Porsche Panamera Battles Aston Martin Rapide at the Ring

[Homer_Bart]

Scheduled for an official presentation at the 2009 Geneva show, here are two all-new four-door coupés testing at the challenging Nürburgring. Both, the fourth range from Porsche, known as the Panamera, and the all-new Aston Martin Rapide, are developed to be strong competitors to the Mercedes CLS and the future Audi A7.

Though the Panamera takes over design elements from the 911 range, there will be significant differences, too: While the first has always been to keep its rear-mounted boxer engine, the newcomer will have a choice of three front-mounted motors, though set back to the centre of the car as much as possible. The entry-level unit will be Volkswagen’s 3.5-litre six-cylinder unit developing 300 bhp, while Porsche’s own drivetrain will be a direct-injection eight-cylinder petrol engine, available in naturally-aspirated guise (350 bhp) and with twin-turbo (560 bhp).

That should be enough to beat out the competition for a while: Mercedes’ CLS 63 AMG comes up with “only” 514 bhp. However, should Stuttgart make the CLS even stronger, Zuffenhausen would strike back with the Porsche GT’s 700-bhp ten-cylinder unit ...

The target for the Panamera is to be a true sportscar while at the same time it shall be a family-car for every-day use with four full seats, easy access to the rear and a luggage compartment of around 450 litres. When it hits the road in 2009, Porsche hopes to be able to sell 20 000 units annually – and to jump over the barrier of 100 000 sold cars per year.

Yet more exclusive will be the new four-door from England: Following the Rapide Concept shown at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit back in 2006, Aston Martin is now coming up with the real machine. Former owner Ford had put the project on hold when they decided to sell the biggest pack of shares. After selling this to the group lead by David Richards, one of the first decisions was to revive the project and start developing the production version Rapide. Together with the body, the DB9 will provide its platform and its V12-engine. The latter will be tuned to 480 bhp while it delivers 450 bhp in the DB9. The car is believed to be released in 2010.

Other images...













Looks like the RS6's flashier friends are coming soon!

[vikiradTG2007]

Both these cars are completely inappropriate and useless from every point of view (in my opinion...)

But seriously, the Panamera is ugly and the Rapide looks like a DB9 with a Vantage rear end and some rear doors drawn on.

[fbc]

This is one thing I love about the 'ring - competing prototypes sharing the track, love it.

That Panamera's still ugly as all hell, but the Rapide - gorgeous beast.

[Speedtouch]

^ Agree entirely. That Rapide is such a beautiful car. I love how they've put the front of a DB9 and the back of a V8.

[SL65]

Originally Posted by vikiradTG2007

Both these cars are completely inappropriate and useless from every point of view (in my opinion...)

Yup, completely useless, but I love 'em

I dunno about the Porsche though Have to wait until I see it in a press release or something. But that would be the sexiest Aston in the range IMO.

Oh and great to see the two of them on the track like that. Great stuff

[powah]

Originally Posted by vikiradTG2007

and the Rapide looks like a DB9 with a Vantage rear end and some rear doors drawn on.

So?

[Necx0]

Rapide looks completely gorgeous. The Panamera (this coming from Porsche's number one fan) looks absolutely atrocious.

[luvcars]

I can't wait to see what they really look like!

The Aston does look lush, and the Porsche is a bit....... erm ....... well lets not talk about that

Not sure if either could topple the Maserati Quattroporte from being my favorite along with the RS6

[Buktu]

I can see the point entirely. The added practicality, along with the (in Astons case) beautiful design of a sportscar.. And all of that power.. I'd buy one!

The Porsche i horrible. If that is actually how it's going to look.. How can they tell themslves that that look good? I have to believe that the final design will be a lot better than this. If not, they've completely lost their minds.

[Gman333-X-ferrari]

The Rapide is oddly disproportioned, and too long. It's ungainly and the Vantage rear doesn't suit it at all, IMHO.

And the Panamera is just a big case of:

[NooDle]

omg Panamera FTL! It's still ugly!

the Rapide is growing on me though...

any update on the times these things are doing around the Ring?

[pepitko]

can't help it but Porsche is way too ugly to be a "uber"sedan.. nowhere near the cool factor and smooth looks of the Aston.. or the CLS.

[SL65]

Originally Posted by Buktu

I can see the point entirely. The added practicality

Thats the thing. Its not entirely practical.

I don't know what the final production version will be like. But if its like the concept version - it'll have the wheelbase of an S-Class with the rear legroom of a CLS and boot space similar to that of a 350Z.

But production versions usually differ from concepts so maybe they'll change it and give it a more usable shape.

But honestly, I don't care how much rear legroom there is. I want one!

[LeMans GTR]

The Rapide is winning! Thats something I didn't see coming.

[avanti]

don't really like either of them, when will Porsche make a new 928....?

[MadCow809]

Both the Aston and Porsche look pretty hideous IMO.

[bone]

^let's hope never, it looks like shit

i'll take a 944 with 928 engine and drivetrain plz

[avanti]

if it is cool enough for Tony Montana its cool enough for me...

[Night_Hawk]

I'm dying to see the Panamera whenever its finished. Hopefully it looks good.

I wonder if either of these cars are beating the CTS-V?

[ahpadt]

Originally Posted by Speedtouch

I love how they've re-used a 5 year old design.

Fixed.