vanquish is just gonna be boring at some point...

FR1908 · « **Reply #9 on:** 19-Jan-2008, 23:30:32 »

Meh they fucked up on the front.. too long too thin.. not really exciting. It has to be more sporty to make it sexy.. if you know what I mean.

The back looks ok.. would keep it that way

FleischmanN · « **Reply #10 on:** 19-Jan-2008, 23:54:54 »

It suffers the same way as the Bentley Continental Flying Spur, the two extra doors look like they have been forced into the design. The DB9 lines aren't suited for a executive saloon, the car looks crap. I'd love to see a modern day reincarnation of the Lagonda- something distinctive and not purelly lazy.

MartinR · « **Reply #11 on:** 20-Jan-2008, 18:14:34 »

Quote from: FleischmanN on 19-Jan-2008, 23:54:54

It suffers the same way as the Bentley Continental Flying Spur, the two extra doors look like they have been forced into the design. The DB9 lines aren't suited for a executive saloon, the car looks crap. I'd love to see a modern day reincarnation of the Lagonda- something distinctive and not purelly lazy.

Generally I agree with this comment, I think Aston could have designed something more from scratch.

However I do not agree with the Bentley example. I think the Flying Spur looks much better then the Continental. If anything it looks like the Conti GT just had 2 doors removed to make a coupe, though I know they released those cars the other way around.

everso · « **Reply #12 on:** 20-Jan-2008, 18:17:00 »

well, i'll tell you that i'm pretty sure that this car looks waaaay more spectacular in real life than it looks in the photo.

when i saw the concept at the detroit auto show a few years ago, i was blown away.....and this looks pretty much the same as the concept. looks good IMO.

danidmas · « **Reply #13 on:** 22-Jan-2008, 19:23:21 »

http://www.worldcarfans.com/9080122.010/aston-martin-rapide-spied-on-the-road

bmagni · « **Reply #14 on:** 22-Jan-2008, 23:46:12 »

I guess they're gonna change some final trims or details to make it look less DB9ish.

stikz · « **Reply #15 on:** 24-Jan-2008, 02:18:25 »

It looks hideous, completely wrecks the lines of the DB9.

mrmojo77 · « **Reply #16 on:** 25-Jan-2008, 10:54:21 »

Is that Citroen C5?

I think looks like a stretched DB9 and not very good. It's like if you stretch your cock, it looks awfully thin

yeckmohr · « **Reply #17 on:** 25-Jan-2008, 13:34:23 »

I think the Merc CLS looks better and is a bit cheaper then this one.

pzgren · « **Reply #18 on:** 25-Jan-2008, 15:50:06 »

it's very sad that the look is very similar to the DB9, something different would be much better... i hope the make some more changes before the final version is ready to sell

chest3r · « **Reply #19 on:** 01-Feb-2008, 00:34:28 »

Is it so dificult to make some changes to the design!?!?

I really can't understand this manufacturers. They built the DB9 that's looks great. Then the built the V8 Vantage wich is different car but looks pretty much the same. Then came the DBS wich looks like an sportier version of the DB9 but they said it was a completely new car. And now this ?!!? I wonder when they'll change the design of their cars a litle bit

It doesn't look bad, but I look at the pics and I can only see a longer DB9.