Aston Martin to debut Rapide concept at NAIAS

bihus · January 4th, 2006, 2:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Classic Driver

http://www.classicdriver.com/upload/images/_de/3283/img01.jpg

Aston Martin will be revealing a four-door saloon concept at Detroit next week utilising the flexible VH platform of the DB9 and V8 Vantage. The car will have a longer wheelbase and slightly increased weight, so the 6.0 litre V12 will be upgraded to produce more power to suit, as will the suspension, steering and brakes.

The increase in length is by 30 cms (25 cms within the wheelbase), thus accommodating the extra doors and ‘proper’ rear seats compared to the DB9. Height has been increased by 4 cms, and the car’s a little wider at the rear compared to its 2 + 2 cousin. The result is a sporting saloon with the current model range’s DNA, yet hinting at Astons of old with their greater interior and luggage space in comparison with cars from other equivalent marques such as Ferrari and Porsche. The closest comparison would be Maserati’s Quattroporte, but the Rapide is likely to be nearer in price to the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti if - and when - it sees production in a few years time.

A practical feature of the car carried over from the V8 Vantage (and also seen as a ground-breaking feature of the DB2/4 in the ‘50s) is the hatchback boot that should allow a party of four to carry enough luggage for a long weekend away. The name ‘Rapide’ is one formerly used by Lagonda, the sister company bought by David Brown at the same time as Aston Martin.

http://www.classicdriver.com/upload/images/_de/3283/img02.jpg

The car is the work of the company’s Design Director Marek Reichman, in conjunction with CEO Dr Ulrich Bez, and started as a series of sketches in the summer of 2005, with the final model completed just before Christmas.

The company has announced no plans to build the Rapide, and will be giving more details at its official launch in Detroit on Monday, 9th January 2006.

Classic Driver will carry full details of this exciting project as soon as they are published.

Text: Classic Driver
Photos: Aston Martin - STRICTLY COPYRIGHT

http://www.classicdriver.com/uk/maga...0.asp?id=12787

Quote:

Originally Posted by Autoblog

http://www.autoblog.com/media/2006/1/astonmartinlagonda.jpg

No, that's the original Rapide above, an early sixties four-door Lagonda saloon based on the Aston Martin DB4 sports car. The new Rapide, shown below, will be a V12 saloon based on the platform used for the DB9 and Vantage sports cars, according to Autocar.

http://www.autoblog.com/media/2006/1/AMRapideconcept.jpg

The wheelbase is stretched nearly 10 inches over the DB9, and the Rapide will be about 12 inches longer overall.

If the Vantage targets the latest incarnation of Porsche's 911, then the Rapide would be aimed squarely at Porsche's planned Panamera, although the Rapide could see production as early as 2008, well before the Porsche is scheduled to appear.

http://www.autoblog.com/2006/01/03/a...cept-at-naias/

http://www.autocar.co.uk/News_Article.asp?NA_ID=218027

BlaRo · January 4th, 2006, 3:14 AM

It's...unfathomably gorgeous.

Yet it still leaves me cold. I have no idea why; it looks like they shoved a Flying Spur in a DB9 merely for the purpose of annoying Porsche and not actually selling them. (That is, if they actually build it, which they probably will.)

Still. As long as they don't build a SUV/crossover/"sport van" thing...

logo · January 4th, 2006, 6:04 AM

^ feel the same way, but the looks are made for a coupe yet it looks good in the pics, they should've went 4 seats but 2 doors... no complaints though love it..

Kebab gud · January 4th, 2006, 3:25 PM

if aston martin ever builds a SUV i will personaly go to japan and talk the boss of Money.inc (toyota= into buying AM from ford
and then sack the people on top at AM images/smilies/tongue.gif

Buba · January 4th, 2006, 3:34 PM

Do we really need a third thread about that? images/smilies/bangin.gif

Labcoatguy · January 4th, 2006, 3:53 PM

^^agreed on something not quite looking right... it might be the fact that the trunk/boot looks too short compared to that long hood/bonnet. Maybe a second look at the Quattroporte or the Bugatti EB112 concept from the early 90s would be of help to these designers; they managed to pull off the short backed 4-door look better than this. And the front end needs to be tucked in, again like the Italians. It's not like the Quattroporte had the front of a Gransport shoved onto it, and it's all the better for that.

bihus · January 4th, 2006, 6:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buba

Do we really need a third thread about that? images/smilies/bangin.gif

Check what thread was first posted...

AML · January 4th, 2006, 10:59 PM

I've not really pleased on this car, i know it's an Aston Martin so in many ways it'll be fabulous but i really don't like the fact that they just streached a DB9 and didn't changed the looks at all.
What I want is a whole new designed car not a converted DB9.
I don't want to sound like i got a beef about this car because I would take this rother than taking a Quattroporte witch in fact i love, why?, gearbox, it'll gonna have just the same ZF gearbox as the DB9.

Buba · January 4th, 2006, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bihus

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buba

Do we really need a third thread about that? images/smilies/bangin.gif

Check what thread was first posted...

Yours was moved and renamed? I thought you opened the third one...

bihus · January 5th, 2006, 1:17 AM

Nah, I posted mine first.

jayhawk · January 5th, 2006, 1:19 AM

Its quite handsome. Good rival for the 7 series and Quatraporte!

Buba · January 5th, 2006, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bihus

Nah, I posted mine first.

I know you posted 2 minutes earlier, but I thought it was named differntly, when I fist saw it.
Therefore: Do we need 3 threads for that...

bihus · January 5th, 2006, 11:40 PM

Ok. But it has this title since the beginning. 8)

oliB · January 5th, 2006, 11:42 PM

Could somebody just merge the damn threads please?? images/smilies/tongue.gif

Buba · January 6th, 2006, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bihus

Ok. But it has this title since the beginning. 8)

Crap

bihus · January 6th, 2006, 1:45 AM

Tomo Motorsport · January 7th, 2006, 7:25 AM

Another image.

http://www.fast-autos.net/astonmartin/rapide.jpg

MarcoM · January 9th, 2006, 7:21 PM

It's a beauty but... doesn't seem to get that special carisma...
Makes me remind of the Audi A4... images/smilies/unsure.gif

klutch · January 10th, 2006, 12:47 AM

The all-new Aston Martin CLS.....

January 4th, 2006, 3:14 AM	#2
BlaRo Lady GaGa's #1 Fan Joined: Aug 18th, 2005 Last Online: 12:35 AM Location: Assachusetts Age: 21 Posts: 11,259 Car: 1997 Yamaha Seca II, 1976 Honda CB550F Rep Power: 372	It's...unfathomably gorgeous. Yet it still leaves me cold. I have no idea why; it looks like they shoved a Flying Spur in a DB9 merely for the purpose of annoying Porsche and not actually selling them. (That is, if they actually build it, which they probably will.) Still. As long as they don't build a SUV/crossover/"sport van" thing... __________________ "It is impossible to describe this kind of performance to the uninitiated. Telling a traffic officer or a safety crusader like Ralph Nader that 100 mph can be safe is like reading the Constitution to a Maoist; it is a strange and hostile concept." -Brock Yates. The body was accidentally unearthed from a shallow grave by construction workers. Because of Parkinson's.

January 4th, 2006, 6:04 AM	#3
logo Joined: Jul 18th, 2004 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Canada-Ottawa Posts: 1,703 Rep Power: 23	^ feel the same way, but the looks are made for a coupe yet it looks good in the pics, they should've went 4 seats but 2 doors... no complaints though love it.. __________________ Adrenaline. Always Hungry, 1 n33d foods bebe!

January 4th, 2006, 3:25 PM	#4
Kebab gud Joined: Apr 2nd, 2005 Last Online: June 29th, 2008 Location: somewhere in yupe Posts: 1,511 Rep Power: 0	if aston martin ever builds a SUV i will personaly go to japan and talk the boss of Money.inc (toyota= into buying AM from ford and then sack the people on top at AM __________________ The Kabab Hut: http://the-kebab.blogspot.com/ (working on a better layout)

January 4th, 2006, 3:34 PM	#5
Buba Wants Rick Astley's Babies Joined: Nov 12th, 2004 Last Online: 11:34 AM Location: Regensburg, Bavaria Age: 28 Posts: 6,384 Car: Golf V GTi DSG LFS Status: Rep Power: 51	Do we really need a third thread about that? __________________ [18:11] MXM: it means buba is better than you now [18:12] sam-l: In what way? [18:12] Slycer: longer penis

January 4th, 2006, 10:59 PM	#8
AML aka Aston Martin Lagonda Joined: May 9th, 2005 Last Online: November 16th, 2009 Location: Southern Poland Posts: 508 Car: Alfa Romeo GTV6 2.5 Rep Power: 21	I've not really pleased on this car, i know it's an Aston Martin so in many ways it'll be fabulous but i really don't like the fact that they just streached a DB9 and didn't changed the looks at all. What I want is a whole new designed car not a converted DB9. I don't want to sound like i got a beef about this car because I would take this rother than taking a Quattroporte witch in fact i love, why?, gearbox, it'll gonna have just the same ZF gearbox as the DB9. __________________ My english isn't perfect so I may not be able to fully express my self in some situations, and forgive me if I'll screw up some words in my signatures.

January 4th, 2006, 3:53 PM	#6
Labcoatguy Joined: Mar 27th, 2005 Last Online: 8:15 AM Location: Boston, MA Age: 26 Posts: 4,428 Car: A Jaaaaaaaag. Rep Power: 236	^^agreed on something not quite looking right... it might be the fact that the trunk/boot looks too short compared to that long hood/bonnet. Maybe a second look at the Quattroporte or the Bugatti EB112 concept from the early 90s would be of help to these designers; they managed to pull off the short backed 4-door look better than this. And the front end needs to be tucked in, again like the Italians. It's not like the Quattroporte had the front of a Gransport shoved onto it, and it's all the better for that.

January 5th, 2006, 1:17 AM	#10
bihus Joined: Dec 7th, 2003 Last Online: December 18th, 2008 Location: Portugal Posts: 4,618 Car: BMW 330Cd LFS Status: Rep Power: 29	Nah, I posted mine first.

January 5th, 2006, 1:19 AM	#11
jayhawk Cigar Smoking Man Joined: Dec 11th, 2005 Last Online: 2:19 AM Location: Aurora, IL. Age: 34 Posts: 6,475 Car: 07 Subaru WRX, 09 VW Tiguan. Rep Power: 234	Its quite handsome. Good rival for the 7 series and Quatraporte! __________________ Instead of attending the circus, I visit Autoblog to see the clowns comment instead.

January 5th, 2006, 11:40 PM	#13
bihus Joined: Dec 7th, 2003 Last Online: December 18th, 2008 Location: Portugal Posts: 4,618 Car: BMW 330Cd LFS Status: Rep Power: 29	Ok. But it has this title since the beginning. 8)

January 5th, 2006, 11:42 PM	#14
oliB Joined: Jan 14th, 2004 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Germany Posts: 1,391 Rep Power: 25	Could somebody just merge the damn threads please?? __________________

January 6th, 2006, 1:45 AM	#16
bihus Joined: Dec 7th, 2003 Last Online: December 18th, 2008 Location: Portugal Posts: 4,618 Car: BMW 330Cd LFS Status: Rep Power: 29

January 7th, 2006, 7:25 AM	#17
Tomo Motorsport Joined: Mar 28th, 2005 Last Online: January 3rd, 2007 Location: Tacoma, WA, USA Posts: 297 Rep Power: 0	Another image. __________________ "The best way to get a law repealed is to enforce it strictly." - Abe Lincoln Ignition Online Magazine

January 9th, 2006, 7:21 PM	#18
MarcoM Joined: Nov 3rd, 2005 Last Online: November 10th, 2008 Location: Portugal Posts: 93 Rep Power: 0	It's a beauty but... doesn't seem to get that special carisma... Makes me remind of the Audi A4...

January 10th, 2006, 12:47 AM	#19
klutch Courteous urinator Joined: Jan 6th, 2006 Last Online: November 16th, 2009 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 1,879 Car: Whatever's in the press fleet. Rep Power: 45	The all-new Aston Martin CLS.....

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